DETROIT — The Diocese of Grand Rapids released the recommendations resulting from its pastoral planning process “Our Faith, Our Future” on April 12, calling for some parishes to cluster or merge, or to be prepared to do so in the future.

Launched in 2009, the strategic plan is “designed to establish a well-defined direction for future decisions and facilitate change to assure a strong and vibrant Church in the 11-county diocese,” according to a diocesan news release.

Several of the clusters and mergers called for already took place, another five are definitely scheduled for this year, while the rest are contingent on some future triggering event, such as retirement of the current pastor.

A handful of missions in resort areas have also seen their status changed to that of seasonal chapels under the pastoral care of a full-time parish.

“This plan will fulfill the Church’s mission to face new challenges precipitated by changes such as declining or growing populations, shifting cultural attitudes, a new generation of Catholics in the Church, growth of the Hispanic community and fewer clergy,” said Msgr. William H. Duncan, vicar general for the diocese and coordinator of the planning process.

“Our Faith, Our Future” resembles in many ways the “Together in Faith” pastoral planning process that has taken place in the Archdiocese of Detroit, with its Phase II report issued earlier this year.

Grand Rapids Bishop Walter A. Hurley, a former Detroit auxiliary bishop, said, “We entered the planning process with prayerful consideration and with the intention of preserving our churches while developing new or reconfigured administrative structures to support our mission.

“Together, we have sought to create a new energy and vision that will enable us to look to the future with hope and confidence with a collective commitment to build a more vibrant Church.”

The Diocese of Grand Rapids serves more than 178,000 Catholics in west Michigan. Details of the full report can be found at www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org, under News and Current Events.