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Archdiocese Will Announce Closing Or Merging Of Some Parishes

DETROIT (WWJ) - The Archdiocese of Detroit will announce Monday which churches will close and merge with other parishes, as some have failed financially and there are fewer priests to go around.

Saint Donald's Parish in Roseville will close because its pastor will retire.

Theresa Driver of Clinton Township attended Sunday mass.

"We're all sad. Everybody's scattering around, church shopping," said Driver.

Driver says mass attendance is down.

Ed Boike, an usher at St. Donald's, has been a member since 1968.

"Sad, I really don't know where to go now. I'm not sure what's going to be open, or what's going to merge with who, or what's happening," said Boike.

Boike says this parish now has about 400 members, when at one time it had 1,200.

Pat Ralko of Fraser is sad the church is closing and will look for a new church.

"(I'll miss) the people and Father Mike, he throws marvelous parties," said Ralko.

Ralko jokes that she is looking for a parish where they give short sermons.

It's expected fewer churches will be closing than were originally recommended but the Archdiocese of Detroit will announce the closure and mergers on Monday.

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