Holy Family Parts Ways by Robert Cohen

Holy Family has stood for 107 years. For parishoners at the church, the coinciding factors of a shortage of priests and migration from city to suburb has led to the closure of their church and school. Grief, acceptance and farewells have filled its last days.
Renewal of Vows Kathryn Echele looks to her father Greg as he and wife Anji join 26 couples in a final renewal of wedding vows. Both Anji and her parents, parishoners for 44 years, were married in the church.
Seeking Answers - "There is a reason we are closing. It's part of a plan and we need to learn to accept it," said Jo Anne Kargus as she voiced her feelings sitting beside Fr. Rickey Valleroy during grief counseling at Holy Family, weeks before the parish closed its doors. Kargus was a parishoner for 55 years.
School Closes - Minutes after the last students departed from Holy Family Catholic School, janitor Bruce Barbour went about his task of removing precious items from the building.
Arm in Arm - Holy Family seventh graders leave with the knowledge that they will not graduate together as the school shut its doors.
One Last Look- Standing outside the classroom she has called home for 25 years, math teacher Kathy Mitchell absorbs the scene minutes after the final students departed.
Mary on the Block- Hoisting the original 1941 Blessed Mother statute from the school, Margaret Loughary, a 59-year parishoner, helps Fr. Rickey Valleroy at a dinner auction held to raise severance packages for staff members.
		Circling the Altar Parishoners circle the altar for the final time, stopping to kiss the marble and picking up holy cards, blessed by their pastor.
Moving On "This has been the hardest 72 hours of my priesthood", said Fr. Rickey, as he prayed alone in the sanctuary after receiving his new assignment.
Shuttered What will become of the 107-year-old building is uncertain. Sold by the Archdiocese, it may reopen as another church but more likely will become condominiums.

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