Galveston may close churches due to Hurricane Ike damage

Houston, Texas, Dec 16, 2008 / 02:06 am

Due to serious hurricane damage to Catholic churches in Galveston, Texas, Catholic leaders in the archdiocese are considering consolidating the island's parishes into one.

 

Texas Cable News reports that in the weekly Sunday bulletin, the pastor of Sacred Heart Church explained to his parishioners that after meeting with the archdiocesan officials and other priests, one parish in Galveston was “ideal.”

 

“It seems like a logical conclusion to draw, after all that’s happened on the island, and I think that as long as we all work together, we’ll be better off in the future,” parishioner Mary Beth Bassett said.

 

Parishes in the area have struggled to get back on their feet due to a great amount of Hurricane Ike damage, large costs for repairs and a decrease in donations.

 

According to Texas Cable News, no official decisions have been made, but they are considering closing two churches and consolidating the remaining four into a single parish – St. Patrick’s.

 

Another parishioner, Leslie Burgess said that the community is learning to cope.  “You know, we just have to roll with the punches. We don’t have a choice. And as long as we have our parish, as long as we have a parish, and our Catholic priests, everything will come together as it should.”