Bishop announces North Bay parish closures, mergers

NEWS RELEASE

HIS EXCELLENCY, JEAN-LOUIS PLOUFFE BISHOP OF SAULT STE. MARIE

************************* In announcing the latest results of the parish reorganization process which began last November involving the English parishes of the North Bay and Sudbury regions, Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie reminded the faithful: “Let us not lose sight that the main goal when reevaluating the presence of our Church in each region of our Diocese was to become a more outreaching Church in the spirit of the Gospel.”

In the City of North Bay, St. Rita and Corpus Christi will close by December 31, 2010.

Parishioners of St. Rita’s and Corpus Christi are asked to identify various community and faith development projects or outreach ministries which could be financed by the sale of their church buildings and properties.

St. Alphonsus in Callandar will be amalgamating with Holy Name of Jesus.

Holy Name of Jesus and St. Alphonsus will consist of one parish with one pastor and two sites of worship.

During the course of the next three years, they will work toward the feasibility of building one new church on a new site, centrally located to accommodate all Catholics living in West Ferris.

Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption and St. Peter’s will have the responsibility of serving the Catholic population living within the former territory of Corpus Christi.

After closing eleven (11) churches over the last thirteen (13) years, in the city of Greater Sudbury, Holy Trinity will be amalgamated with Christ the King and St. Anthony will amalgamate with Our Lady of Hope, by the end of the year.

Effective January 1, 2011, Christ the King and Holy Trinity will consist of one parish with one pastor and one part-time assistant priest with two sites of worship.

Also effective January 1, 2011, Our Lady of Hope and St. Anthony will consist of one parish with one pastor and one part-time assistant priest with two sites of worship.

Other results of the parish reorganization process will be announced by mid-July.

Bishop Plouffe states: “Beyond the challenge of these closures and amalgamations, let us not lose our commitment to the Church.

Any parish reorganization is painful and disturbing, not only for those directly involved, but also for parishes not up for review.

In times like this, only faith can give meaning to closure and change and open a door to new beginnings.”

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