Historic Catholic Church in Chicago to Close After More Than 100 Years | EWTN News Nightly

A Catholic church in Chicago that opened more than 100 years ago is set to close for good this Sunday after the 1pm Mass. There is a community effort to try and save Our Lady of Lourdes on the north side of Chicago. One group is trying to have it be designated as a historic landmark. The church was built in 1916. Parishioners say it draws pilgrims from all over the country to see the replica of the Grotto of Lourdes in France. The archdiocese says the church is no longer needed since a merger with nearby St. Mary of the Lake. The pastor of both parishes said in a statement, "This is a very difficult moment in the life of our parish. We understand that this decision will cause hurt, sadness, anger and confusion." President of the nonprofit Our Lady of Lourdes Church Preservation Society, Katarina Garcia, joins to tell us more about Our Lady of Lourdes and why it qualifies as a historic landmark and should be preserved. The archdiocese says Mass attendance at Our Lady of Lourdes has steadily dropped. And with limited priest help, it was necessary to consolidate Mass times and eventually close and merge with the other nearby church. Garcia responds to this. She discusses what the feeling is among parishioners.
------------
EWTN News Nightly provides the latest news and analysis from a Catholic perspective. Join host Tracy Sabol, our Capitol Hill, White House and Rome Correspondents, as well as many other diverse guests daily, to get the latest from the U.S. and the Vatican on topics regarding our Catholic faith and interests.
-------------
EWTN News Nightly airs on EWTN weekdays at 6pm & 9pm ET.
------------
Don't miss an episode of EWTN New Nightly. Get updates here:
www.ewtn.com/tv/shows/ewtn-ne...
-------------
Sign up today to receive the EWTN News Nightly newsletter:
www.ewtn.com/enn
-------------
Follow EWTN News Nightly on Social Media:
Facebook: / ewtnnewsnightly
Twitter: / ewtnnewsnightly
Instagram: / ewtnnewsnightly
-------------
Subscribe to EWTN CZcams channel here:
/ ewtn
-------------
You can support the EWTN News mission:
bit.ly/3qDR1qf

[@gloriab5514]

Our Lafy of Lourdes please save this church and all our other churches too.

[@sheilatejada7748]

It’s just sad that Catholic Churches are closing. I love old churches 🥲and Traditional Latin Mass🙏🙏🙏

[@debbiegraham5585]

I'm praying to save this Church. AMEN

[@davecharette9773]

Why not allow the TLM to turn the church in to a diocesan Shrine, a pilgrimage site. I'm sure the parish will flourish and reinvigorate the neighborhood. Let's pray to Our Lady of Lourdes for this intervention! Please, Cardinal Cupich make this happen! 🙏

[@andresinsurriaga1082]

It's so sad. The problem is no longer a lack of priests, but a lack of faithful. Chicago has tons of people. That church should be packed every Sunday.

[@rosaborrego7183]

Lord Jesus Christ

[@erikbrim8381]

We have to do something I’m so tired of hearing one church after another after another after another closing. We should make it a goal to reopen parishes that have closed and bring people back to God and to the church.

[@peaceout7517]

Our Lady of Lourdes, save this beautiful church, Hear us

[@handel1111]

Here in Philippines, we lack church buildings, our churches can't accommodate waves of people each mass

[@linda1881]

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, I pray to our Lady to save this historic church ..

[@kimchan98]

It is a historical landmark...it should be preserved no questions asked...

[@paulfarruggia9770]

Our Lady of Lourdes pray for us!!!

[@agnes709]

Our Lady of Lourdes, please save this church. Amen

[@florescelmar58]

Mama Mary whisper to Jesus that it will not close this church 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@donwondertv7464]

Save this Church 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💕💕💕value the effor ,thirst, sacrifices and honor those people behind building of this church💕

[@richardounjian9270]

This is the fault of those Catholics who no longer attend Mass

[@user-up5wi4yr9s]

Good hearted and wonderful people in this world just like this lady, such a good soul!

[@philomenasequeira6083]

Such an extremely sorry situation. The Americans have stopped praying, going to church or even reading the Holy Bible. The Americans have forgotten Jesus. It's such a sad situation.

[@JewelBlueIbanez]

They tried something like this in Lethbridge, Alberta. The people wrote to the Vatican and the Vatican sided with the people that the church could not sold.

[@Catholic_Bible_Study]

Pray Rosary and divine mercy chaplet for the conversion of People.