Friday, July 30, 2010 Letter from Archbishop O'Brien Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, At the end of September, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning Committee submitted its final report entitled, "A Challenge to Change". More than a year in the making, this document presents a vision and a model for the future of the parishes of our Archdiocese based on the concept of "clustered parishes". I want to thank the members of the Pastoral Planning Committee for a very comprehensive assessment of our pastoral situation and for the way forward which they have proposed. At the same time, I want to express my appreciation to all those parishioners who have offered comments and suggestions on the interim report. Since the final report will form the basis for future developments in the Archdiocese, I would encourage all parishioners, but particularly members of Parish Pastoral Councils, to become familiar with its provisions and the implications that these will have for your parish communities. The report is available on the Archdiocesan website www.stjohnsarchdiocese.nf.ca and so can be easily downloaded by parishes or individuals. In the near future a permanent implementation committee will be established to steer this process forward. In this year in which we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the consecration of our Cathedral-Basilica, may the Holy Spirit who guided our predecessors in the ways of faith continue to direct and inspire us so that we may respond to the needs as well as the opportunities which lie before us. Sincerely yours in Christ, MOST REVEREND BRENDAN M. O'BRIEN, S.T.D. Archbishop of St John's 05/11/04