Bishop David Zubik of the Pittsburgh Diocese.

Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced the merger of 188 parishes in six Western Pennsylvania counties into 57 parishes, most with multiple churches in each new parish.

Every Catholic Church in Butler County was affected by the reorganization, which was carried out for efficiency and to bring new energy to Catholic churches in the diocese.

Known as "On Mission for the Church Alive", the reorganization will combine the following parishes into a single parish:

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li] Mater Dolorosa and St. Joseph in Chicora and St. Wendelin near East Butler.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]St. John in Coylesville, St. Joseph in Cabot and St. Mary of the Assumption in Herman[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]St. Alphonsus in West Sunbury, St. Christopher on the Lake in Prospect and St. Peter in Slippery Rock[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]St. Paul, St. Peter and St. Michael in Butler, plus St. Andrew in Center Township and St. Fidelis in Meridian[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]St. Ferdinand in Cranberry Township, St. Gregory in Zelienople and Holy Redeemer in Ellwood City[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Holy Sepulcher in Middlesex Township and St. Kilian in Adams Township[/naviga:li]

The new parishes and their accompanying mass and clergy schedules will take effect on Oct. 15, according to the diocese website.

Read more in Monday's Butler Eagle.[/naviga:li]