The establishment of a quasi-parish in Conshohocken will serve those wishing to participate in Divine Worship in the Extraordinary Form.

Contextual Background

In July 2014, Saint Mary Parish merged with Saint Matthew Parish, both located in Conshohocken (Montgomery County), as part of the Parish Areas Pastoral Planning Initiative taking part throughout the five-county Archdiocese.

At that time, the Saint Mary Church building became a worship site of Saint Matthew Parish and was made available for occasional liturgical use as is customary whenever possible in the case of a parish merger.

Additional information regarding the merger can be found at the following link:

http://archphila.org/archdiocese-announces-parish-mergers-in-philadelphia-as-well-as-delaware-montgomery-and-bucks-counties-resulting-from-pastoral-planning-initiative/

Today’s Announcement

Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that Archbishop Chaput has approved the establishment of a quasi-parish at the location of the former Saint Mary Parish in Conshohocken effective August 1, 2018. This announcement comes in response to an interest for additional pastoral care for those wishing to participate in Divine Worship in the Extraordinary Form.

Prior to making his decision, the Archbishop obtained appropriate consultation from pastors of surrounding parishes, local priests who currently celebrate Mass in the Extraordinary Form, and the Council of Priests.

The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter will provide clergy to serve this new community. A pastor will be appointed prior to the effective date of the quasi-parish’s establishment.

This information was shared with Saint Matthew parishioners at all Masses during the weekend of April 7-8. A copy of the official canonical decree regarding this matter can be found at http://archphila.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/StMaryQParish.pdf.

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Editor’s Note: The Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite is a phrase used in Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum, to describe the liturgy of the 1962 Roman Missal, which is celebrated in Latin.

For additional information on the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, please visit https://www.fssp.org/en/index.htm.

Stephanie Brophy

Associate Director of Communications

215-587-3747 (office)