 |
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Main Page |
CONTACT: |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 19, 2003THREE PARISHES MERGING TO FORM ST. ANGELA
Effective July1, three Roman Catholic parishes of Clinton and Brown counties are merging to form St. Angela Merici Parish, serving nearly 600 Catholic families in Clinton, Brown, Warren, Clermont and Highland Counties.
The former St. Patrick (Fayetteville), St. Martin (St. Martin) and Holy Name (Blanchester) parishes have been part of their local communities since the mid-1800s. Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk more than two years ago announced plans to merge the parishes, largely because of a shortage of priests.
Since the announcement, parishioners and parish staff have been planning the merger of all aspects of parish life, including liturgy, education, service and social activities. All three church buildings, re-designated as chapels, will continue to be used for services, however.
The name for the new parish, announced by Archbishop Pilarczyk in mid-2002, is significant for local residents. St. Angela Merici (1474-1540) was a peasant girl from Brescia, Italy. Working tirelessly to improve living conditions and educational opportunities, she founded the Ursuline Sisters. The Ursuline Sisters of Brown County, who settled in St. Martin in 1845, have long served all three of the merging parishes and have been major contributors to their communities.
To commemorate the formation of St. Angela Merici Parish, Archbishop Pilarczyk will celebrate a special Mass for parishioners and invited guests on Sunday, July 27, on the grounds of Chatfield College in St. Martin. Chatfield is a two-year private Catholic liberal arts college which was founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Brown County in 1971.
Pastor of the new parish is the Rev. Ronald C. Cooper. Father Ron, a 1983 graduate of the Athenaeum of Ohio / Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, was formerly pastor of St. Benignus Church in Greenfield and St. Michael Church in New Vienna. Sister of Charity Rita Hawk, who began working with the three churches more than a year ago, is the parish’s Director of Religious Education.
Weekend Masses will be held at each of the three chapels as follows: Saturday, 5 p.m. at St. Patrick; Sunday, 8 a.m. at St. Martin, 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick and 11:30 a.m. at Holy Name.
St. Angela Merici Parish will offer a wide range of educational programs and parish activities for all ages. Persons interested in joining St. Angela Merici or learning more about the Catholic faith can call the parish office at (513) 875-5020. Correspondence can be directed to the St. Angela Merici Parish Office, 130 Stone Alley, P.O. Box 279, Fayetteville, OH 45118.
Main Page
Copyright © 2000 the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.