Historical February–March 2024 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
St. Roch has not yet received a response from the Vatican regarding the proposed closing of the parish as a result of the ‘All Things New’ Archdiocesan initiative. St Roch was originally slated for closure by Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, but the parish leadership with support of parishioners, as well as friends and neighbors, petitioned all the way to the Vatican to remain open.
In the meantime, the parish has been supported by Father Frank Reale, SJ who has generously volunteered to say masses at the church every Sunday at 9:00 am.
The attendance has increased and new events are being scheduled in the church such as the Martin Luther King Jr commemoration that was held in mid January and the progressive dinner that was held at the end of January. St. Roch is still a very active and involved parish and hopes for a positive message from the Vatican in the future. St. Roch School will also remain open.
The parish must produce a three-year feasibility study by February for the archdiocese downsizing plan.
This plan must have goals for increasing enrollment and funding the school while still supporting other parish ministries.
The Archbishop will review the feasibility reports and may suggest addition revisions or amendments.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2024.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2024_02.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
