July 1, 2019

Masses will no longer be held at North American Martyrs Chapel

REGIONAL
Staff report

(Catholic Communications file photo)

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski notified parishioners in Lanesborough and Cheshire over the weekend that Masses will no longer be held at North American Martyrs Chapel in Lanesborough, which is a chapel of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Cheshire.

The closing of the chapel coincides with the transfer of St. Mary’s pastor, Father Matthew Guidi, to Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Southwick.

In a letter disseminated to parishioners at this weekend’s Masses, Bishop Rozanski wrote: “Over these past few years, attendance at North American Martyrs chapel has been waning and the yearly expenses to keep the chapel open have outweighed the income. Given these factors as well as our declining number of priests to cover the entire diocese, it has become necessary to make a decision regarding the future of the chapel.

“I have accepted the recommendation of the pastoral leadership and finance committee of the parish to cease having Masses at North American Martyrs Chapel,” the bishop said.

“While I understand that this decision may be a disappointment for some, please know that much time, effort and consideration has been put into this process,” Bishop Rozanski said in his letter. “I am presently working with the Clergy Commission to plan for pastoral leadership for the parish given our number of priests available for service.”

As of March 2018, there were 124 active priests, 44 retired priests, and 79 parishes in the Springfield Diocese.

In addition to the declining numbers of priests in the diocese, a decline in the number of parishioners also is a factor in the closing of chapels and churches. In 2018, there were 10 baptisms, two weddings, and 15 funerals recorded at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Cheshire.  

In concluding his letter to parishioners, Bishop Rozanski both offered and asked for prayers, saying, “Please know of my prayers for you in this time of transition and I ask your prayers for our priests and future priests who are so generous in seeking to serve God’s people.

“At this time, I ask you to join with your fellow parishioners for Masses and services at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Cheshire,” Bishop Rozanski wrote. “I also humbly request a place in your prayers for me as the Bishop of the Church of Springfield.”