The decision to close one Catholic church in Elliot Lake has been made. After numerous considered factors, the recommendation to close Paroisse Ste. Marie Church was decided.
More than 200 parishioners from both parishes came together tonight at Paroisse Ste. Marie Church to hear the final decision from Bishop Marcel Damphousse,
“This decision I am announcing is a very difficult one to make,” said Damphousse. “It’s mine to make as the Bishop. I wish I didn’t have that decision to make but as the Bishop, it is mine and the last thing a Bishop wants to do is close down a church. We had to choose between two beautiful parishes. We don’t have the means to keep both parishes open.”
“The Ste. Marie Church will be closed within the next few months and that Our Lady of Fatima Church serve as the place of worship for all the Catholics of Elliot Lake,” he said, stemming from the press release.
The decision to close Paroisse Ste. Marie Church stemmed from multiple factors, said Damphousse. Some of them being economical.
“The diminishing numbers of people attending masses, diminishing revenue and increasing operating costs,” he said, explaining the reasoning behind the closure of the church. “With fewer parishioners, most of whom are elderly, it has become evident that Elliot Lake can no longer afford to maintain and sustain two church buildings.”
Damphousse also explained that due to the fact that Our Lady of Fatima is a smaller church, it would be more accessible for visitors and the elderly to come together at the smaller place of worship.
The closure and move, Damphousse said, will most likely take effect in mid-February, which is the beginning of lent. He anticipates the move will take place Wednesday, Feb. 14, on Ash Wednesday.
A committee of six members (three from Paroisse Ste. Marie Church and three from Our Lady of Fatima Church) will be selected to help finalize a decision as to how to proceed with the merger.
“The Bishop, in consultation with the Pastor, will strike a committee composed of three members of each of the two Parishes,” he read. “This committee will report to the Pastor and will be given the following mandate: to assist the Pastor in the implementation of the transition phase and to study three possible organizational models for the organization of Catholic parishes in Elliot Lake and to recommend the model that will best meet the needs of Catholics in Elliot Lake.”
The three organizational models that were referred by Damphousse are:
- Have a shared building, meaning the two parishes would coexist in one church but still remain as separate parishes
- Have a full merger, meaning the two parishes are abolished and all Catholics will unit to form one new parish with a different name
- Have one parish amalgamated, meaning one parish is subsumed into the other one with one parish remaining.
Until a final decision has been made regarding both parishes, all schedules will remain the same in both parishes and all pastoral services will remain being given in both English and in French.
Father Anthony Man-Son-Hing, who celebrates masses in both parishes, expressed his feelings of sadness on the closure of Paroisse Ste. Marie Church.
“This has not been an easy decision and I know that many people are very heartbroken,” he said. “It will be very important for all Catholics in Elliot Lake to recognize the pain and hurt being experienced by their brothers and sisters and to do whatever they can to help those who are in need.”
Damphousse expressed his gratitude towards Man-Son-Hing and his dedication to both parishes.
“I truly appreciate all of his hard work,” he said. “He took the challenge and accomplished it. He’s done a wonderful job.”
Parishioners wishing to express concerns regarding the decision and the future of Paroisse Ste. Marie Church and Our Lady of Fatima Church can do so by expressing their views by either letter or by email.
Elliotlaketoday.com will keep updating the story as more information becomes available.