PARISH MEETING OF OCTOBER 17, 2004

Background Information

The diocese of St. Louis is in the process of assessing the number of parishes and schools in the St. Louis area. Earlier a set of proposals had come down for North County Churches. Currently the diocese is in the process of assessing the South St. Louis Churches and St. James among them.

This meeting was one for the diocesean committee to present its “observations” to the people of St. James and to gather any further relevant data before their reflections and final recommendations which are to be made in the month of November. After that the Archbishop will announce the final decisions.

Below is the summary of these observations presented to St. James parishioners today.

This is an EXTREMELY positive outcome for St. James Church and School, and for the whole neighborhood of Dogtown. I am sure that the entire neighborhood is hopeful that these “observations” are very close to the final decisions announced later this year or early next year.

Bob Corbett

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St. James the Greater Parish
OBSERVATIONS

1. The parish membership has declined from 721 households in 1995 to 620 in 2003; it appears to be relatively stable at about 600 households for the foreseeable future.
2. Redevelopment in the area is hopeful. While it brings back population, it may not enlarge the number of children in the population.
3. School enrollment has been stable at about 160. However, the school operates at 57% of capacity with class sizes of 14 to 16.
4. Many improvements have been made to the facilities funded by recent capital fundraising. The only major facility question remaining is the utility of the convent.
5. The church uses 28% of its capacity on a typical weekend. Average Mass attendance is 139 persons, and the church seats 500.
6. The parish is financially stable.
7. New pastoral leadership has reenergized both the parish and the school. A new Parish Council has been created, and leadership among parishioners is being encouraged and empowered.
8. St. James the Greater Parish, while part of the South City Deanery, has more in common with the cluster of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Little Flower Parish, and Immaculate Conception Parish (Maplewood) in terms of its demographic profile and geography.
9. Any changes that might impact St. James the Greater Parish and School will have little or no impact on parishes or schools in the South City Deanery; and likewise, changes in the South City Deanery will not significantly impact St. James the Greater Parish. The need for strategic planning for St. Luke the Evangelist Parish and School, Little Flower Parish and School and Immaculate Conception Parish is evident and the pastors agree that St. James the Greater Parish and School should be an integral participant in planning for this area.

RECOMMENDATION

St. James the Greater Parish and School should continue to serve its community until a strategic planning process can be established involving Little Flower Parish and School, St. Luke the Evangelist Parish and School, Immaculate Conception Parish, and St. James the Greater Parish and School.