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‘One Parish Family’

Merger of St. Joseph and St. Luke parishes in Warren County takes effect on Monday

St. Joseph Church

St. Luke's ChurchThe merger of two Catholic parishes in Warren County officially takes effect on Monday.

“On Feb. 13, 2017, the Roman Catholic Parishes of St. Joseph in Warren and St. Luke in Youngsville will be officially merged into one parish family,” the Rev. Rich Toohey said in a Friday release. “The newly-formed St. Joseph Parish (which is the people) will maintain two church buildings — St. Joseph and St. Luke.”

The other Catholic parishes in the county, Holy Redeemer in Warren and St. Anthony of Padua in Sheffield, were similarly merged in December. The Rev. Jim Gutting is pastor of the combined Holy Redeemer parish.

“Members of a transition team from both communities have been meeting the last four months in Youngsville and Warren as a part of the period leading up to the merger,” Toohey said. “This transition period has been a time of adjustment, learning, praying and growing in faith. It has involved all members of both parishes and the Diocese of Erie.”

“The diocese developed guidelines for each parish to use during each phase of the Transition which was recognized as a key component for this process,” Toohey said. “The Transition team organized prayer services and social events to unite and prepare the parishioners.”

“St. Joseph hosted the first Transition Gathering on Sunday, Dec. 4 and St. Luke hosted the second gathering on Sunday, Jan. 29,” he said. “Over one hundred parishioners from both communities came for the first gathering while over seventy came for the second — including Fr. Rick Tomasone, the new pastor of the newly formed parish — and both were successful in building this community through God’s grace.”

Tomasone returns to his home parish from the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Mary parishes in Jefferson County. He will replace Toohey, who has been reappointed as the pastor of Our Lady of Peace in Erie.

“The beauty and hope for this merger is an overall positive impact on many,” Toohey said. “The new parish has more resources financially and in membership which will be available to provide for the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the parishioners and those in our community.”

“By combining resources and worship, there is opportunity for more efficiency and vibrancy in all parish life,” he said. “The parish can grow in our current ministries and explore other possibilities, and this expansion will hopefully provide support for the youth, the poor, the sick and the marginalized.”

“Ultimately the merger will help the parish to grow in its relationship with God and therefore be a more effective witness to our Catholic faith,” Toohey said. “The united parish looks forward to welcoming new and returning members of the Catholic Faith. The transition team is grateful for how all members of the new parish are giving their worries and fears to God, and embracing the journey ahead and the working to build a stronger and more united kingdom of God.”

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