An announcement was made at today's Masses in the Panther Valley regarding the future of the three parishes and Our Lady of the Angels Academy.

According to preliminary details, the Diocese of Allentown's future pastoral plan will include the merger of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Nesquehoning and St. Katharine Drexel parish in Lansford into St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Summit Hill, effective later this year.

Our Lady of the Angels Academy in Lansford, which taught students from preschool to eighth grade will also be closing at the end of the school year.

Complete details are expected to be released from the Diocese on Sunday.