Cicero And Berwyn Parishes To Combine Due To Declining Membership

CICERO, IL — As part of the Renew My Church initiative, two parishes in Cicero and Berwyn will unite as one to address declining membership, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced Monday.

St. Frances of Rome parish in Cicero and St. Mary of Celle parish in Berwyn will meld into one parish under the new name St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds, officials told Patch.

The parish will still maintain both church buildings but will share one pastoral team, according to an archdiocese announcement.

"The archdiocese's Priest Placement Board will continue its discernment of a candidate to recommend as pastor of the unified parish," the statement read. "More information will be shared when it is available."

The Renew My Church initiative was created in 2016 to address declines in membership and available church personnel. A number of suburban parishes have been combined under the initiative.

Officials said there will be no change to St. Frances of Rome School.