3 June 2004

Sean P. O’Malley

Archbishop of Boston

2101 Commonwealth Avenue

Boston, MA  02135                

Dear Archbishop Sean:

            I write to appeal to you to please reconsider your decision to close Sacred Heart Church in East Lexington.  There are many reasons and anecdotal stories that I could spend pages writing that would support why it is important to keep our church open.  The most compelling one comes from my own experience which I will share with you.  When I first met my husband he was born and raised Protestant and not open at all to converting to another faith, particularly Catholic.  As time went on and we had children we both felt it was important to raise our children in faith.  We visited both Catholic and Protestant churches and in this process discovered Sacred Heart.   It soon became our home.  We have become very active in the parish -teaching religious education, helping out with projects, practicing regularly and fostering our children’s faith here.  I have been so inspired that I enrolled in at the Institute of Religious Education at Boston College and am earning a dual degree in Pastoral Ministry and Education Administration.  My dream is to start a faith based school that is grounded in the same warmth, hospitality and love that Sacred Heart provides.  My husband recently completed RCIA and this past Easter officially joined the Catholic Church.  We were renewed our wedding vows at Sacred Heart this past spring.  My children are thriving in the religious education program and I enjoy co-teaching the seventh grade.  We have been transformed individually, as a couple and as a family through our faith practice at Sacred Heart – I cannot imagine a more powerful testimony of evangelization than our real experience in this parish.  I would think that the church would not only be interested in keeping this parish open, but to use it as a model faith community.

            I cannot articulate in words how Sacred Heart is able to bring forth the very best in each of us as Catholics.  It inspires us, leads us, challenges us, informs and transforms us.   This sacred space has been a hospitable and welcoming place for all of us who have come together in Holy Community over time. 

            I appeal to you for the future of the Church.  Do not close this vital parish.  Now more than ever we need examples of faith communities that are strong and vibrant.  Communities such as ours can bring a sense of hope and possibility at this time when people’s faith has been shaken to the core.   We must proceed in truth, it is in doing so that we will be set free.

                                                                                    Yours in faith,

                                                                                    Arlington, MA 02476