OF SPRINGFIELD S PRI ]V G FI E LD, MAS SAC HUS E TTS

On .Tune 1.2021. the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Springfield was presented with a proposal whereby the lbllowing canonical act pursuant to Canon I222 of the Code of Canon Law be undertaken by the Diocesan :

In the City of Holyoke. Sacred Heart Church, which has served as the church for , be reduced to secular, but not profane, use.

The reasons are that the church is not safe for use. has not been used for worship fbr over four y,ears and it is beyond the financial capability of the parish to restore it.

The Administrator and the parish council and finance council asked for and approved of this action.

After discussion, no objection was offered. Bishop Byrne expressed gratitude to the members of the Council for their comments. vurfuM R*rend Piotr Calik Msgr. Daniel P. Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia Chancellor/Vicar for Canonical Affairs -.ry June 21.2021 DIOCESE OF SPRIIVGFIELD SPRIIYG F I E LD, MAS SAC HUSE TTS

On.lnne 1.2A21, the Presb,vteral Cor:ncil ol'the Diocese o1'Springlield rvas presented with a proposal wherebl,' the Diocesan Bishop r:ndertake the lbllou,ing canonical acts pursuant to flanon 5i5 sc2 of the Code of Clanon Lar.r,:

In the Cit.v-, of l-:lol,voke. the extinctive nlerger of Our Lacly of Guac{alupe Parish. established in 1001. inlo St. Jerorre Parish. established in 1854, r,lith no cltange o1'natne.

'l'he Administrator and the respecti\e parish councils asked lbr anci rccluestecl this iiction. 'l'he reasons are: the trvo have sharc'cl a Pastor or Aclnrinistrator firr the ;rast eiglrt months. arrcl the trvo conrmunities irave estiLhlished a common bond: the cleterioratittg condition ol sacred Heart C'hurch. ivhich has serveil as the worship site lbr Our Lady' ol Guadarlupe Parish and the rectory.',vhich is be1.'ondthe financial capability of the Our Lacl1.of Guadalupe Parish to restore. rvith the result thirt the flhur:ch has been disusecl for has over lbrr -r,ears due to salbty concerils: rvorship at Our Lady of GLradalupe Tlarish taken place in the parish's g5rmnasium with man;v- o1'the faithl'ul preferring to worsirip in St. Church.

In the City o1'IJol,voke. the extirrctive filerger of Immaculater Concepticln Ptrrish. established in 1905. into St. Jerome Parish.

'l'he Administrator and the respcctive parish councils askc-cl firr ancl reqLtestecl this actiott. The reasons are : the t*,o parishes have sharecl a Pastor or Aclnrinistrator liir the past eight months. and the t\,\'o comnlunities have established a contmon honcl.

Accorcling to the requiremerfi ctt'('unttrz 515,{2 of I'he Code ofJlanon Lar.n,. the lr'lost Reverend Willianr Draper Bynre- Bishop ol'spring{ield. subrnitted this proposal to the Presbl'teral Council in orcler to hear its memhers on the ru.'rtlers.

After discussior-r, no objection was offered. Bishop l}1,rne expressed gratitude to the Corurcil members for their cofilmeilts.

--",-\, )-+4}- voTz lu Zb/- { 6/}z- d,_)n*&->J) - Very Reverend Piotr Calik Reverend Msgr. Daniel P. Liston E Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia Chancel lor/Vicar fbr Car-ronical i \' --- June 21.2021 'Tt o = + .\\ o ess DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD ,SPftMTG F I E L D, MAS SAC H U S E T T S

DECREE AND ORDER

Inasmuch as the clergy and representatives of the parishes below noted have participated in the consultative process structured by Pastoral Planning and requested this action, which has resulted in recommending the canonical action herein indicated, and

Whereas, it has been detennined that the good of souls of will not suffer harm due to the proximity of Jerome Parish, and

Whereas, it has been determined that the good of souls of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish will not suffer harm due to the proximity of Saint Jerome Parish, and

Whereas, according to the requirement of Canon 515 52 of The Code of Canon Law the Most Reverend William D. Byrne, Bishop of Springfield, submitted this proposal to the Presbyteral Council on June 1,2021 for consultation on the proposed canonical action herein being considered and, after discussion, the members of the Presbyteral Council indicated unanimous support for these actions,

Therefore, I the Most Reverend William D. Byrne hereby define, declare and DECREE that

In the City of l{olyoke, the extinctive merger of Immaculate Conception Parish, in Holyoke, a territorial parish, established in 1905, with Saint Jerome Parish, established in 1854, is hereby merged with the parish church being Saint Jerorne, and the parish retaining the name of Saint Jerome.

In the City of Holyoke, Immaculate Conception Church to be reduced to a C Convenience.

=) rrl-l o /,'-NS ai+ DECREE ORDER City of Holyoke Page2 ofZ

The sacramental records of Immaculate Conception Parish are to be kept at Saint Jerome Parish

In the City of Holyoke, the extinctive merger of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, in Holyoke, a territorial parish, established in 2001from the merger of Sacred Heart Parish, established in 1876, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, estabiished in 1890, rvith Saint Jerome Parish, established in 1854, with the parish church being Saint Jerome and the parish retaining the name of Saint Jerome.

In the City of Holyoke, Sacred Hearl Church, which has served as the church for Our Ladv of Guadalupe Parish, be reduced to secular, but not profane, use.

The sacramental records of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and those of Sacred Heart Parish and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, as well as those of Precious Blood Parish, established in 1869 and suppressed in 1987 with the Sacramental Records kept Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and then at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, are to be kept at Saint Jerome Parish.

I ORDER that the boundaries for Saint Jerome Parish now include the boundaries of the extensively merged parishes described above.

I ORDER that the f,orgoing be effective the fifteenth day of August, 2021

Given in Springfield this twenty-third day of June, 2O2l *il'tf"*,*-\A-- Most Reverend Will D. Byrne Bishop of S eld E

{ l= Reverend Msgr. Dani ston 't Chancellor I Yicar for Canonical Affairs .\C') ---