Lexington, MA 02421

June 1, 2004

Dear Archbishop Sean:

Often being a leader entails making agonizing and unpopular decisions.  You are facing a difficult situation as the new leader of this diocese and I respect that you have a vision of the future and have defined a path that will lead us towards healing and growth.   As you have done, the best leaders listen before formulating opinions that will ultimately drive their decisions.   You have said that it is now time to move forward and rebuild and revitalize the Catholic Church in Boston. However, before we turn to that challenge, perhaps you could listen to a collective voice that was previously unheard as it was unprofessed out of respect and obedience to the Church and the described decision making process.  That is the voice of a small community, the voice of Sacred Heart in Lexington.

Sacred Heart has a leader who listens, a good leader. Father Colletti guides by example. It is hard to say no to this man, when he solicits volunteers, money or good acts.  He guides the strong willed energetic people of this parish and has directed their energies towards the creation of a flourishing community which, out of respect and trust, gives readily to Church and society, gifts of treasure, and time, and self.  With the closure of this church will come the loss of that community and all of that harnessed energy.  We will be lost.  Where are we to go?

You might say to us, there are other churches near by that can readily attend to your needs, welcoming churches; but we beseech you to hear us, Sacred Heart is a parish of intent.  Some have searched for many years before finding this place.  A place where Catholicism is practiced by a community that is welcoming and warm, giving and caring, intimate and healthy.  They do not find here a Church that teaches modernism and is antithetical, but a Church that acknowledges all people are equal before God.  They find in this place a people that are inspired by its youth, a people that are consistently surprised by the interest of youth in coming to faith as they are engaged in dialogue that is driven by the attentiveness and wisdom of our parish leaders. Collectively, this is the Catholicism inspired by the profound acumen of Vatican II and the resultant change it elicited, the religion that is mine, and I feel certain is yours.  I do not in any way mean to be disrespectful to members of the clergy, especially those individuals who have served this Church well for many many decades, but leaders define parishes and this Catholicism is not to be found down the street.  We will be lost, our youth will be lost.  Where are we to go?

It has been said many times that it takes a community to grow a child.  In a time of crisis in this Church, I never doubted the fundamental values and goodness of the Catholic people.  I trust this community and I chose this place for growing my children.  When my little boy greets Father Colletti with a hug and when he twirls Father’s sacramental robes in his small hands, Father Colletti bends down to listen and to accept that hug.  This makes me proud and happy and I know my child is growing to love the people that will guide him as his faith grows.  When I take my son to CCD class he is welcomed as a family member and he is taught by action what it means to be Christ-like.  When my children see people from less fortunate places come and offer their gratitude to the people of Sacred Heart, they learn on a personal level what it means when you give to those with less.  My family can be intimately involved with this community and the faith-growing of my children and those around me because it is a personal place.  As I am sure you know, children learn by observation and repetition. My children see the difference that involvement makes to a community – because here at Sacred Heart, so many people play a role that it seems as if everyone plays a role.  In a larger church this is lost.  Archbishop Sean, it takes a community to build vocations.  I have visited many of the communities near me and I fear there is nothing comparable to what grows here. Tell me, where am I to go now, where can I grow my children?

Archbishop Sean, a wise leader knows when to take a second look. You are a strong and good leader, listen for a moment to your people.  Hear our pleas and save us.