Chicago Archdiocese shares plans to merge several South Side parishes, schools

Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood, the home church for Mayor Richard J. Daley's family, is under consideration for closing or consolidation by the Chicago Archdiocese. 

South Side parishioners spoke of lifelong connections to parishes and schools in the Bridgeport, Canaryville and Chinatown neighborhoods as they joined a standing room-only crowd at St. Barbara Church to hear a Chicago Archdiocese plan to combine several of the local institutions.

More than 800 people squeezed into the Bridgeport church, filling the pews and second-floor balcony. The parishioners filing into the church talked of a strong faith and educational community built over years of weddings, funerals and graduations. Some appeared emotional as they left after learning of the mergers.

Brianna Gonzalez went to the meeting concerned about the future of St. Barbara School where her son is enrolled. The school will merge with St. Therese Chinese Catholic School.

continue at Chicago Tribune

also: Archdiocese's proposal would merge Catholic parishes in Uptown, Edgewater as part of ongoing reshuffling