January 8, 2005 - Archdiocese of Boston Closes Four Cape Ann Parishes,
Creates New ‘Holy
Family Parish’ in Gloucester and Rockport
(Boston, Massachusetts) January 8, 2005…The Archdiocese of Boston
announced that St. Peter’s Parish, St. Ann’s Parish and Sacred
Heart Parish in Gloucester, as well as St. Joachim Parish in Rockport
were closed peacefully today and a new parish, Holy Family Parish was
established. Holy Family will be based out of the former St. Ann’s
church on Prospect Street in Gloucester and will continue to use facilities
at the former St. Joachim church, as well as St. Anthony by the Sea chapel
in East Gloucester, which will remain as a place of worship during the
summer months.
“While many are saddened by these closings, the former parishioners
celebrated closing liturgies in a dignified and reverent way,” commented
Revs. Ronald Gariboldi and Timothy Harrison, co-pastors of the new Holy
Family
Parish. “We are grateful to the many members of these parishes
who have worked hard to help us create a new parish which will serve
the needs of the Cape Ann Catholic community. We look forward to welcoming
friends and neighbors to our new parish community as we celebrate the
opening of Holy Family Parish today at a 4:00 PM Mass with Bishop Francis
X. Irwin, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese for the North Region.”
Archbishop Sean O’Malley expresses his understanding of the sadness
many are feeling as their parishes close and shares his heartfelt gratitude
for the parishioners´ help in effecting a calm and peaceful transition
to a new parish. The Archbishop also shared that he is praying for the
Catholic community on Cape Ann as it prepares to move forward at Holy
Family Parish.
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