DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Parishoners exit the Church of the Resurrection in Muncy after the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday. 

Two local Catholic parishes will be brought together in a linkage beginning next month, according to a letter received from the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton

Our Lady of Lourdes, Montoursville, and Resurrection, Muncy, will be part of the linkage which means the two parishes will share a pastor.

“Linked parishes, while remaining independent, are encouraged to do things cooperatively, such as programming, and establish common ministries committees where possible,” the letter from the Bishop stated.

Bambera also announced the appointment of Father Sean Carpenter to be the pastor of the new linkage effective Oct. 1.

“Father Carpenter brings with him a deep commitment to priestly ministry, pastoral care, and collaborative leadership. I am confident he will be able to guide both communities with wisdom, compassion, and a heart rooted in the Gospel,” he wrote.

The move, according to the letter, was prompted by several factors.

“Over the last five years, the Diocese of Scranton has been working to create vibrant expressions of parish life rooted in the life of Jesus Christ through our Vision 2030 Pastoral Planning Process,” Bambera said.

“As we strive to be a “mission driven” church, we must acknowledge and confront the significant challenges we face together, including a fewer number of parishioners, aging buildings and infrastructure, financial challenges, and a diminishing number of priests,” he added.

The change was also necessary due to a reconfiguration of priestly assignments in the Williamsport Deanery. Father Michael S. McCormick, who currently serves as Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, has accepted the new pastoral assignment of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Bastress, and Saint Luke Parish, Jersey Shore, both of which have been served in recent months by a temporary administrator who can no longer continue in that role, Bambera said.

“As we respond to this movement of clergy within our Diocese, I wish to acknowledge with deep gratitude the generosity and collaboration of our priests. They continue to demonstrate true pastoral care by taking on new responsibilities and serving where they are most needed,” he explained.

He noted that the decision is the very first step in a process that will require the involvement and engagement of parishioners at both churches.

“There will be questions and choices that will need prayerful discernment – most significantly an updated weekend Mass schedule,” the Bishop told the parishioners.

“The Pastoral and Finance Councils of both Resurrection Parish and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish will be engaged this coming week to begin the important work of discerning how best to implement this linkage and develop a sustainable Mass schedule that can be supported by only one priest,” he wrote in the letter.

“I understand that change can be difficult and that adjustments to long-standing schedules and traditions may feel like a loss. But I also believe that, with faith and openness, new possibilities for growth and vitality can emerge. We are being called to “carry our cross” together – not simply as isolated parishes, but as one church, united in mission,” Bambera said.