St. Anthony?s church in the Gatchell should get a new priest soon, says parish council president Rita Verrilli.
The church almost merged with St. Clement and Our Lady of Perpetual Help after four years of sharing clergy and resources in an arrangement called the West End Cluster.
But Verrilli said St. Anthony?s pulled out after an advisory committee set up to choose the new site was not activated, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help had already been picked as the site of the new parish.
The congregation felt their church on Mary Street could accommodate more people. It also has a basement hall, a facility lacking at Our Lady.
It was also felt the Italian traditions of St. Anthony?s would be lost in a move to the Brennan Street Hill. St. Anthony?s was given permission to leave the cluster and stand on its own.
A garage sale is set for May 4 at Delki Dozzi to cover costs and the rectory is being spruced up in anticipation of the arrival of the cleric.
