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	Area Catholic Churches Ordered to Close By Nicole Murphy WQAD May 29, 2009 http://www.wqad.com/news/wqad-catholic-church-close-052909,0,2239754.story [with video] LADD, Illinois - A group of Catholic Churches will hold their last services next month. As of June 17th, The Diocese of Peoria states regular services will be suspended at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Ladd, St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Dalzell, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Spring Valley and St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Seatonville. They say the reason is because of financial problems and low attendance. Father Henry Fritz of St. Benedict's said there's been a decrease in attendance and people don't give as much as they used to. He has been a priest since 1952 and this is the first time a church of his had to close because of expenses. "I knew it was coming. I've been saying it all along," Father Fritz says as he looks down. "This is a very small parish. The overall expenses are getting very high. I don't think the parish could take care of it." He added that the roof needed work, the windows need repair and the rectory is in bad shape, as well. Father Fritz is scheduled to go to St. Bede Abbey in Peru. Other parishioners will have to travel elsewhere to worship as a congregation. "They got Cherry up to the north. They got two parishes in Spring Valley and some will go to Peru LaSalle. There are a number of places," he points out. He adds, "It is very devastating, not for me so much but for the people - especially the elderly, those who have been here for so many years. I'm sympathetic to them because their life is here." But this suspension of services doesn't mean the churches will complete shut their doors. They'll still have weddings, funerals and other functions. The suspension is effective June 17, 2009.
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