Archdiocese’s sweeping new consolidation plan affects 20 parishes in Chicago

The Archdiocese of Chicago announced a sweeping consolidation plan Thursday night that affects 20 parishes across the city.

The plan includes the merging of St. Bride, Our Lady Gate of Heaven, Our Lady of Peace and St. Philip Neri Parish and School, four Catholic parishes in the South Shore and South Deering neighborhoods. The Sun-Times reported Tuesday that St. Philip Neri will be designated the parish church and school.

Cardinal Blase Cupich and archdiocese officials have also decided:

• St. Rene and St. Symphorosa Parish and School will be consolidated into a new congregation. St. Symphorosa, 6135 S. Austin Ave., will serve as the parish church and school.
• St. Henry, St. Margaret Mary, St. Timothy, Blessed Alojzije Stepinac Croatian Catholic Mission and Northside Catholic Academy will form another grouping. The three parishes will serve as a single church at St. Margaret Mary, 2324 W. Chase Ave. Blessed Alojzije Stepinac will continue as a mission and Northside won’t face any changes.
• St. Basil/Visitation Parish and School, St. Gall Parish and School, St. Clare of Montefalco, St. Rita of Cascia and St. Simon the Apostle will be grouped together. St. Simon will become part of St. Gall parish, 5511 S. Sawyer Ave.; St. Clare will join St. Rita, 6243 S. Fairfield Ave.; and St. Gall School and St. Basil/Visitation Parish and School will not face changes.
• Annunciata Parish and School, St. Francis de Sales, St. George and St. Kevin will be consolidated into a single parish. Annunciata, 11128 S. Ave. G., will be the parish church and continue to operate its school.
• St. Genevieve Parish and School and St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr will form a joint parish called Saints Genevieve and Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr. St. Genevieve, 4835 W. Altgeld St., will be designated as the parish church and school.

The new parishes will be formed effective July 1, according to the archdiocese. The leaders and parishioners of the unnamed parishes will submit their proposals for permanent names to Cupich.