Changes on the way for two Saugus parishes

SAUGUS – St. Margaret’s Parish and Blessed Sacrament have long questioned what would happen if there were only one priest available to serve the Catholic community and now the day has come for an answer.The six-year term of office of both the Rev. George Morin of St. Margaret’s and the Rev. John Mulloy of Blessed Sacrament will be completed this summer, meaning change is on the way.According to a press release issued by Morin, Mulloy has decided it would be best for both him and the parish if he moved on, but Morin is staying put. While the plan is to replace Mulloy with another priest, instead of retreating to their separate Roman Catholic parishes, Morin and the new priest will join forces and the two will co-pastor both parishes.”Father Mulloy will definitely be missed,” said Martha Lecaroz, secretary at Blessed Sacrament. “But change is a part of life.”In the release, Morin said the idea has been pitched to the Archbishop.”Last week Sister Marian Batho C.S.J., Archdiocesan Secretary for Regional Services, announced to members of the councils that Cardinal Sean O’Malley has approved this plan,” Morin wrote.Over the years the pastoral councils of both churches have met regularly with an eye on the future. Of concern was how the two churches could work more closely together and what would happen when the day came that only one priest would be available to serve the Catholic community.Lecaroz said the joint council’s plan is simple. Both churches will maintain their separate buildings and will largely operate as business as usual, but there will be co-priests running the show.Mary Inserra, who has attended both churches over the years, said she is unfazed by the pending changes.”It doesn’t bother me in the least,” she said.Inserra said she attended St. Margaret’s Parish for years but has recently begun attending Blessed Sacrament.”The simple reason is at St. Margaret’s the parking lot is in the back, it’s harder to get parking and I have a bad back,” she said. “Blessed Sacrament is more accessible to me.”Inserra said she felt like she adjusted to the change in churches and she’ll adjust to the change when Mulloy leaves.”Both (Mulloy and Morin) are very nice,” she added. “They are very nice to talk with.”Lecaroz said she attended Blessed Sacrament most of her life with the exception of a few years. After coming back to the church, she later went to work as secretary and over the last year has grown close to Mulloy by virtue of her job.”It will be different,” she said. “I have mixed emotions. I will miss him but I know he’s happy.”While both churches have been informed of the changes, a meeting will be held March 2, from 2-4 p.m. in Blessed Sacrament Hall on Summer Street to discuss the partnership plans. Parishioners from both parishes are invited and their input and questions are welcome.