04/27/2026
Reading this news—or rather, coming across it—I will be honest: I was not surprised. Rumors about this have been circulating for quite some time, even though I have lived in Hazleton, and in the U.S. in general, for only four years.
After reading some of the comments, I find myself agreeing with many of them. But after taking a pause to reflect, I would like—with pain—to state a few realities, speaking as a priest serving two Byzantine parishes in this city.
What did we expect? What are we hoping for?
I do not want to position myself as a critic—neither for nor against—but simply to draw attention to the reasons why situations like this happen.
First: attendance.
Every year, fewer and fewer people come to church. There are many explanations—people pass away, schedules are busy, the priest doesn’t suit someone, the time isn’t convenient, the weather is bad… the list goes on. Everyone can find an excuse.
But if we are honest—truly honest with ourselves—the deeper reason is this: we have become self-sufficient in our own ego, and often under the excuse of “being busy,” we no longer make time for our soul.
And attendance is directly connected to another issue:
Vocations to the priesthood.
Seminaries are emptying. Once, they were full—places that formed great preachers and holy priests. Now many of those buildings and libraries stand closed, waiting to be sold.
At the same time, people complain that many priests come from abroad, struggle with language, or with cultural adaptation (and I include myself here, at least when it comes to language).
But again—what did we expect?
We must pray for vocations. If the local community does not pray for them, then who will? Bishops are making real efforts to preserve parishes and communities, often through recruitment—and that is simply the reality.
Next: population and families.
Yes, people mention demographic changes. But here is an important observation: look at immigrant families—they come to church together, often multiple generations: grandparents, parents, children.
And what about us? We say churches are empty, yet from an entire family, maybe one or two people come on Sunday.
Is that not part of the problem?
You might say, “Children are busy.” That is true. But only your children? Aren’t other children also busy—with sports, practices, competitions, trips, family events?
I say this also from personal experience—I have three children with very full schedules. But they know from a young age: Sunday is the Lord’s Day. First, we give to God what belongs to God, and then to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.
In real life, a gardener does not ask a branch for permission before grafting it—he cuts what is unnecessary and secures what will bear fruit. Parents must do the same.
But too often, parents themselves neglect this and give too much freedom—both to themselves and, as a result, to their children—especially when it comes to spiritual life.
When we put all of this together, the reality is clear:
we are slowly dismantling our own churches, brick by brick, with our own hands.
The Church is, first of all, the community of believers united around Christ, around His Body and Blood—the Eucharist.
But we also live in the real world, and we are responsible for the physical church as a visible sign of that invisible reality. Bills must be paid. Insurance and utilities do not disappear. And when there are few people, where will the support come from?
If we lose our relationship with God, and the sense that “this is my church—my home, my refuge, my fortress, the source from which I draw strength week after week,” then who is to blame when churches close, merge, or are reorganized?
I am not seeking agreement, and I do not wish to offend or criticize anyone. But these are the realities we are living in. And until we begin with ourselves, nothing will change.
The Church will endure—because the Holy Spirit guides her. History gives us many examples of that.
But will we not regret that we ourselves became the reason why the next generation must start again—from nothing? In different churches, under different conditions—after losing what was built over generations?
Please do not judge too harshly.
Fr. Eugene
St. Mary & St. John Byzantine Catholic Parishes
Hazleton, PA
Eparchy of Passaic
HAZLETON — A proposal to close Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church has been met with disappointment, though many parishioners say it wasn’t a surprise.
Church members were officially informed at an April 15 meeting, but earlier bulletin updates had already signaled that a diocesan committee was reviewing the parish’s future and preparing to explain what it called a “very difficult recommendation.”
Committee member James Joseph acknowledged at the meeting that decisions like this are painful, especially for long-established faith communities.
The main factors behind the recommended closure mirror those that led to the parish’s earlier merger with Most Precious Blood Church: a shortage of priests, shrinking income, and increasing maintenance costs. The Diocese of Scranton currently has 81 priests serving 102 parishes, a number expected to fall further in the coming years.
Financial strain has been ongoing at Our Lady of Grace, located at 12th and Vine streets, where donations have dropped since the pandemic and have not covered operating costs for several years. At the same time, the estimated cost of needed repairs has risen significantly—from about $2 million in 2012 to roughly $3.6 million in a later engineering review.
The parish itself reflects broader demographic shifts in Hazleton. Once founded by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the combined parish community now has a growing Hispanic population. Most recent sacraments—including baptisms, First Communions, and confirmations—were largely received by Hispanic families, while most funerals have been for longtime Anglo members. Some Hispanic parishioners have also expressed interest in joining St. Joseph’s Church due to capacity concerns.
These changes are part of a wider national trend. Catholic dioceses across the United States have been consolidating parishes, closing buildings, and sharing clergy as both membership and vocations decline. Studies cited by Catholic University’s Catholic Project and Georgetown University show steady reductions in parish numbers and attendance over recent decades.
If the recommendation is approved by Bishop Joseph Bambera, it would move through additional church review steps before becoming final. A formal decree would be issued, and a closing Mass at Our Lady of Grace is tentatively scheduled for August 2.
After the meeting, some parishioners suggested selling the church building before further deterioration. The 96-year-old structure sits alongside a rectory and a former school building, which would require millions in additional repairs if preserved.
Community reactions have been mixed. Some, including former Hazleton Mayor Mike Marsicano, expressed sadness and skepticism about the high repair estimates, while others reflected on previous church closures in the area as part of an ongoing reality.
Longtime parishioners also shared memories of past mergers and closures, noting that similar transitions have happened across the region. Some see hope in preserving religious artifacts and traditions, which will be transferred to Most Precious Blood and incorporated into future processions and services.
Church leaders have encouraged parishioners to focus on unity during the transition, emphasizing that despite changing buildings and demographics, the shared faith community remains the central connection among local Catholics.
