THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 Page 17 NEW PARISH | FROM PAGE 2 that identity is important to us. I trust that we can, inspired by the Blessed Mother, find the right name. I hope that we will be able to keep the Morning Star in the new name, to be able to keep and share the beautiful image of our Blessed Mother. Please keep in mind that our church names will remain Our Lady of Grace and St. Mary’s – it is our combined parish name that we are developing. I sincerely believe that this is in the best interests of our families, each of us and all of us. There have already been 16 parish mergers since last March throughout the Archdiocese, in towns like Medford, Lynn and Lynnfield, so this is far from new. Through it all, I ask your prayers and support. We have been aligning our parish families for quite a while, and we already share so much – it makes sense that at this point, particularly in this rather difficult time, we would share even more. Parishioners’ generosity has been a blessing. The fact remains that financially, neither parish can exist on their respective collections, even pre-pandemic, an essential element of a parish’s viability. I’m happy to report that we have a business manager, Linda McElwaney, to help us look ahead. Yet I am concerned that with low attendance in both churches (even before this pandemic), the weekly collections will not be able to cover the basics without going through the funds we have, but combined, we can build on each other’s strengths. The loss of Bingo, the Women’s Club’s Christmas calendar, the Christmas Bazaar, the preschool program at St. Mary’s, the Flea Market and the several fundraisers held throughout the year have taken a significant toll on us. Even with a return to these activities, which I look forward to in the near future, it will take a long time to get back to pre-pandemic interest and numbers.” Linda DeCristoforo has been Pastoral Associate for both churches for many years and has been a vital part of both staffs. Linda holds Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Emmanuel College and earned a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from the Institute for Pastoral Ministry for Religious Education with a concentration in Liturgy and Worship at Boston College. Her steady, unwavering faith and self-assuring spirituality solidifies her inner strength that is very evident when she speaks to you. Her leadership role in faith formation, various parish ministries and services, and liturgy and worship are quite respected and appreciated by all parishioners. She and Fr. John are truly remarkable people with complementary personalities that certainly radiate positiveness and togetherness for both church communities. Linda expressed excitement with the new merger and offered, “All faith formation programs, confirmations, communions, religious education programs, all ministers (lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, etc.) together, will present new opportunities and not a real change.” Fr. John is clearly excited for both churches and the parishioners of the newly formed parish whose name is expected to be approved in the next several months. “This is good, great for the future. It will certainly help us. Now we have great hope, joy, and expectations, and can focus on families and children, and bringing everyone together in fully filled church soon! We have big plans. As I say we should look up and look ahead.” He emphasized, “During this pandemic we have so many volunteers to ensure protocols were kept – from temperature takers, contact tracers. People sanitizing the churches, cleaners, so many, many people who gave their time and put themselves at risk. I am humbled and grateful.” So, now is definitely a time to look up and look ahead as St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Revere and Our Lady of Grace Church, Chelsea/Everett await approval of their new parish name while keeping their current church names in a seamless and natural transition.
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