Bishop Sean Patrick O’ Malley

Archdiocese of Boston

Boston, Massachusetts

June, 2004

Dear Holy Archbishop,

We are writing this letter as a plea for reconsideration of your decision to close Sacred Heart Parish in Lexington. We believe that it is neither fair nor just to close a strong and viable parish just because there is an equally strong and viable parish across town. We believe that closing Sacred Heart Parish is a disservice to the community of parishioners here as well as to the many outreach programs that our parish has established outside of Lexington.

I have been moving up and down the Northeastern United States over the past decade because of my studies. I have been in parishes from New York, Baltimore, Ohio, and Boston. When I came to Boston in 1998 I was initially at St. Catherine’s in Back Bay for under two years, then Immaculate Conception Parish in Malden for another year, before finally settling down here at Sacred Heart Parish in Lexington for the past 3+ years. I have found a home here. Sacred Heart Parish is as strong and vibrant, perhaps even stronger than most of the parishes all over the East Coast where I have become a part of, over the years.

Since we moved to Lexington, my wife and I have had two young toddlers, both of whom were baptized at Sacred Heart Parish. I am a full time professional trying to establish a career while my wife is still in school. We have our hands full trying to raise our children. Sacred Heart Parish has welcomed us into the fold and is a source of support. In addition, we have become supporters of the parish and surprisingly have found time to share our time, talent and treasure. Our food pantry contribution has become a routine, we share with less fortunate parishes including for missions outside the US, and we help in fund raising activities. We attend family socials whenever we can and have enjoyed the company and fellowship. We have even participated in efforts to develop a parish e-mail program for the Stewardship Committee of the parish.

We appreciate that there are many challenges that the Archdiocese has to overcome. There are many parishes that are no longer viable. Sacred Heart Parish is not one of these problem parishes! Please don’t spend the time to destroy what is strong and viable. I am reminded of the airline reminder: “ Please put your own mask on before assisting others…if you’re in an emergency exit, please be sure you are willing and able to perform the expected responsibility, otherwise we may transfer you…”. Sacred Heart Parish already has its mask on and is willing and able to assist the Archdiocese as a strong and viable parish! Please redirect your efforts towards areas that need them the most. Use strong and viable parishes to establish “sister-parish” links with weak or new parishes around the Archdiocese. But please do not destroy flourishing parishes like Sacred Heart Parish in Lexington.

If it is a financial issue, Sacred Heart Parish is not a financial burden to the Archdiocese. We contribute to the coffers of the Archdiocese. If it is the need to sell the property of the church, please reconsider because the parish is made up of people. You will be disrupting a strong catholic community for the dollars that will be raised by selling property. We hope and pray this is not the motivating factor. If you need more priests, there are other ways to recruit priests. A strong and viable parish like Sacred Heart can recruit priests much better whole, rather than closed. All the priests that assist Father Colletti have said that they are gratified by their experience in our parish. They are very proud of our community.

I extend this plea on behalf of my family. Please reconsider your decision to close Sacred Heart Parish in Lexington. Let the parish undergo a positive experience and help you in solving the problems that face the Archdiocese. Please do not create a problem where there is none. We are not a perfect parish…but we are strong and viable. For the sake of our family and all the families here, who want to see their children grow up to experience what we have, please reconsider. May the Lord bless you and keep you…may the Lord shine his face upon you…and may he guide you to the appropriate decision. We pray for our parish and we pray that you receive God’s grace for compassion and wisdom.

Lexington, MA 02421