PHILADELPHIA (PA)
NBC 10
[with video]
[with list of parishes]
Many Catholics attending services throughout the region this weekend are learning the fate of their parish’s future as priests revealed which churches the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will close.
Earlier this week it emerged that Notre Dame de Lourdes in Swarthmore would close, a rumor that was confirmed to parishoners 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!”
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The parish will merge with Our Lady of Peace, which is located in nearby Milmont Park.
As Notre Dame’s faithful are coming to terms with the Archdiocese’s decision, many others in the area have yet to find out what the future holds for their parish.
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.
NBC10 will continue to update the determinations of the self-study as the results are revealed.
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