Closed church to be used as 'large chapel'
Date: 11/28/2012
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comCHICOPEE — St. Patrick's Church — one of the parishes closed by the reorganization effort undertaken by the Springfield Diocese — will be used again, but it will not be a separate parish.
Father Dariusz Wudarski, pastor of the Holy Name of Jesus parish, explained to
Reminder Publications the building will be like "a big chapel" rather than a church.
Mark Dupont, the spokesperson for the diocese, stated, "Under previously announced actions, the Vatican upheld the decision by the Diocese of Springfield to close the former St. Patrick's Parish and merge its territorial responsibilities into Holy Name of Jesus Parish. The Vatican did, however, indicate that St. Patrick's Church could not be relegated for sale or for any non-sacramental use. This decision did not specifically direct any particular use, allowing for local pastoral discretion."
Wudarski will begin a single weekend liturgy beginning Dec. 1. The weekly Mass will take place Saturdays at 5:30 p.m., except on Holy Days and Easter weekend. Wudarski would have to approve any other use of the building, such as for weddings, or funerals.
Wudarski said, "It was very important to be very sensitive to the needs of the parishioners of St. Patrick's."
He explained that some members of the former St. Patrick's parish "have not found their way" to become active members of the Holy Name of Jesus parish. He acknowledged the combination of the two churches has formed "a new parish community.
"We must take baby steps to form the community," Wudarski said.
For weekly Mass to continue at the former St. Patrick's, Wudarski said a minimum of 100 people must attend each week and the costs of the maintaining the property must be raised.
Wudarski will be splitting his pastoral duties between the two locations.
He called his effort "a pastoral approach to their [the former St. Patrick's parishioners] needs."
"It will be interesting to see the response," he added.
