This email was sent to 4 members of the committee for whom email addresses were readily available. Paper copies will be sent at the Post Office in the morning to all members and recipients listed below.

-----Original Message-----
From: S Ou [mailto:shukong@ourigami.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2004 12:39 AM
To: Sister Janet Eisner, SND (pres@emmanuel.edu); Marylou Batt (mbatt@lesley.edu); Donna Latson Gittens (info@causemedia.com); Monsignor Dennis Sheehan (dsheehan@fas.harvard.edu)
Subject: Letter to Archbishop O'Malley's Committee to Review Parish Suppressions (paper copy is being sent by mail)

October 12^th, 2004

Lexington, Massachusetts

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

We at Sacred Heart Parish in Lexington were delighted to learn of the formation of your committee, which we understand aims to review the reconfiguration process that has led to the unnecessary closure of many vibrant parishes. Your service in this effort is a glimmer of hope for parishes such as ours which are slated for closure and for those in a number of parishes that have already been closed. Our hope is that you will meet with us to discuss alternative ways of addressing the needs of the archdiocese that will enable our community to stay together.

The reconfiguration process has been flawed from the beginning, and in many instances, completely misapplies the criteria given. Additionally, reconfiguration steps have been taken without taking the time for pastoral guidance and dialogue. We fully recognize the need for the Catholic Church in Boston to address pressing concerns regarding financial and human resources, and we’ve already demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice time, treasure and talent for the greater good; but we can only shake our heads in disappointment and heartbreak as we watch vibrant communities – full of faithful, serving Catholics – unravel before our eyes. We believe that it is not only our right, but our duty to protect our own community and to aid those who are trying to protect theirs.

The reasons given for closing eighty-two parishes in the archdiocese of Boston include a shortage of priests, lower Mass attendance, and high cost of maintaining old facilities. Some, perhaps, on the list of eighty-two, would need to be closed even if the archdiocese were enjoying good times; but many parishes were targeted, not to solve problems within the parish, but to solve a problem within the archdiocese. The ‘solution’ of reconfiguration, however, doesn’t actually correct the problem.

The shortage of ordained clergy is not new. In the Midwestern US, in the Far East, and all over Europe, many solutions to shortage of priests have been tried and found successful, none of which required the suppression of parishes. The remedy of suppression has been a last measure after a parish population has died out or migrated away, and there are insufficient numbers and finances to keep it going. Closing living, growing parishes that serve other communities, near and far, and in the case of Sacred Heart (Lexington) have facilities that are in excellent condition and maintenance, seems contrary to all the criteria given for parish closings.

The model of closing fully attended, growing, vibrant parishes that are already up to date and well maintained, to meet a shortage of ordained clergy, is ill conceived, logically misapplied, unsustainable, and tragically wrong. Because it does not address that shortage, whether by some means of increasing those numbers or by redeploying ordained clergy more efficiently, can only lead to more unnecessary closings. To throw people out of their home is cruel; to force them out of their spiritual home when it is not necessary, is abusive.

We ask that you take these observations to Archbishop O’Malley, and encourage him to clearly demonstrate some measure of compassion by doing the right thing -- reversing his decision to suppress parishes whose members want to stay in their spiritual home and want so much to support the Church. A recent survey of our parish showed a huge majority wanting to stay together as a spiritual community, yet if we were to lose our parish home, almost one in four may no longer go to any church. Surely the loss of these many faithful, resulting from decision that does not solve any of the original problems cited as reasons for these closures, must be loudly and vigorously protested, for the spiritual harm it causes, and for its heartbreaking injustice.

We ask also that there be more open communications between the archdiocese and the laity. Perhaps answering our letters could be a start. We’re praying for the opportunity to engage in heartfelt, respectful dialogue. There is so much local talent and willingness to help, among our worship communities, and really good ideas on how to approach these problems. Please tell the archbishop that we’re all in this together, and that we want to work together to do God’s will.

You are welcome to view our web site (http://sacredheartappeal.org) and those of other parishes listed there, appealing their suppression. Our appeal letters, and hundreds of letters from heartbroken parishioners, are available on the web site.

With our deepest thanks and hopeful prayers,

Parishioners of

Sacred Heart Parish in Lexington

copies to:

Peter Meade, Chairman of the Board, Catholic Charities

Sister Janet Eisner, President, Emmanuel College

Jack Connors, Chairman of the Board, Boston College

Neal Finnegan, Chairman, Citizens Bank of Massachusetts

Marylou Batt, Vice President, Lesley University

Donna Latson Gittens, Chief Executive, Causemedia

Monsignor Dennis Sheehan, Pastor of St Paul Church, Cambridge

Jeanne Lafond, Pastoral Associate, St Patrick Church, Boston

Fr. Arnold Colletti, Pastor, Sacred Heart, Lexington

Parish Pastoral Council, Sacred Heart, Lexington