Welcoming Immaculate Conception, Kenmore. Last weekend, I preached on the news that Immaculate Conception in Kenmore will be closing and merging with our parish in the months ahead.  Below is what I shared.  A special thanks to Robert Koonce, head of Deanery Operations in the Diocese, for helping me craft the message.

This Sunday, on January 11, our neighboring parish Immaculate Conception will be celebrating its last regularly scheduled Sunday Mass. The parish has become overwhelmed by maintenance costs, declining offertory, insufficient savings, and a decreasing parish family. For over a century, the parish has been a vital presence in the Kenmore neighborhood, and in recent years, its former school and convent have hosted several necessary services to those most in need in the community. Fortunately, those services will be able to continue as Catholic Charities will now be assuming control of those buildings while making plans to expand its services.

What does this all mean for us here at St. Francis?  The bishop has asked us to assume the territory of the parish, should it be formally closed. On a practical level, that means we would assume the assets and liabilities of the parish. But more importantly, we would be the place where the spiritual legacy of the parish finds a new home. We would store its records and quite possibly incorporate some of its liturgical art into our own worship spaces. It also means that we have an opportunity to become a partner to Catholic Charities and continue the legacy of service in the Kenmore neighborhood.

Many details have yet to be determined, and my hope is to engage with you and with our potential new parishioners from Immaculate Conception to help discern how best to turn this sad event of closure into the opening of a new chapter of discipleship for us and many others. In the meantime, please keep Immaculate Conception parishioners in your prayers and be on the lookout at Mass for new faces. Our community is always striving to be a welcoming place, and I anticipate it being supportive of our neighbors from Kenmore as they transition to a new spiritual home.

This decision is a testimony for how loving and welcoming our community of faith is to others.  Thank you for your joy, kindness, warmth and love for others as the Body of Christ!  I look forward to the days ahead.

God’s blessing on you always,
Fr. Jeremy