Dubuque may lose a Catholic parish

[47of74]

Church officials announced today that St. Mary's Church may close.



If it were to close it'd be sad because it's a beautiful old building, and played so prominently in the history of Dubuque - being the mother parish of five other parishes in Dubuque.

[hedgehog]

1. Is the parish viable, or is it being closed because of the supposed priest shortage?

[47of74]

3. Apparently it's a lack of money coming in

Apparently it's a lack of money coming in to the parish. It's in an older and poorer part of town than other parishes, and over the years as people either died off or moved out to the west end and one of the parishes out there money got to be tighter and tighter.

Right now they're saying may close, not will close, so I am holding out hope it won't close. It would be a shame because it's one of the most beautiful churches in the Archdiocese.

[hedgehog]

5. I get mad whenever statements like that emerge. So who is living in the

neighborhood now, giant mutant ants? Seems to me Jesus might want to invite some of those old and poor people into his house even if they aren't the descendants of the immigrants who built the place. Whatever happened to go and teach all nations?

[Brigid]

2. That's sad.

What will happen to that lovely church building? :(

[47of74]

4. If you thought the outside was impressive

You should see the inside. In my opinion it's one of the most beautiful church buildings in the Archdiocese. I'm hoping they'll find some way to save the parish, and if they can't see to it that the building is saved for future generations.

[JNelson6563]

6. I don't doubt it.

I think old churches are magnificent. I love to visit them.

Julie

[47of74]

7. I think we're particuarly blessed here in northeast Iowa

We've got so many old and beautiful church buildings. Like I said St. Mary's, St. Raphael's Cathedral, St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, St. Boniface in New Vienna, and so on.