June 1, 2004

Archbishop Sean O'Malley

Dear Archbishop O'Malley,

I and my wife and three children have been in the parish for 27 years and have served in many ministries.  Sacred Heart is a church that includes many ethnic groups who also serve and have many talents.  This is a place that attracts people from other towns including over a 100 people from St. Brigid’s.

I feel that we support the parish in many ways and I do not want it to close.  There has to be a better way to handle this situation than closing so many churches.  I know that you have a difficult task and I have sympathy for you.  However, I feel that we're all in it together; not just our church but all the other churches as well and that you should be reaching out and asking them for financial aid and explaining why this is taking place rather than with no comment to anyone.

By shutting down so many churches, I feel that you are going to lose so many Catholic people and we can not afford to do that.  When Jesus Christ died on the cross, he did it for the purpose of increasing the Christian community not to diminish it by decreasing the places of worship.

Hoping that you reconsider the far reaching effects of your decision,


 
Sacred Heart Parish
 
Lexington, MA 02421