As the Families of Parishes grow stronger together, we will prayerfully decide how to ensure vital pastoral life. Every Family of Parishes will initially discern Sunday Mass schedules and locations, bring parish staff and pastoral councils together and develop a plan for parish programs and activities with the long-term goal of becoming one parish led by a single pastor. The pace at which parishes join together within the families will be variable and determined by the readiness of the parishes to move forward.