Church of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is with heavy heart that I share that the celebration of weekend Masses will end after the celebration of the Masses on September 6 and 7, 2025. As you are aware, a recourse has been filed in response to the Decree published by Bishop Fernandes and has been sent to the Dicastery for the Clergy at the Vatican. This remains in process and we await a response. Bishop Fernandes has directed that weekend Masses cease. However, the Blessed Sacrament will continue to be reserved in the Tabernacle and that two weekday Masses a month be celebrated at Church of Our Lady. Wedding Masses and funeral Masses will continue to be celebrated as well. It is my understanding that the church will be available for prayer, prayer services, devotions, Exposition and Benediction.

The details of such are in the process of being discerned and will be published as well as Religious Education details. The Bible Study Programs will also continue. There are many details that need to be addressed, and the parish staff will continue in their positions and will be compensated.

We cannot ignore that there are and will continue to be many feelings, thoughts and reactions within Our Lady’s community. What has been most impressive to me since my appointment as Administrator at Church of Our Lady is the faith life and devotional life of the community as well as its diversity. It is my hope that, despite our grief and such feelings as anger and disappointment with the institutional Church, we will not turn away from or deny ourselves the Eucharist as it is the “Source and Summit” of our Christian, Catholic and sacramental life. Whenever I struggle with the humanity of the Church, what sustains me is my inability to turn away from the Eucharist and Jesus’ words “Do this in memory of Me.”

It is with this in mind, as well as the request of Our Lady’s staff, that I share that Seton Parish, the nearby parishes in the East Deanery: Holy Spirit, Christ the King, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Pius X, St. Catharine and St. Thomas the Apostle as well as St. Dominic will welcome your presence as well as any parish with which you feel comfortable.

We are mindful that our Blessed Mother experienced great joy as being the Mother of Jesus but had to deal with challenges, pain, sorrows (especially witnessing the Passion and Death of Jesus). She (as does the Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit) accompanies us in this journey. May we be strengthened by her faith and fidelity. It has been and will continue to be a great blessing for me to serve Our Lady’s community and the same is true for Fr. Sunder and Fr. Petros. The same is true for Deacon Steve Venturini and the entire staff. Continue to look for future communications from us as things will still be happening. We are in this together!

Sincerely in Christ,

Father Leo Connolly