(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Closures and mergers are coming in July to a number of parishes and worship sites in the Joliet Catholic Diocese.
The move made by Joliet Bishop Ronald Hicks involves 19 parishes and worship sites. Parishes involved are in DuPage, South Will and Grundy Counties.
For instance, St. Boniface Parish in Monee and St. Mary Church in Park Forest will be folded into St. Liborius Parish in Steger. St. Mary’s Church will close and the St. Boniface Church building will remain open and used at the discretion of the St. Liborius pastor.
The Joliet Diocese website says changes started being considered a few years ago because of a decline in Mass attendance and collections, the pandemic, fewer Catholics and an increase in the number of people who claim no religious affiliation.
Hicks says he knows the closings and mergers may cause people to be sad and lead to grieving, but he encourages people to be open to becoming part of a new faith community.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok I Bluesky