Rosary Campus Update
and Message from Bishop Lucia
Letter to the Faithful from Bishop Douglas Lucia
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The parishes of Our Lady of Lourdes (est. 1919) and Our Lady of the Rosary (est. 1949) have tended to the pastoral needs of the people of Utica and New Hartford for some time. These parishes have remarkable and beautiful histories. More importantly, they are places where God is worshiped, the Good News of his love and salvation is lived and shared, and those in need are served.
For nearly ten years, your pastors, parish trustees, and the members of your parish and finance councils have been considering the future of your parishes in the life and mission of the Church, which has experienced a seismic shift from Christendom (a time when Christianity and the culture aligned and Christians lived the Christian life) to Apostolic Mission (a time when both Christianity and the culture need to be reinvigorated with the Good News of God’s love and salvation in Christ). You, the parishioners, were also invited to consider the future of your parishes at multiple Town Hall Meetings and in various other ways.
Consequently, these — your — parishes first began working together in 2014 and then came together as Mary, Mother of Our Savior in 2021. Since that time you have continued to assess your situation and take many active and commendable steps to be good stewards of your limited resources in order to focus on mission.
Recently, your pastor, Father Hage, reviewed with you various maintenance issues concerning the church of our Lady of the Rosary along with the limited financial resources available to address them now and for years to come. As a result, your trustees, finance council, pastoral council, and many of you have come to the conclusion that it is no longer possible to maintain Our Lady of the Rosary as an auxiliary church of Mary, Mother of our Savior.
Consequently, Father Hage has requested from me that the church of Our Lady of the Rosary be relegated to profane but not sordid use (closed) so that it can eventually be alienated (sold).
I have decided to grant this request. The Decree of Modification-Relegation is attached.
I am grateful to Father Salerno and Father Hage, the parish trustees, the members of the pastoral and finance councils, and to all of you for navigating these challenging times with faith and trust in the Lord. I am confident that this decision will help provide stable pastoral care as you continue to carry out the mission of the Church.
Parishes and churches are a significant part of our history and tradition and the loss of individual identity is certainly sad and something to be mourned. At the same time, it is a reminder that the Church is not merely a parish or a building, but the Body of Christ. When we are united in him we experience God's love and salvation - a tremendous grace and blessing that transcends all space and time!
The "Dogmatic Constitution on the Church" (Lumen Gentium) of the Second Vatican Council reminds us that "the Eucharist is the source and the summit of the Christian life" (no. 11) and is a "sacrament of unity." St. Peter Julian Eymard, a priest who devoted his life to helping people appreciate the Holy Eucharist, has stated: "Know, O Christian, that the Mass is the holiest act of religion. You cannot do anything to glorify God more, nor profit your soul more, than by devoutly assisting at it, and assisting as often as possible."I would like to take this opportunity to invite you not to forget the importance of the Mass in your life as a Catholic Christian and the importance of joining in its celebration on Sundays (the Lord's Day) and Holy days of Obligation wherever it is offered.
May the Lord bless you and fill you with the grace you need to be his witnesses moving forward as disciples and a parish on mission.
May the Lord bless you and fill you with the grace you need to be his witnesses moving forward as disciples and a parish on mission.
In the Name of Jesus,
Most Reverend Douglas J. Lucia
Bishop of Syracuse
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions and answers are intended to help parishioners understand the recent decree issued by Bishop Lucia regarding the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and the next steps for our parish family.
What has happened?
Bishop Lucia has issued a decree reducing the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary to profane but not sordid use, effective July 16, 2026.
The decree and Bishop Lucia’s accompanying letter were published on June 16, 2026.
Why was this decision made?
This decision follows many years of prayer, consultation, study, and discernment involving parish leadership, parishioners, and the Diocese.
As outlined in Bishop Lucia’s letter and the decree, factors included changing demographics, stewardship of resources, maintenance needs, and the parish’s desire to focus its efforts on evangelization, faith formation, and mission.
Who made the decision?
The final decision was made by Bishop Lucia after consultation with the Presbyteral Council and review of extensive parish documentation.
The process included years of consultation, parish discussion, financial review, pastoral planning, and diocesan discernment.
What is happening on July 16?
Bishop Lucia will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
This Mass will provide an opportunity to thank God for the many blessings that have flowed through the Rosary community and to entrust its legacy to the future mission of Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish.
All parishioners are warmly invited to participate.
Can I still attend Mass at Rosary before July 16?
Yes. Until July 16, parish liturgies and activities will continue according to the schedule announced by the parish.
What happens after July 16?
Once the decree becomes effective:
- The church will no longer be used as a worship site.
- Sacramental celebrations will no longer take place in the church.
- The Blessed Sacrament will be reverently removed from the church.
The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary will no longer function as a worship site after that date.
What will happen to the church building?
The decree addresses the church’s status as a worship site.
Any future decisions regarding the property will involve additional diocesan review and approval processes.
No immediate sale is taking place.
What will happen to the sacred items, memorials, and furnishings?
The parish is committed to preserving and appropriately caring for Rosary’s sacred treasures.
Sacred items, memorials, devotional objects, and furnishings will be reviewed and handled according to diocesan and canonical norms.
Whenever possible, these items will continue to serve the mission of the Church and remain part of the faith life of God’s people.
How is the parish preparing for this moment, and how can I participate?
The parish has formed a Rosary Campus Working Group to help accompany our parish family through this important moment in the life of our parish.
The Working Group is made up of parishioners, clergy, staff, and parish leaders who have a deep love for the Rosary community and are helping coordinate prayer opportunities, liturgical celebrations, historical preservation projects, and parish gatherings intended to honor the faith, history, and legacy of the Rosary community.
Current efforts include:
- Planning the Mass of Thanksgiving with Bishop Lucia on July 16, 2026
- Coordinating a Nine-Day Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, accompanied by a Holy Hour for prayer and reflection each evening during the nine days leading up to the Mass of Thanksgiving
- Preparing a Rosary Candlelight Vigil on the evening before the Mass of Thanksgiving
- Preserving parish history through the Rosary Memory Wall and Rosary Memory Book projects, which will have a permanent home on our unified parish campus
- Collecting photographs, stories, and historical materials that help tell the story of the Rosary community
- Identifying meaningful ways to preserve and share Rosary’s faith, history, and traditions for future generations
- Planning an outdoor parish picnic and fellowship gathering, catered by Michael T’s, immediately following the Mass of Thanksgiving
All parishioners are invited to participate in these opportunities for prayer, gratitude, fellowship, and remembrance. Updated information will continue to be shared through parish communications and announcements.
I am struggling with this decision. What should I do?
We recognize that many parishioners have deep personal connections to the Rosary community and may experience a range of emotions as they reflect on Bishop Lucia’s letter and decree.
We encourage parishioners to pray, participate in the opportunities for worship and fellowship being offered by the parish, and speak with Father Hage if they would like to discuss their thoughts or concerns.
The parish remains committed to accompanying all parishioners with compassion, respect, and care.
Where can I learn more?
Please read Bishop Lucia’s letter and the official decree posted above.
If you have additional questions, please contact the parish office or Father Hage.
We are committed to communicating openly, honestly, and pastorally throughout this process.
What is the most important thing to remember?
The Church is more than a building.
The faith, friendships, ministries, and mission that shaped the Rosary community continue within Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish.
We move forward together with gratitude for the past, trust in God’s providence, and hope for the future. The legacy of the Rosary community remains an important part of our shared parish story and will continue to inspire our mission for generations to come.
As Bishop Lucia reminds us, our call remains the same: to worship God, proclaim the Gospel, serve those in need, and continue Christ’s mission as one parish family.