a different sort of

catholic parish

RE-Born AS AN INTENTIONAL PARISH

The current pastor and canon lawyer, Reverend James Burke raised questions about the condition of the Collaborative he was assigned to serve in Lexington. As in many Collaboratives, geographical proximity and shared faith were insufficient to guarantee a successful union. Questioning whether the pairing was actually hindering the wellbeing of the parishes, he exhorted lay leaders to ask the Archdiocese to reevaluate the Collaborative.

In response to this request, the Vicar General, Bishop Mark O’Connell, made a pastoral visit to both parishes where he celebrated the Eucharistic and shared in hospitality. After the visitation, he asked separate representative groups of parishioners from each parish to meet with him. He proposed the option of dissolving the Collaborative and representatives of each parish agreed to this plan.

Bishop Mark asked that Sacred Heart return to its status as an intentional parish. It was recommended that it draw new parishioners from the surrounding areas who would appreciate its particular style of liturgy, music, service and parish life. The challenge was eagerly and gratefully accepted.

A young girl with long blonde hair and a young boy with short blonde hair seated in a church, with a white basket filled with red and yellow flower petals between them. The girl is wearing a blue dress with white daisies, and the boy is in a light-colored t-shirt. The church has wooden pews, a high arched ceiling, and stained glass windows at the front.

surviving the Odds

Reeling from the Scandal of 2xxx and concerned about a shortage of priests, the Archdiocese of Boston decided to reduce the total number of parishes from x to y in a process called Reconfiguration. A council convened and determined that regardless of vitality or other measures of health, smaller, less centrally located parishes would be sacrificed in suburban areas. On xxx, xx,xxx Sacred Heart was one of xx parishes that were sent notices of suppression (or closure). In the front page article in the Boston Globe, Cardinal Sean O’Malley told the public that they could appeal the decision.

Parishioners organized an appeal and letter writing campaign. Numerous visits were made by many archdiocesan representatives, including a young canon lawyer, Reverend Mark O’Connell. Alternatives to closure were discussed. In the end, Sacred Heart was one of the few targeted parishes that survived.

Follen Road entrance to Sacred Heart

Stability

After the troubles…

Stacked black stones balanced on a beach with blue ocean in the background.

Responding to stress

Uncomfortable with the concept of an intentional parish, a conservative pastor attempted to force Sacred Heart parishioners to conform to strict territorial boundaries. He told active, long-term parishioners, that they were no longer welcome and would have to return to their territorial parish.

Discord ensued, funds were escrowed, the hierarchy become involved. The matter became national news and locals started to refer to it as “The Troubles”.

Eventually the Archdiocese sent out a more pastoral pair of priests to deal with matter. They allowed parishioners to worship at the parish of their choice. Funds were released. Sacred Heart Parish went back to functioning as an Intentional Vatican II Parish.

A white and red bus driving on a winding dirt road through a dark, volcanic landscape with sparse vegetation.

AN INTENTIONAL VATICAN II PARISH

Inspired by Vatican II, under the guidance of Fr. Ulton McCabe…

A landscaped garden area outside a brick church with blooming pink and purple flowers, green bushes, and a small brick wall with a curved top, overcast sky, and an American flag on a pole.

EARLY DAYS

Sacred Heart Parish began as…

A black and white photo of a church with a cross on top, surrounded by trees and bushes, with steps leading up to the entrance and a sidewalk in front.

“WHY I CHOSE SACRED HEART…”

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