The parish is comprised of Saint Adalbert Church, Saint George Church,
Mother of Divine Grace Church, and Nativity B.V.M. Church.
The name change will take effect on October 22, 2019.
Contextual Background
In May 2019, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that four churches located in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia would merge with an effective date of July 1, 2019. Saint Adalbert Parish, Saint George Parish, and Mother of Divine Grace Parish merged with Nativity B.V.M. Parish as a result of the Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative.
At the time it was announced that the parish would bear the name “Nativity B.V.M. Parish” with the parish church being designated as Saint Adalbert Church.
Additional information regarding the merger can be found at the following link:
Today’s Announcement
Today the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. has issued a canonical decree renaming “Nativity B.V.M. Parish” as “Saint John Paul II Parish” with an effective date of October 22, 2019. The decree has no effect on the names of the four different churches that comprise this parish.
In an effort aimed at further unity, Reverend James P. Olson, pastor of Nativity B.V.M. Parish requested the new name after consultation with his parish pastoral and finance councils and as well as the parish community-at-large.
The new name, “Saint John Paull II” was proposed due to Saint John Paull II’s considerable time spent in the Port Richmond community during the 1976 International Eucharistic Congress, which was hosted by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
At that time, Saint John Paul II was known as Cardinal Karol Wotjyla and he served as the Archbishop of Krakow. He lived at Saint Adalbert Rectory for over three weeks, celebrated Mass in its church, and ran a “poor man’s supper.” Many people in the parish remember his stay in the area.
Father Olson said, “The relics of Saint John Paul II – of his blood – are enshrined at Saint Adalbert Church. Since he visited the ancestral homelands of so many of the people in our neighborhood – Poland, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Lithuania, Mexico, El Salvador, Paraguay, Thailand, and Nigeria– there is great devotion to him here. Saint John Paul II is seen as someone who traveled the world to unify people in Christ. We look to him as an example of what we are trying to do in Port Richmond – unite in Christ and invite others to join us.”
The parish will commemorate the name change with a special Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 27th. The Mass will honor Saint John Paull II and celebrate Catholic faith in the Port Richmond Community. Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, will be the principal celebrant and homilist.
Preceding the Mass, faithful from the Port Richmond community will process from Saint George Church, Mother of Divine Grace Church, and Nativity B.V.M. Church to Saint Adalbert Church.
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Archdiocese of Philadelphia
ArchPhilly
ArchPhilly
Contact:
Alaina N. Longo
Deputy Communications Officer
215-587-3747 (office)