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May 19, 2025(Meeting Minutes posted below)
In a letter shared with parishioners this weekend at all Masses, Bishop McManus announced that he is accepting the recommendations from parish committees and the Diocesan Pastoral Planning committee to merge the parishes of St. John the Baptist, East Brookfield, St. Joseph in North Brookfield and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in West Brookfield into one new parish. The new parish will have worship sites at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in West Brookfield and St. Joseph in North Brookfield, which, according to the bishop’s letter, also came from the proposals.
The Bishop also announced that he is “planning to close St. Mary Church in Brookfield and St. John the Baptist Church in East Brookfield.” St. Mary Church is an Oratory which has been part of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish since November 2011.
“Over the past year, many of you have given your time in considering how the Catholic parishes in the Brookfields might be reconfigured to address today’s challenges and the pastoral needs of the future… It is clear that you recognize the need to close some buildings so that you might use the assets to strengthen current ministries and add some lay pastoral staff.”
The three current parishes and one oratory have been served by one pastoral staff for the past few years. Rev. Joseph Rice is the administrator and is assisted by Rev. Donald Ouellette as associate pastor. Religious Education is also offered as one group.
The Bishop has invited the parishioners to make recommendations of a new parish name to Father Rice by June 6.
Bishop McManus wrote, “although the process of change can be painful, let us together pray that the goal of developing a strong community of faith to further the mission of Christ’s Church in the Brookfields will be the light that gives hope.”
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Minutes from Combined Pastoral Planning Committee Meetings held with representatives from all three parishes:
September 23, 2024
October 28, 2024
November 25, 2024
January 27, 2025
April 8, 2025
April 21, 2025