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St. Brendan Church Update
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Dear Parishioners,
The past 18 months has been a difficult time for our parish family -- and most especially for those in the St. Brendan Church community -- as we struggle with attendance, finances and buildings in need of repair and ongoing maintenance. My thanks to everyone who has kept the fight going, which has been spirited and personally difficult at times, but demonstrates a love for our beloved St. Brendan Church.
The Committee formed by the Cardinal for the Relegation of St. Brendan Church has met for nearly a year and proposed several worthwhile approaches to save the church, the parish and protect St. Brendan School. Bishop Mark O’Connell, JCD, Vicar General for the Archdiocese, celebrated Mass last month with us and during his town hall meeting after announced that Cardinal Séan has accepted the most recent recommendation which will become effective July 1, 2023, and conclude June 30, 2024.
We will proceed together as a parish family in this endeavor because it affects the entire parish. The Us and Them must stop because it is possible to appreciate the beauty and history of both worship sites, mindful of the unique neighborhoods within Dorchester that define St. Ann’s and St. Brendan’s, and together attempt to preserve them. Nothing has changed financially, and we are using reserved funds to sustain the parish. This has been detailed in the parish bulletin for months.
The Parish Council and Finance Committee will assist me as we move forward with the plan and a sub-committee of the Parish Council will be formed to receive written suggestions and proposals for recommendations for fundraising and parish activities. (Click here for more information about using the parish hall or lower church.)
I am pleased to note that members of the St. Brendan Community, already having great success with Hospitality Sunday (and a wonderful pizza Saturday!), have suggested an outside Mass for St. John Paul II Park during July and I know it will be a success. Further details will follow concerning that and other parish events.
Blessed Corpus Christi! And May St. Martin de Porres, St. Brendan and St. Ann intercede for us!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Chris Palladino, Pastor
