Letter of Intent to Close Holy Trinity, Boston, on 30 June 2008

[Serviam1]

The following letter was read at the meeting of the Parish Council of Holy Trinity Church, Boston, on 21 May 2008. The letter announced Sean Cardinal O'Malley's intent to close Holy Trinity Church effective 30 June 2008.

His Eminence repeatedly speaks of "Holy Trinity German National Parish" and the German heritage but makes NO MENTION of the hundred or so souls who attend the extraordinary form every Sunday at 0900. (Note: On 22 April 2007, what was then the Indult Mass for the Archdiocese of Boston was moved from Holy Trinity to a suburban territorial parish 10 miles west of Boston. Attendance there is 250 to 300 in a church with a seating capacity of around 350, leaving little room for newcomers.) Thus, the Cardinal is making no provision for this group of parishioners but simply treats them as if they don't exist. ______________________________________________

CARDINAL'S OFFICE 2121 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE BRIGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02135-3193 May 15, 2008

Rev. John J. Connolly Administrator Holy Trinity Parish 140 Shawmut Avenue Boston, MA 02118-2227

Dear Father Connolly:

After careful consideration and consultation over the course of many years, and after having heard the Presbyteral Council and the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council in 2004 and more recently the Presbyteral Council again in March of this year, I am writing to inform you that I have decided Holy Trinity German National Parish must close. It is clear to me, as well as those knowledgeable advisors whom I have consulted, that the mission of the Church in the Archdiocese of Boston can best be achieved by a reallocation of present parochial resources. It is my intention to make this closing effective as of June 30, 2008.

While Holy Trinity German National Parish was to close in 2005, it was decided to delay this decision to allow the charities housed in the buildings of the parish more time to find new homes. The Medeiros Center has been given space at Our Lady of Victories Parish while Bridge Over Troubled Waters is about to relocate to a new facility. I acknowledge the remarkably fruitful legacy of this parish, and its significant ministry of liturgical music. Its inspiring church building has been a beacon for Catholics in the Archdiocese of Boston and for people of all faiths. Holy Trinity German National Parish has the gratitude of all the Archdiocese for the parish's history of fostering vocations to the priesthood.

While I am grateful for all that Holy Trinity German National Parish has contributed to the history of the Archdiocese, the time has come for the parish to close. Having considered the needs of the Archdiocese as well as the needs and circumstances of the remaining parishioners of Holy Trinity German National Parish, I believe that its German ministry, heritage and culture can continue to thrive in the future. After considering the needs of the Catholic population in Boston, it is my belief that parish consolidation is necessary to more readily serve all the faithful. In addition, due to demographic changes evidenced by a low sacramental index and low Mass attendance, among other indicators, the area no longer requires the presence of a German national parish. Accordingly, I have decided to suppress Holy Trinity German National Parish.

Having heard from you the views of the parishioners, it is my intention that the goods and assets of Holy Trinity German National Parish be transferred locally to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, where the rector will ensure that the German ministry, culture and heritage continue to benefit the people of the Archdiocese. The sacramental records of the parish since 1930 will also be transferred to the Cathedral Parish while records from before 1930 will be maintained at the Archdiocesan Archives.

Father, I realize the difficulty and challenges that closing a parish entails, and I ask for your continued leadership and faithfulness to this process. In that regard, I also ask that you continue to work with Bishop Hennessey and the people of the parish in the challenging days ahead.

Please be assured of my gratitude and appreciation for your ministry as administrator. My decision reflects in no way on the spiritual devotion of the good people in your parish, but comes from the necessity to fulfill the mission of the Church through a different allocation of our resources. I am very grateful to you and your parishioners as you move forward to foster an environment that will effect a successful transition.

With all good wishes and assurance of a remembrance in my prayers, I am Fraternally yours in Christ,

s/+ Sean, OFMCap/ Archbishop of Boston

[weeder]

Is this the beautiful little church that sits beside the Hancock Tower in Boston?

[Serviam1]

No, it is at 140 Shawmut Avenue, just south of the Massachusetts Turnpike and near the Boston Herald, in the South End near Chinatown.
See www.holytrinitygerman.org for more information.
Also, the story in the Boston Globe,
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/05/23/diocese_to_close_two_more_parishes/

[cynwoody]

Here.

[CatQuilt]

I will continue to pray for a miracle but if they close Holy Trinity, I’ll drive to Still River. Yes, Pope Benedict’s motu proprio has done wonderful things here in the Archdiocese of Boston, still just one church which celebrates the TLM every Sunday but hey, the SSPX has opened another chapel in the diocese.

That’s progress.

Thanks Cardinal Sean!

[dangus]

That's Trinity Church, and it's episcopalian. (It's very beautiful to look at.) This is the beautiful "inside and out" Holy Trinity (German) Catholic Church in question:

[restornu]

Is this the same church?

http://www.holytrinitygerman.org/index.shtml

[restornu]

Photos
http://www.holytrinitygerman.org/Holy_Week_Easter_Sunday_2008/holy_week_and_easter_sunday_2008.htm

Sacrifices made for the Traditional Mass
http://www.unavoce.org/news/2005/Boston_Mass.html

[maryz]

Thanks Cardinal Sean!

Indeed. I saw a TV ad -- he's starting (I'm not quite sure what) some sort of massive email list to (I'm not quite sure what here either -- publicize?) whatever; it will include items from his blog. I was just gaping in stunned disbelief, so I didn't catch the details. I'm sure you can sign up to get it . . . if you want to. :(

I thought the explanatory letter (for those with reading comprehension difficulties) on the motu proprio was supposed to be issued before Easter . . .

[CatQuilt]

Cardinal Sean doesn’t need an explanatory letter. He was one of two American bishops in Rome who saw the Motu Proprio before it was published (I believe Abp Burke was the other one). Cardinal Sean has never been a fan of the TLM, nor will he allow the FSSP here.

[maryz]

I am only too painfully aware of all that . . . including his truly laughable statement that he was only invited to the meeting so that the Pope could tell him what's going on in the rest of the world -- as if the Pope has nothing better to do than act as his personal CNN International!

Burke, I hear, is doing a splendid job with the MP! Wonder if there's any chance of a swap! ;-)

[trumbullofboston]

Holy Trinity is the only church in Boston to offer the traditional Latin Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation. I understand there are two churches, one in East Boston and one in Brighton (those are parts of the City of Boston) that offer the Latin Mass but not as the regular Sunday or Holy Day Mass where one can fullfil his obligation.

As was noted in the original posting, there is a Latin Mass in Newton. It's not that far from Boston by car. But—and this is something that readers not from Boston wouldn't know—many persons in Boston do no drive. We get to church on foot or by bus, trolley, or subway. There are trolley and buses to Newton, but they don't get you to that church. And the travel time would be considerable, depending on where in Boston one lives the trip could be well over an hour each way.