Patricia Hébert
837 Edgell Rd
Framingham, MA 01701
June 25, 2004

Dear Most Reverend Archbishop Sean O'Malley,

I was moved by your heartfelt letter regarding the fundraiser "The Catholic Appeal" and the closing of St. Jeremiah's parish. As you stated, my heart is aching. I feel abandoned by my church, but not by my God. He is with me and my family as we grieve for our great loss. 

It is beyond my reasoning to understand how you can close St. Jeremiah's and St. Anselm's parishes. Both are growing, loving and alive in the Faith. Both parish buildings are in excellent condition and seeing to the spiritual needs of diverse growing communities. These churches are more than buildings, which are easily closed, the doors slammed shut forever. They are communities of loving, faithful, like-minded people that have found each other, through the Grace of God, to worship together and to grow together. By closing my parish energy that binds us together is slowly being drained away. I pray to God that wherever we find a parish family to worship with and to grow with that this energy, this faithfulness, and love will be rekindled.

I have heard that both of these parishes will merge with St. George’s parish. Do you know that there is insufficient parking at St. George’s for their current congregation? Cars line the streets when the masses are proceeding. I see the parking at that church as a fatality waiting to happen. 

It is also my understanding that the Archdiocese has taken over the money St. Jeremiah’s parish made from the sale of land. Money that was suppose to be used for a new Religious Education center. Didn’t you ask yourself why would a parish sell land to get monies for a new center if it weren’t a growing parish? Did you know that our parish has the second biggest CCD program in Framingham? In your letter you ask for funds, and I quote, “With your support of our Catholic Appeal, we will educate our children in the faith we all share.” Consider the money the Archdiocese took from St. Jeremiah’s my contribution. After all that money was earmarked for educational purposes.

Sincerely,