Dear Cardinal O’Malley;
I understand that this is a
difficult time for our church and for you, personally. Having to see parishes
close their doors is never pleasant.
Having to be the bearer of such news to communities under your auspices,
must be especially difficult. I write
this letter, not to make your role more difficult, but to describe as best I
can, the significant role that Sacred Heart Parish in
God called me to Sacred Heart Parish in a time of great turmoil in my personal life. My mother had recently passed away after a long battle with leukemia. As my mother’s illness progressed, I made every attempt to spend as much time with her as I could. One of the most moving things I did with Mom was attend Mass with her and my father at our hometown parish, St. Mary’s Church, in Auburn, New York. Being the only one of my siblings who still attended Mass regularly, these services and our subsequent discussions about the Catholic faith and what it meant to my mother, had an especially profound effect on me. When my mother was unable to attend Mass any longer, she was deeply saddened, as was I, that I could no longer share that experience with her.
Obviously, I felt a great loss over my mother’s passing. Her death also caused me to reflect deeply on my own mortality and spiritual life. Until that time, I had attended services regularly, but had not joined a local parish. Instead, I went from one church to another, never feeling a sense of belonging; never experiencing the true spiritual growth that comes from being part of a loving spiritual community. I felt lost and adrift, with no sense of spiritual direction and purpose.
Living alone and far away from family, felt disconnected and in need of
help in dealing with my questions, doubts, and fears about God, his promises,
and my place in it all. I decided to
speak to a priest, someone who could counsel and advise me, someone who would
be able to address, not only my physical sense of loss and depression, but the
higher levels of need and desire that I experienced. I made an appointment to speak with Father
Nick Spagnolo, a member of the Espousal community here in
I did as Father Nick had instructed. Amazingly, my experience that morning was transforming. Not only was the liturgy wonderful, but the people were welcoming and loving. The sense of coming home and belonging that I felt that morning can not be adequately expressed in words. Father Colletti told me about Sacred Heart and gave me some literature to read at my leisure. As I drove home that morning, I kept hearing my mother’s voice telling me how important it is to do more than just “go to Mass”; we should support and sustain the church, both spiritually and financially. Her words and my experience at Sacred Heart prompted me to join the parish officially and to support and serve in whatever capacity I could. It is as if my mother intervened on my behalf and helped guide me to this place of healing and growth.
Since joining the parish, I have been called to service in many areas: Religious Education, Youth Commission, RICA and Small Faith Sharing Group, just to name a few. The community at Sacred Heart has become my family, providing me with support and growth in ways I never thought possible. The Bereavement Group that I found through Sacred Heart parishioners was vital in helping me deal with the loss of my mother and continues to do so.
The loss of this vibrant community would be a great loss for me, personally, and for many others who have found renewed direction and purpose at Sacred Heart. Many outside the parish have benefited greatly as a result of the generosity and service of the Sacred Heart community, and will also suffer deeply as a result of the closing. Please allow Sacred Heart Parish to continue serving its members, the community, and countless others. Sacred Heart is a unique and special place. If you can keep it alive and active, you will be pleased that you did.
Sincerely;