By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Two area Catholic Churches are being merged by the Diocese of Trenton.
The Church of the Ascension, Bradley Beach and St. Elizabeth of Hungry in Avon will join and become one parish with one pastor.
Each church will retain its building and current name.
According to a letter distributed at masses Sunday “All organizations, ministries, programs, finances, assets and liabilities belong to the one new parish.
The merger means that there will be one new staff formed, one new financial council and a new name may be established with approval by the Bishop.
The combined names of both parishes may also be used.
Parishioners from both parishes were informed that review of the parishes with a possible merger several months ago.
The merger, according to a letter from Most Reverend David M. O’Connell is to take place no later than July 1, 2019.
