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	Fitchburg Parishes to Mull Mergers By Matthew Bruun Telegram & Gazette May 29, 2009 http://www.telegram.com/article/20090529/NEWS/905290364/1101 FITCHBURG — Changing demographics and difficult economic times are among the factors prompting possible consolidation among the city's eight Catholic churches. The Rev. Robert D. Bruso, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church on Salem Street, said lay representatives from all eight parishes in the city will begin meeting next month to discuss a long-term strategy. "We've been talking about it here in Fitchburg at least since 2003," Rev. Bruso said yesterday. "After six months we'll make our recommendation, which will be reviewed by the diocese, and the bishop will make the decision." Rev. Bruso said mergers of some kind may result but said it was premature to speculate, given that the committee's months of planned talks have yet to begin. Individual parishes are now selecting their lay representatives, he said. "Right now we're in an exploratory phase," he explained. "We're looking for planning for the next 20 years, not just a quick fix." He said the talks are not unlike what's going on at City Hall, where consolidation of municipal services is being discussed. Raymond L. Delisle, spokesman for the Diocese of Worcester, said talks in Fitchburg have been ongoing for years. "What do we need to serve the entire community? Where do we need resources?" he said, describing the nature of the self-analysis. "With eight churches, there is excess capacity in terms of facilities." The process under way now is designed to make sure resources are allocated wisely, Mr. Delisle said. "It's always an emotional process," he said. "A lot of people have a strong emotional attachment to their parish church, but not everyone." The first Catholic church in Fitchburg, St. Bernard's on Water Street, opened in 1847. The most recent was Madonna of the Holy Rosary on Theresa Street, which opened in 1955. Mr. Delisle said some of the churches opened to serve specific neighborhoods, while others targeted certain ethnic groups. The city's demographics have changed since then, however, so the analysis is appropriate. "We really have to think of parishes as organic," he said. The committee's work during the next six months will determine the future makeup of the parishes, Mr. Delisle said. "There is no preset plan that is being dictated to it," he said.
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