Mater Dolorosa Parishioners Hope for Re-Opening of Church

By Ryan Walsh
The Wwlp
December 25, 2012

www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/mater-dolorosa-parishioners-hope-for-re-opening-of-church




[with video]

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Friends of Mater Dolorosa Church in Holyoke spent their Christmas morning singing and praying that their church will re-open in the new year.  

Mater Dolorosa Church closed in June 2011.

Parishioners spent more than a year protesting the closure by holding a round the clock vigil inside the church.

That stopped in June when the Vatican's high court told protesters to leave the church, but said they will hear the parishioners appeal to re-open the church.

Victor Anop, Chairperson of the Friends of Mater Dolorosa, told 22News he was encouraged by today's turnout.

He said “I was going to be here, and maybe 5 or 10 people, but we had over 50 people.  It's just wonderful. They kept coming.”

The Springfield Diocese merged the Mater Dolorosa parish with the Holy Cross Church, calling the new parish Our Lady of the Cross.