2 June 2004

Most Rev. Sean P. O’Malley, OFM Cap

Archbishop of Boston

2101 Commonwealth Avenue

Boston, MA 02135

Dear Archbishop O’Malley:

I am writing as a visiting priest for Sacred Heart Parish, Lexington. I have been helping there on weekends since 1999 when I arrived here to teach at Weston Jesuit School of Theology. I had known the parish fairly well through friends since the early 1980’s. I am writing to ask you to reconsider the closing of Sacred Heart.

Since my ordination to the priesthood in 1975 I have had the honor and privilege of working at a number of fine parishes (about eight or nine) on a regular basis in various parts of the country. Sacred Heart is near the top of my list of parishes for several reasons. First, it is a healthy worshipping community that has been able to be self-supporting. Second, it is one of the more progressive parishes in the archdiocese – in a very healthy and Catholic way. Third, it has excellent outreach and commitment to the poor both locally and abroad. Fourth, it has a fine religious education program and a growing population of young families.

I realize that this must be a very difficult time for you and other officials of the archdiocese as it is, of course, for so many of the faithful. I would hope as well that you have received many letters of this type because of the devotion of the people to their churches. All the same, I do think that Sacred Heart, Lexington deserves reconsideration because it is such an outstanding parish. As Fr. James O’Donoghue, another of the visiting priests, remarked to me as we were processing to begin the Paschal Vigil, one factor that has not been considered in the closure is the quality of a parish’s liturgy. I am sure that you would agree that this is an important factor in assessing the viability of any parish.

Please know of my continued prayers for you and for your ministry.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

John F. Baldovin, S.J.

Professor of Historical and

Liturgical Theology