Priest Shortage Closes Our Lady of Fatima Church

A shortage of priests is forcing a Nicoma Park church to close its doors.

Friday, June 4th 2010, 10:06 pm

By: News 9


By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

NICOMA PARK, Oklahoma – A shortage of priests is forcing a Nicoma Park church to close its doors.

Our Lady of Fatima Church in Nicoma Park will hold its last mass at 4 p.m. Sunday followed by a dinner to honor the church employees and members.

Father Shane Tharp said the closing is due to the shortage of Catholic priests. Two priests are retiring from the parish and another is facing health issues.

"It's something we're able to talk about in the abstract 'oh there's not enough priests' and then it showed up on our doorstep," Father Tharp said. "For many people perhaps the better word is shock.  'You mean that's really what happens when there's not enough priests to go around?' And, the answer is yes."

Now the closing of the church didn't come without warning, Father Tharp said he got a letter from the Archdiocese a few months ago that the parish of 375 people would close. When the final word came out, it was a shock for the congregation.

"In many ways it is like presiding in a funeral," he said. "You must be allowed to grieve and be able to move forward."

Leonore Stramski has been going to Our Lady of Fatima Church since it opened 50 years ago.

"It's been my everything; it's been my home away from home," Stramski said. "It's my home church, and I've spent so many hours up here."

Stramski said she'll miss the church, but still has faith.

"It's going to be a big void," she said. "Through the years I just said 'Thy will be done.' With all the different things I've been through in life I've had to rely on that. It's what I do."

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

June 4th, 2010

March 14th, 2024

December 4th, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024