By Deborah Straszheim
Norwich Bulletin
September 1, 2008
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/x1577095130/Putnam-Deanery-Priests-say-last-Masses-before-churches-close
Killingly, Conn. — Barbara Koza was baptized at Sacred Heart Church in Thompson about 70 years ago. She was confirmed at the same Catholic church.
She married in the church.
Then she started attending St. Anne Church in Ballouville. For 18 years, the priest there said a Mass every March after her husband died.
Both churches held their last Mass on Sunday.
“It isn’t going to be the same,” said Koza, 71, her eyes damp with tears after the Rev. Philip LeCours said his final Mass.
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| The Rev. Philip LeCours celebrates Mass for the last time Sunday at St. Anne Church in Ballouville. |
Several northeast Connecticut Catholic churches are being consolidated or closed this month because of a priest shortage. At least two said their final Masses Sunday.
Five churches in the Putnam Deanery, which consists of 17 parishes, were closed, including St. Joseph Mission Church in Sterling, St. Ignatius Parish Church in the Rogers section of Killingly, Our Lady of Peace Mission Church in East Killingly, Sacred Heart Mission Church in Thompson and St. Anne Rectory in Ballouville.
Seven other churches are being “yoked,” or having their parishes overseen by a shared priest. The merging allows individual churches to maintain their own buildings, but does not assign them a priest.
James Kenney, a lifelong parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Thompson, is circulating a petition to postpone the closure of that church.
He said he has more than 200 signatures, and expects more.
“There are families that have been there since the original church was built,” he said. Kenney said parishioners have invested a lot of time, money and religious energy in the church, “and then we find out it’s going to close.” He hopes the petition will help their concerns be heard.
At St. Anne, several parishioners wiped their eyes after LeCours spoke to the congregation.
“Twenty-five happiest years of my priesthood have been here at St. Anne. God bless you for making them so,” he said at the end of the service.
The congregation of more than 160 stood and applauded.
“He’s a real old-fashioned priest, is what it is,” said Jim Morrissette, 57. “He knows everybody by name.”
Morrissette’s wife, Deborah Morrissette, 55, said LeCours welcomed families, and was undisturbed by fidgeting or crying of children.
“He always said that their crying is music to him. That’s the way he is,” she said.
“He’s going to be missed,” her husband added.
At St. Stephen Church in Thompson, the Rev. Peter Arulrajan remained composed as the congregation of more than 60 stood up and applauded. His mother and sister, visiting from India, attended the service.
“Both of the Masses today and yesterday were very emotional, but I didn’t want to show it,” he said. “And the reason is, I’m fulfilled in the ministry, so it is a happy moment.”
Church changes
Today, the Putnam Deanery closes five of its 17 churches in northeastern Connecticut. Seven other churches will be “yoked,” or have their parishes overseen by shared priests.
Closings:
St. Joseph Mission Church, Sterling
St. Ignatius Parish Church, Rogers
Our Lady of Peace Mission Church, East Killingly
St. Anne Parish, Ballouville
Sacred Heart Mission Church, Thompson
Yokings:
All Hallows Parish in Moosup with Sacred Heart Parish in Wauregan.
St. John Parish in Plainfield with St. Augustine Parish in Canterbury.
St. Joseph Parish in North Grosvenordale with St. Stephen Parish in Quinebaug.
St. Ignatius Parish Church in Rogers will be served by newly yoked parishes of St. Joseph and St. Anne parishes; St. Anne Parish will close shortly after the yoking.
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