Lexington, MA 02420

5/30/04

Dear Archbishop O'Malley,

On this Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the Church, we are saddened at the prospect of losing our faith community here at Sacred Heart Lexington.

In today's second reading St. Paul tells the Corinthians in 12:4-6 "... there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of service but the same Lord; there are varieties of activities but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone."  Sacred Heart invites all members to find their gift and contribute to our faith community.  In prayerful service, we support each other in small faith groups, liturgical ministries, outreach to our Lexington community and the wider Church.  We support our sister parishes in Roxbury and Haiti spiritually and financially.  We provide meals for Rosie's Place and Project Bread. We minister to the sick and dying.

Our youth group is alive and growing as witnessed by you at the gathering at Merrimack College in December. Monthly youth Masses brought together all youth for prayer followed by fellowship.

We are a community of active Catholics who live and share our faith.  Our parish is growing. We have an increase in the number of Baptisms and financial support that exceed that of Saint Brigid's.

As parishioners of Sacred Heart for twenty-seven years, we disagree with your assertion that Saint Brigid's can replace our present faith community. Many Sacred Heart members were from Saint Brigid's and left there to worship and serve at our unique parish.

We ask that you reconsider your decision and allow Sacred Heart to remain open.