Bishop’s Decrees on the Merger of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish with St. Emeric Parish

Please find below the documents from our diocesan Bishop Edward C. Malesic related to the merger of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish with St. Emeric Parish and the establishment of a shrine at St. Elizabeth Church. As it was announced several months ago, the difficult situation at St. Elizabeth necessitated and intensified the search for ways of saving St. Elizabeth and its Hungarian heritage for the long term. With the coincidental plan of a religious order seeking a place to minister in our diocese, it was possible to find the best solution to the current situation (not a perfect one which satisfies everyone, as that is impossible).

In the merger, St. Elizabeth remains a part of the newly merged Hungarian parish and is elevated to a shrine. St. Emeric Church will retain its parish title. In the near future, a religious order will come and will assume the responsibility for the daily operations of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Shrine with certain privileges for Hungarian Catholics.

The posted documents relate to the first phase of this transition. As further developments emerge, they will be posted here and announced at both churches during weekend Masses. Until further notice, the Mass schedules will remain the same.

Fr. Richard Bona
Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Emeric parishes

Merging of parishes decree:

Establishing shrine decree:

Shrine establishment instructions:

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