Local Catholic Churches to Close

NBC 10
June 1, 2014

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/At-Least-3-Local-Catholic-Churches-to-Close-261402731.html

Officials with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia revealed the fates of 46 churches in our area.

The Archdiocese announced their decisions to merge parishes in Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery and Bucks counties.

Many Catholics attending services throughout the region this weekend learned the fate of their parish as priests revealed which churches the Archdiocese of Philadelphia would close.

Earlier this week it emerged that Notre Dame de Lourdes in Swarthmore would close, a rumor that was confirmed to parishioners Saturday. The church will close June 30.

"We's been here for almost 38 years," said Laura Peterson. "So I've watched my children grow here and be baptized here and be married here!"

The parish will merge with Our Lady of Peace, which is located in nearby Milmont Park.

A committee -- made up of lay persons, priests and Archdiocesan personnel -- presented Archbishop Charles Chaput with three possible recommendations for each parish: to merge, to complete additional evaluations in the future or maintain their current structure and develop a plan for long-term sustainability.

Here is the full list of churches and the decisions that were made:

After the mergers become effective, there will be 219 parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

"The mergers being announced today are due to a number of factors including a shift in Catholic population, a high density of parishes in a small area, as well as declines in Mass attendance, Sacramental activity, the availability of priests to staff parishes, and a review of facilities," said Archdiocese spokesman Kenneth Gavin in a released statement. "In each instance of a merger, parishioners will attend daily and Sunday Mass at the church of the newly formed parish. The church(es) of the former parish(es) will become a worship site(es). Worship sites will be utilized for weddings, funerals and feast days, as well as traditional and ethnic devotions. Sunday Mass may also be celebrated at worship sites at the discretion of the pastor and the newly formed pastoral council and depending upon the availability of clergy."