By Rick Pusiak
One of Sudbury?s oldest Roman Catholic churches has received a one-month reprieve. Instead of closing at the end of August, St. Clement will celebrate its last mass Sept. 29.
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Jean-Louis Plouffe |
Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe said the rescheduling was necessary to allow more time for parish changes in the West End.
It was announced early this year that St. Clement, built in the 1930s across the road from Queen?s Athletic Field, would be closed.
A decision was made to create a new combined parish at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help site, the boat-shaped church constructed in the 1970s atop the Brennan Street Hill.
The name Our Lady of Hope was selected a few months ago for the new parish.
The bishop explained the Brennan Street site will temporarily close Sept. 1 and officially reopen Oct. 5. In the meantime, St. Clement will end its days providing church services for both congregations.
?They want to do a few renovations (at the Brennan Street church).
The delay will allow Father John Caswell to be a part of the creation of the new parish.
Caswell, who played a large role in holding together the Roman Catholic community in the West End is slated to be transferred from the combined pastoraliship of St. Clement and Our Lady of Perpetual Help to Christ the King in the downtown core.
Before the arrival of in June of Father Rodgers Mwimba from Zambia, Caswell also looked after St. Anthony?s in Gatchell.
The bishop noted a sense of sadness when a church closes because so many important things in people?s lives have happened there.
?They?ve celebrated as family, they?ve celebrated baptisms, they?ve celebrated weddings, they?ve celebrated funerals, all kinds of very important things,? said the bishop.
Closing dinners for St. Clement and Our Lady of Perpetual Help attracted huge crowds last weekend at the Caruso Club.
No decision has been made yet on the disposition of the St. Clement building. The bishop said its property value will be assessed and the Albert Street site is up for sale.
Any proceeds would go to the new parish community at Our Lady of Hope.
