Merger of St. Joseph & St. Luke Parishes

Changing demographics and priestly resources can in our day strain parishes to the point that they can no longer meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of their faithful. Over the last several years, my attention has been drawn to serious issues confronting Saint Luke Parish in North Plainfield. 

After multiple consultations with the pastor, it is clear to me that the following facts are not in question. 

►    Saint Luke's enrollment continues to decline. Since 2019, the number of registered households has decreased by 23%, from 365 to 281.
►    Sacramental statistics do not forecast a change in the parish's current position: in 2024, the parish recorded a single baptism, six First Communions, ten Confirmations, and no weddings. The 34 children of catechetical age are enrolled in a combined religious education program with Saint Joseph Parish in North Plainfield.
►    Approximately 110 people attend one of only two weekend Masses. There are no Mass intentions.
►    The cost of maintaining Saint Luke Parish is not being sustained by the contributions of parishioners. Daily operating and insurance costs and diocesan assessments are being met only by the paying down of a bequest that is now several years old. The parish is not able to contribute to the salaries and benefits of the two priests assigned to St. Luke and Saint Joseph parishes.

In evaluating the two options available for addressing the challenges faced by Saint Luke Parish­ totally suppressing it or merging it with another parish-I concluded that a just cause exists for combining Saint Luke Parish with Saint Joseph Parish. I also note that it is the Holy See's strong preference that territorial parishes be united and not suppressed. 
Consequently, I began the process of uniting by extinctive union (merger) Saint Luke and Saint Joseph parishes in accordance with canon law and the Procedural Guidelines for the Modification of Parishes, the Closure or Relegation of Churches to Profane but Not Sordid Use, and the Alienation of the Same (hereinafter PG) published by the Dicastery for the Clergy on April 30, 2013. 

The specific requirements for the valid modification of parishes by extinctive union have been satisfied. 

►    The union is being undertaken for the aforementioned just cause and for "the spiritual good" of Saint Luke parishioners, who will continue to have opportunities to worship in the church for which they have a strong affiliation (PG).
►    The alternative remedy, i.e., suppressing Saint Luke Parish, was considered, but it was determined that suppression was not necessary and would be much more harmful spiritually than merging with a neighboring parish (PG).
►    The union is supported by the pastor of the two parishes (PG).
►    Parishioners of both Saint Luke and Saint Jospeh parishes have been consulted through their finance and pastoral councils and there has been no opposition to the union (PG); in fact, some elements of parish life, e.g., religious education and the music ministry, are already combined.
►    In accordance with canon 515 §2, which requires the diocesan bishop to consult his presbyteral council prior to altering a parish, I presented the proposal for an extinctive union of Saint Luke and Saint Joseph parishes at a meeting of the presbyteral council on May 8, 2025, and the council voiced unanimous support for the union.

THEREFORE, having examined this matter thoroughly and made provision for all parties involved to be informed and to be heard in accordance with canon 50, being motivated by the reasons given above, and having made provision for the pastoral care and the salvation of souls currently served by Saint Luke and Saint Jospeh parishes, I hereby DECREE 
that Saint Luke Parish and Saint Joseph Parish in the Borough of North Plainfield be merged to form an extinctive union, effective July 1, 2025. 

I further decree that the name of the new parish will be Sts. Joseph and Luke. 
This decree is to be made public by reprinting it in the parish bulletins and on the parish websites. 

Anyone who feels injured by this decree may seek its revocation or emendation by contacting the diocesan chancery (PO Box 191, Metuchen, NJ 08840) within ten working days of its publication (c. 1734 §§1-2). 

Given at the Curia of the Diocese of Metuchen, on this Thirtieth day of May in the Year of Our Lord 2025. 

Most Rev. James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA
Bishop of Metuchen