Statements

As part of the Archdiocese’s revitalization initiative, Renew My Church, the leadership of parishes in the North Shore and Lakes Region groupings have been meeting to discuss the future church, parish and school structures for their areas. They submitted their feedback to the Archdiocese of Chicago and the final structures have been approved.

North Shore Grouping

The Renew My Church North Shore grouping includes Sacred Heart Parish and School (Winnetka), SS. Faith, Hope and Charity Parish and School (Winnetka), St. Francis Xavier Parish and School (Wilmette), St. Joseph Parish and School (Wilmette) and St. Philip the Apostle Parish (Northfield).

Sacred Heart Parish and St. Philip the Apostle Parish will unite to form one new parish, effective July 1, 2018, retaining both churches as active worship sites of the new parish.

St. Francis Xavier Parish and St. Joseph Parish will unite to form one new parish, effective July 1, 2019, retaining both churches as active worship sites of the new parish.

SS. Faith, Hope and Charity Parish will continue in its current parish structure, with a full-time resident pastor.

SS. Faith, Hope and Charity, St. Francis Xavier, St. Joseph and Sacred Heart Schools will continue with their current programming and structures.

Over the next few months, the Archdiocese will work with parishioners to ensure an orderly and smooth transition to the new parish structure for Sacred Heart and St. Philip. The Archdiocese’s Priest Placement Board will work with the community to identify a pastor to lead the new parish. The Archdiocese will similarly work with parishioners to transition to the new parish structure for St. Francis Xavier and St. Joseph in 2019.

With the new parish structures confirmed, the North Shore grouping parishes and schools will work on new ways to implement the Renew My Church vision: to make disciples, build communities and inspire witness.

Lakes Region Grouping

The Renew My Church Lakes Region grouping includes Prince of Peace Parish and School (Lake Villa), St. Bede Parish and School (Ingleside), St. Peter Parish (Antioch) and St. Raphael the Archangel Parish (Old Mill Creek).

St. Bede Parish and St. Peter Parish will unite to form one new parish, effective July 1, 2018, retaining both churches as active worship sites of the new parish. St. Bede School will serve as the school of this new parish.

Prince of Peace Parish will continue in its current parish structure with a full-time resident pastor. Prince of Peace School will continue as the parish school.

St. Raphael Parish will continue in its current parish structure with a full-time resident pastor.

This decision was informed by a scenario created by the grouping team. This scenario proposed allowing St. Raphael an opportunity to continue developing its vitality and identity as a recently formed parish and then to have its status re-evaluated by the Cardinal in the future.

Moving forward, the Archdiocese will work with St. Raphael, and the entire grouping, on efforts to grow in vitality before re-evaluating St. Raphael’s status in three to five years.

Over the next few months, the Archdiocese will work with parishioners to ensure an orderly and smooth transition to the new parish structure. The Archdiocese’s Priest Placement Board will work with the community to identify a pastor to lead the new parish formed by St. Bede and St. Peter.

Through the new parish structure, St. Bede and St. Peter Parishes will unite their resources to create a vital, life-giving parish. With this structure in place, the new parish, in collaboration with Prince of Peace and St. Raphael, will work on new ways to implement the Renew My Church vision: to make disciples, build communities and inspire witness.