The first Boston parish closings dates have been handed out. Twelve of the smallest parishes or those in the worst physical shape have been told they must pick a closing date that comes before September 1. It’s good that the archdiocese is giving some flexibility. After that the rest will occur between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31 and then between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31.
The setting of dates is leglally significant because once a date has been set then the appeals timeclock starts. But as the archdiocese has made clear, it’s very unlikely that any appeal will be successful.
In Boston, the parishes that will close first are Sacred Heart in the North End, St. Ann in the Fenway, St. Mary Star of the Sea in East Boston, Our Lady of the Presentation in Brighton, St. Joseph in Hyde Park, and Blessed Sacrament in Jamaica Plain. Outside of Boston, the parishes that will close over the summer are Assumption in Bellingham, St. Alphonsus in Beverly, St. Margaret in Brockton, St. Joseph in Lincoln, Sacred Heart in Medford, and St. Anselm in Sudbury.
Interesting on a personal level: I was baptized in Blessed Sacrament in Jamaica Plain. We moved from the neighborhood in 1972 so I don’t remember the place at all and it has since become, shall we say, “blighted.” I’m sure that there isn’t a single Catholic in the archdiocese who isn’t touched in some way by the closings.
Hey Dom! I was baptized in Blessed Sacrament as well, but in… 1959. My father was baptized there, his mother was baptized there and our family lived in a three decker in view of Blessed Sacrament since 1895 when they came over from Ireland and bought the house. My aunt and my grandmother both went to Blessed Sacrament school (girls grammar and hs) which is closed now.
I’ve been back to visit Blessed Sacrament a couple of times in the last few years but the Church is always locked (this is during the week). I want to see the inside again because I haven’t seen it since 1966. I wonder if the side altar still contains the wax life size figure (containing relics) of St. Tarsisius?
You know at one time Blessed Sacrament was supposed to be made a basilica and Mayor Curley kind of kyboshed it? His parish was St. Thomas Aquinas in JP and there was a sort of rivalry between the parishioners of the two parishes at that time.
Hey Dom,
Any word on the little chapel on the waterfront that has the 7pm AND 8pm Sunday evening Masses for sleepers and slackers…ok, I went there sometimes, even just for the fun of it. Will that stay open? It’s not a parish, so …just curious.
Jen,
Do you remember the name of it? I don’t recall that any chapels or shrines are closing, if that is indeed what it was.