Appeal to Vatican, by George Barnes, Telegram & Gazette, May 13, 2010

Appeal to Vatican

By George Barnes
Telegram & Gazette
May 13, 2010

http://www.telegram.com/article/20100513/NEWS/5130699/1116

Above the door as you enter the sanctuary of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church is the Latin phrase, "Haec Est Domus Dei."

"This is the House of God" is its equivalent in English, but unless an appeal by parishioners to the Vatican is successful, Mass will be celebrated there only eight more times before the church is closed by the Worcester Diocese in a consolidation of churches in the city that will reduce Roman Catholic churches from eight to four. The diocese also plans to close St. Bernard, Immaculate Conception and Holy Rosary churches.

When they learned March 7 their church was to close by July 1, members of Sacred Heart Parish immediately took action, sending an appeal to Bishop Robert J. McManus, arguing that their church is financially solvent, in an area of Fitchburg that is seeing residential growth, which should translate into more parishioners, and has an active membership willing to carry many of the burdens of running a church.

Barry Walker of the Friends of Sacred Heart, a group formed when it was learned the church would be closed, said the appeal was rejected and they have now turned their attention to Rome in the hope of having the bishop's decision overturned. Mr. Walker said they have hired canon (church law) lawyer Carlo Gulla, who filed an appeal with the Congregation of the Clergy, but expect they will have to go to another step if they hope to get their parish restored.

Friends of Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Church members have petitioned the Vatican to save the Fitchburg church from closing. Theresa Pierce and Barry Walker are members of Friends.

"Always in the past they have gone against an appeal," he said.

The next step is the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. What chance they have there is uncertain. Mr. Walker said that although churches across the country are not appealing closings, 10 churches in the Boston area are seen as a test case. A decision on those churches is expected this month.

The Boston churches have been waiting five years for a decision from Rome. Parishioners have been holding round-the-clock vigils to draw attention to their effort to save their churches.

The Friends of Sacred Heart have several specific reasons why their parish should not be closed. Teresa B. Pierce, 57, whose family has been involved with the church for generations, said there is no financial reason to close it.

"We always run in the black," she said.

The church is also in sound condition and there is a trust fund parishioners have used to install a new boiler, keep the roof in tip-top condition and deal with any issue as it comes up.

The church building itself is one reason parishioners love the church.

It is a beautiful yellow stucco church that is perched on a hill on Cottage Street overlooking West Fitchburg. Inside, the sanctuary is breathtaking, with three large paintings as a backdrop to the altar.

The church was built in 1879 — the second Roman Catholic parish in the city after St. Bernard Church. St. Bernard will close under the edict from the bishop, but its name will live on. Plans are to change St. Camillus de Lellis Church to St. Bernard Church. On the lawn in front of the church is the grave of its first regular priest, the Rev. Thomas S. Hanrahan, who served the church from 1896 to 1933. What will happen to his grave is uncertain.

Although there were rumors of church closings and a committee had been formed in the city to look at consolidation of parishes, Mrs. Pierce said it was still a surprise when Sacred Heart was named as one of the four to be closed.

"I don't think anyone ever expects it to happen to them," she said. "I think a lot of people were heartbroken and some were just in disbelief. It was like a nuclear blast going off."

Mr. Walker said he had been following the deliberations about consolidation so he was not surprised when it was announced.

"Still, it was hard to hear," he said. "We have over $4 million in savings."

Mr. Walker said all the churches in Fitchburg are generally in good financial condition. He said one owes about $40,000, but the rest operate debt-free. The property and buildings owned by Sacred Heart are worth more than $1 million. Along with the church, the parish owns a rectory building, which Mr. Walker said is also in good condition. He said a lack of priests may be the reason for the consolidation of parishes, although it is not a valid reason to close a church under canon law. Sacred Heart already shares a priest, the Rev. Frank L. Liistro, with Madonna of the Holy Rosary Church, which is also slated to close.

Mrs. Pierce said that if people visited Sacred Heart they would realize what jewels the church and congregation are. About 80 to 100 people attend the one Mass each week at the church, but the parish also operates an active day care center, which would remain open for one year after the closing of the church regardless of the outcome of the appeal.

"This is a very vital parish," Mrs. Pierce said. "It's not just the church that is important. It's family. It's like going home."

The final Mass is expected to be celebrated at the church June 27. The church will be closed while the appeal is being considered. Parishioners are planning to get together the day before to celebrate the 131 years the church has served the people of West Fitchburg and swap stories and remembrances.

"It's sad," Mrs. Pierce said. "It's going to be a sad day."

Contact: gbarnes@telegram.com