Church has bittersweet 100th birthday; Parishioners fear diocese might close Sacred Heart of Jesus.Byline: James F. Russell SOUTHBRIDGE - Sacred Heart The Sacred Heart is a religious devotion to Jesus' physical heart as the representation of the divine love for humanity This devotion is predominantly used in the Roman Catholic Church and also used in the Anglican Church. of Jesus parishioners felt uplifted during a Mass yesterday officiated by Bishop Robert J. McManus to celebrate the community's centennial - but their joy was tempered by the uncertainty of whether the Worcester Diocese will keep Sacred Heart open. Bishop McManus told worshippers Sacred Heart is "a place where God has visited his people." He noted that the parish took form with the 1908 opening of St. Jeanne d'Arc Jeanne d'Arc: see Joan of Arc. School, where the first services were held. That was followed by creation of a rectory, a convent and construction of Sacred Heart of Jesus, at Charlton and Brochu streets, which was completed in 1929. In an interview, the bishop said the diocese has not decided whether Sacred Heart would remain open. "No decision has been made. The people of the parish would have to be involved in the decision," Bishop McManus said. All parishes in the diocese are facing scrutiny and must show vitality, the bishop added. Bishop McManus announced the closing of five Worcester churches in a letter earlier this year; the closings took effect July 1. The bishop declined to say when the review of potential church closings would be completed, telling a reporter the process "will be over when it is over." Asked whether Sacred Heart would be getting a permanent pastor, Bishop McManus said, "for the time being," the parish would retain an interim administrator. Sitting at a table with her three daughters at La Salle La Salle, city (1990 pop. 9,717), La Salle co., N Ill., on the Illinois River; settled 1830, inc. 1852. It forms a tricity unit with Peru and Oglesby. Corn, wheat, and soybeans are grown, and cattle and hogs are raised. Reception Center following the Mass, 95-year-old Dolores Dolores (or Delores) was a common given name (until the 1960s in the USA); it is cognate with the English word "dolorous" (meaning sorrowful) and equivalent in meaning. M. Payant said she is urging the bishop to "keep it open, because it is my life." Parishioner Denise T. Dargie said, "I think we are in limbo right now. We are pretty sad. Our kids were baptized bap·tize v. bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing, bap·tiz·es v.tr. 1. To admit into Christianity by means of baptism. 2. a. To cleanse or purify. b. To initiate. 3. , confirmed and married there, as well as I was." The special entrance ceremony escorting the bishop to the altar of Sacred Heart yesterday included 13 Knights of Columbus Knights of Columbus, American Roman Catholic society for men, founded (1882) at New Haven, Conn. (where its headquarters are still located), by Father Michael J. McGivney. swordsmen and close to 30 parishioners, some waving small papier-mache banners. ART: PHOTO CUTLINE: Dolores Payant, 95, front, reads the names of some of her former teachers, the nuns from Sacred Heart Grammar School Having recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, the Sacred Heart Grammar School is one of Northern Ireland's top grammar schools with 875 students and 52 full time teachers. The school is housed on a state-of-the-art complex at Ashgrove, Newry - a 17 acre site on the Northern side of the , which she attended in the 1920s. She is accompanied by her nieces Anita Boiteau, center, and Doris Goudreau, at the reception in Notre Dame Parish Hall yesterday. PHOTOG pho·tog n. Informal A person who takes photographs, especially as a profession; a photographer. : RICH DUGAS |
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