Lexington, Massachusetts 02420

June 9, 2004

The Most Reverend Sean O’Malley

Archbishop of Boston

2121 Commonwealth Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02135-3193

My Dear Archbishop:

I am writing in support of Sacred Heart Parish in Lexington, Massachusetts. When we moved to Lexington, we chose this parish after looking at several others, based on its culture and its good works of behalf of our less fortunate brothers and sisters.

I am an executive for an international technology company and I know that difficult decisions must be made for the overall good and benefit of all stakeholders. I am at a loss, however, since this decision negatively affects all the respective stakeholders involved.

Sacred Heart has: a viable, financially stable parish; a pastor, religious group and liturgy that is nurturing; a record of service and support of to several causes including our sister parishes in Roxbury, Massachusetts and Haiti.

Sacred Heart benefits all stakeholders:

1. The Parishioners – participate in a parish that encourages them by example to live Jesus’ word.

2. The Community – Both the local and greater communities are served by many outreach programs and ministries such as the Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity.

3. The Children – Young parishioners actively participate in the liturgy and youth groups and their enthusiasm is obvious.

4. The Clergy – We have a vibrant, engaged parish that supports and loves our pastor, the visiting priests, our Religious Directors and the Eucharistic Ministers.

5. Sister Parishes – We support our sister parishes in Roxbury and Haiti in many ways, from financial to personal interaction. There is a real bond between individuals as evidenced by our support of a recent kidney transplant recipient. We are living the directive to take care of all God’s children.

6. The Church – Sacred Heart is a vibrant community which is financially sound and projects the image that the church should display to the world. It is a caring, giving community that is accepting and accomplished.

7. God - Sacred Heart is a true messenger of the Word. It rejoices to itself, it supports the greater community and it ministers to the sick and less fortunate – all for the glory of God.

In the corporate world this organization would be recognized as an achieving, self-actualized business unit, with happy stakeholders that produces excellent results and enhances the reputation of the entire organization. Instead, it is an organization slated to be closed – and end all its good works, achievements. All of the stakeholders suffer.