By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Parishioners at more than a dozen Catholic churches in South St. Louis got official word Sunday that their places of worship will likely close.
The St. Louis Archdiocese has drafted closure lists for its south city and northeast county deaneries. Around 30 parishes total could close or merge.
But the congregation at St. Pius the Fifth on South Grand got good news. During his homily, Father Mike Lydon said an archdiocesan committee reversed its decision on the parish: "They have chosen to recommend to the archbishop that our parish stay open, that St. Francis de Sales Parish, in its closure, would come to us, that St. Wenceslaus Parish, in its closure, come to us. "
The Archdiocese will publish the final closure recommendation list this Friday. But the absolute decision is up to Archbishop Raymond Burke. He's expected to make that known by mid-January.
Priests at more than a dozen parishes delivered bad news Sunday their churches would close and be merged with others in the city.
St. Pius Member Norma Schmitz says her parish is ready to welcome the newcomers. "No one wants to be made to do things, really, but I'm hoping they see something here, because we are very welcoming," Schmitz said. "There's a life in this parish that's kind of contagious."