Thirty-nine parishes will take on new names when mergers take effect this summer. All parishes have written action plans with emphasis on evangelization.

SAGINAW- In a significant step toward restructuring parishes across the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, 39 churches are coming together in new parish communities with new parish names effective this July 1, 2013. Additionally, all parishes in the diocese have written their own action plan to revitalize parish life and will focus on areas such as providing enhanced educational programs for young people and adults, nurturing vocations and living out the Church’s mission of evangelization.

“The parish name changes and action plans, along with the recent assignments of parish leadership, bring us another step closer to enlivening and enriching our parishes,” said the Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw. “I realize that it is still difficult for some to accept the decision to merge parishes, however, we must move forward together to do the work of evangelization in the name of Jesus Christ.”