Archdiocese To Determine Fate Of Lemont Parishes

LEMONT, IL — With several months remaining before any decisions are made by the Archdiocese of Chicago concerning any potential restructuring plan for the Catholic parishes of Lemont, concerns are being raised over perceptions that the future of the parishes has already been decided. To that end, the St. Patrick Parish’s Renew My Church (RMC) Discernment Team attempted this week to dispel what they described as “any rumors that everything has been decided already, and that this process is just a formality.”

The RMC process involves grouping the faith communities of St. Patrick, St. Alphonsus, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, St. James at Sag Bridge, Blessed Anton Martin Slomsek Slovenian Catholic Mission and Our Lady Mother of the Church Polish Mission. Lemont is currently one of 12 groupings at this stage of the RMC plan.

“Our model of parish life was built for a different time across the Archdiocese,” Tim Weiske, RMC director of strategic planning and implementation, told attendees at a July 1 informational meeting. “How will our structures be set up so pastors and pastoral teams can spend as much time as possible on ministry?”

Weiske cited a lack of newly-ordained priests, an aging population and a 27 percent decrease in Mass attendance over the last 20 years as reasons for restructuring across Chicagoland. He also acknowledged the church’s reputation with sexual abuse of minors, calling it “a real issue that people confront when people look at the institutional church."

In printed remarks designed to update parishioners on the progress and status of the RMC process, St. Patrick team member Linda Rybski this week reiterated in writing what the team had reported at masses on July 6 and 7, that during a June 1 meeting with Cardinal Blase Cupich, who ultimately will decide the fate of the four Lemont parishes, “the Cardinal assured us that ‘done deals are not the case.’”

“We’d like to be clear that the discernment team members are not the decision makers. We are the collectors of your ideas and concerns that will assist us in developing a plan,” Rybski wrote while noting that “not making any changes is not an option — as we’ve been told numerous times, in numerous meetings."

The Archdiocese has hosted two Renew My Church informational meetings to address parishioner concerns and explain the restructuring process. Additional town hall and grouping sessions are scheduled to run through late September with recommendations and feedback scheduled to be given to Cardinal Cupich in October. What Weiske called “a clear answer” about the future of Lemont parishes will be made in early to mid-November.

Complete information about the planning process and timeline can be found at renewmychurch.org.