Allentown, Pa., Oct 26, 2005 / 22:00 pm
In preparation for its upcoming synod, the Diocese of Allentown has begun gathering input from parishioners on a variety of issues, such as consolidating parishes, developing vocations for the priesthood and financing Catholic schools.
The gatherings, called listening sessions, are implicating members of each of the diocese’s 152 parishes. They are meeting in their deaneries. The Lehigh Deanery, which includes 25 parishes met yesterday. The session for the Northampton Deanery, consisting of 28 parishes, will meet Nov. 3, and the 17 parishes of the Carbon Deanery will meet Nov. 7.
Bishop Edward Cullen has already attended some sessions to simply listen to the people.
Fr. David James, general secretary of the Second Synod of the Allentown Diocese, told The Morning Call that turnout at recent listening sessions has been larger than expected and has included a cross-section of the diocese’s cultural groups.