Merger Decisions Announced for Port Chester

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Cardinal Dolan has written to parishioners at four Port Chester parishes, announcing the decisions for parish mergers in that community, the archdiocese announced June 12.

Last November, the cardinal announced that a plan would be developed in consultation with the parish leadership of the four affected parishes, as well as with the Salesians of Don Bosco religious order, who will assume pastoral care for Port Chester Catholics. The discussions were part of the Making All Things New pastoral planning process.

After more than six months of additional discussion and review, and after consultation with the archdiocesan Priests’ Council, it was decided that the parish mergers would occur in two phases.

In the first phase, on Aug. 1, Corpus Christi parish and Our Lady of the Rosary parish will merge. Corpus Christi has been designated as the main parish church and Our Lady of the Rosary will continue to be used for Masses and sacraments. Also on Aug. 1, Sacred Heart of Jesus parish will merge with Our Lady of Mercy parish, with Our Lady of Mercy designated as the main parish church and Sacred Heart of Jesus used only for special occasions. Masses and sacraments will not be celebrated at Sacred Heart of Jesus on a regular basis.

The second phase will go into effect Aug. 1, 2017 when, with the cooperation of the Salesian community, the parishes of Corpus Christi-Our Lady of the Rosary, and Our Lady of Mercy-Sacred Heart of Jesus, will merge, with Our Lady of Mercy designated as the parish church.

Cardinal Dolan thanked Catholics in Port Chester for their patient cooperation throughout the process, and the Salesian community for undertaking the new pastoral work, saying, “I am grateful to the parishioners of Port Chester who provided me with their thoughtful input on how the Church could best serve the religious and spiritual needs of the people. Great appreciation must also be expressed to the Salesians,” he said of the order known for their work in evangelization, particularly among young people, “in taking responsibility for this new parish structure. I am confident that this will lead to an active and vibrant Catholic community in Port Chester!”

The official decree of the mergers is posted on the archdiocesan website. Access archny.org/decree-6-11-15.