Introductory Phase:  September-November 2017

• Bishops Conversations – completed
• Standing Committee/Council Discussions – completed
• Clergy Conference (September 2017) – completed
• Compression Planning (October 2017) – completed
• Steering Committee formed – completed
• Western New York Convention (October 2017) – completed
• Northwestern Pennsylvania Convention (November 2017) – completed

Discernment Phase:  December-May 2018

• Bishop Sean meets with the Diocese of Western New York
  • Meetings with leadership (December 2017) – completed
• Listening Process
  • Western New York (February 2018) – completed
  • Northwestern Pennsylvania (April 2018) – completed
• Legal/Canonical Analysis – completed
• Financial Analysis – completed
• Prayer Support – ongoing
• Plan Joint Convention – completed
• Standing Committee Conversations – completed

Standing Committee Decisions:  May 2018 – completed

• Western New York: vote whether to nominate Bishop Sean as Bishop Provisional
• Northwestern Pennsylvania: vote whether to proceed with the proposed partnership with the Diocese of Western New York

On May 7, both Standing Committees voted unanimously to support the proposed partnership.

Implementation Preparation:  June-October 2018 – completed

• Refine financial plan
• Continue planning joint Convention and election process
• Joint Diocesan Convention: October 26-27
  • Election of Bp. Sean as Bishop Provisional of Western New York for 5 years

Bishop Transition Phase:  November 2018-April 2019 – completed

• Bishop Franklin brings ministry to a close
• Bishop Sean and Bishop Franklin work together on a transition plan
• Bishop Franklin retires: April 3
• Bishop Sean becomes Bishop Provisional: April 4

Organizational Transition:  April 2019-October 2020

• Joint Mission Strategy Planning
• Staff redesign and integration
• Implementing possible joint governance structures (eg. COM, Disciplinary Board)
• Develop internal processes