'We're upset': Parishioners get word St. Joachim's church closing

Emotions were high at St. Joachim's Catholic Church on Sunday as parishioners were told the church would be closing in February.

"I'm hurt, it is the emotional attachment, it's been my church," said Sabra Howe, who has been coming to the east Saint John church for more than 40 years.

But Bishop Robert Harris told the congregation the church is more than $500,000 in debt and that debt is growing by $50,000 a year. For years the Saint John diocese has been supporting it, but as attendance declines, Harris said the diocese can no longer afford the expense.

There were about 220 people at Sunday's mass, but Harris said many came only because it was announced beforehand that he would be addressing the congregation.

"All the people who are here today aren't usually here on the weekend," Harris said. "Usually you have about 120 people maximum who come here."

The last mass at St. Joachim's will be on Feb. 5. It will then merge with St. Ann's church — which is more profitable — about a 10-minute drive away.

St. Ann's pastoral rep Barbara Ellemberg was at St. Joachim's on Sunday to encourage parishioners to give it a try.

"No matter what closures come in the future, if people realize that they're practicing their faith and they're getting together, that's more important," she said.

But Howe says she'll likely go to an entirely different church.

"We're upset," she said.