In 2004, the Archdiocese of Boston told 65 parishes they must close by year's end. Archbishop Sean O'Malley has said the closings are necessary because of declining attendance, financial problems, the poor condition of many parish buildings, and a shortage of priests.
In Weymouth, St. Albert the Great was the one recommended for closing in a reluctant vote by committees from the town's five Catholic churches. But the pastor, the Rev. Ronald Coyne, and his parishioners remained convinced that, once the archdiocese checked St. Albert's vital signs, the church would be saved. This series examines their fight to save their parish.
In Weymouth, St. Albert the Great was the one recommended for closing in a reluctant vote by committees from the town's five Catholic churches. But the pastor, the Rev. Ronald Coyne, and his parishioners remained convinced that, once the archdiocese checked St. Albert's vital signs, the church would be saved. This series examines their fight to save their parish.
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Keeping the faith At St. Albert the Great in Weymouth, the end is near, and confusion and anger abound. (6/22/04)
Man in the middle St. Albert's pastor directs the closing of his church while supporting the fight to keep it open. (8/12/04)
'They're throwing us away' Grieving parishioners have likened the closing to a death in the family -- an unnecessary death, a healthy patient killed by a bungling doctor. (8/26/04)
Asleep in the pews It has been 11 days since the vigil began, and parishioners say they aren't going anywhere. (9/9/04)
Staying power If you want peace and prayer, you go upstairs. If you want coffee and camaraderie, you go downstairs. Most people want both. (9/29/04)
A cause for celebration St. Albert the Great has been closed for two months. Parishioners celebrated its birthday anyway. (11/1/04)
Baptism by fire
Kathleen Heck, the archdiocese's liaison to the closing parishes, may have the worst job in Boston. (11/24/04) |
