Four Camden County Catholic churches to be consolidated into single parish

As part of a continuing reconfiguration of the Camden Catholic Diocese, four more churches - all in Camden County - will be consolidated into a single parish serving nearly 3,400 families.

St. Lucy and Sacred Heart, both of Winslow Township, and Assumption in Waterford Township - which together formed Blessed John XXIII parish - will be joined with St. Anthony Parish in Waterford on Nov. 10.

The new parish will be known as Christ the Redeemer and will be based at Assumption.

The change was ordered this month in a formal merger decree, the 28th by Bishop Joseph Galante since he began reconfiguring parishes in June 2009.

Intended to improve pastoral care and strengthen parishes, it comes after more than a year of study by parish and deanery planners.

The study considered population and demographic trends, the number of diocesan priests available for ministry, Mass attendance, and trends in religious practice.

In the end, it determined that many parishes could address key pastoral priorities only through consolidation.

Once that process is completed, the number of parishes in the diocese will be reduced from 124 to 68, church officials said.

The changes have not always come easily. The diocese includes Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester and Camden Counties.

"It has been a difficult time for all of us," said Inge Strock, a member of Blessed John XXIII, who has lived across the street from St. Lucy's Church in Blue Anchor for more than 55 years. "Yet I am proud and honored to be part of the future plans for the parish, and I am happy to move forward now to begin the new journey with the help of God."

Parishioners should consider the consolidation as an opportunity to share traditions with a larger audience, said John O'Donnell, a member of Assumption parish.

"As we become closer to becoming one parish, I am filled with several emotions, including relief, sadness, hopefulness, pride and determination," he said. "I am determined to do my part to ensure that Christ the Redeemer becomes a vibrant parish filled with the many rich traditions and customs of Blessed John XXIII, St. Anthony's, and Assumption."

The Rev. Thomas Barcellona, the priest convener for the consolidation, has been named pastor of the new parish for a six-year term.

"The new parish family of Christ the Redeemer will start off with over 20 ministries from social outreach to evangelization, prayer quilt for the sick, and many more," he said. "We will incorporate the many traditions and festivals . . . in our liturgical celebrations and parish life."