Decree

In Nomine Domini



Upon the recommendation of Reverend Phillip B. Earley, Pastor of Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish and Saint Dorothy Parish, both territorial parishes in Wilmington and South Tewksbury, Massachusetts; and with the concurrence of the Very Reverend Christopher J. Casey, Vicar

Forane; and His Excellency, Most Reverend Robert F. Hennessey, Regional Bishop for the Merrimack Region of the Archdiocese of Boston ("Archdiocese"); and after a thorough study of the pastoral situation of the parishes in the vicariate and an extensive consultation of the Christian faithful and the Pastors of the parishes in the neighboring area;

Having presented all pertinent and necessary information to the Presbyteral Council of the

Archdiocese on December 7, 2017, and having heard the same council in accord with canon 515 {2, with careful consideration of the pastoral study, the pastoral plan of the Archdiocese, Disciples in Mission, of the just and serious reasons for merging the parishes, and of the consultation of the faithful, with dutiful concern for the spiritual needs of the Catholic Community in Wilmington, South Tewksbury, and of the whole Archdiocese of Boston;

1 hereby decree the merger of SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA AND SAINT DOROTHY

PARISHES in Wilmington, Massachusetts to form one new parish to be known as the PARISH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION, in WILMINGTON, Massachusetts. The just and serious reasons that motivate this action include the need to have a single faith community, capable of more effectively sustaining itself, evangelizing and sharing the resources of the Catholic Community in Wilmington and South Tewksbury.

I further decree that:

The canonical registers of Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish and Saint Dorothy Parish are to be kept at the new parish, the Parish of the Transfiguration, Wilmington, Massachusetts;

The territory of Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish and Saint Dorothy Parish become the territory of the Parish of the Transfiguration, Wilmington, Massachusetts;

The goods and obligations of Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish and Saint Dorothy Parish become the goods and obligations of the Parish of the Transfiguration, Wilmington, Massachusetts.

This decree is to be notified to the Pastor and to the Faithful of the new parish. A petition for revocation or emendation of this decree is subject to the applicable canons (CIC, cc. 1732-1739).

This decree shall be effective at 12:01 AM on January 31, 2018. Given at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Boston in Braintree, Massachusetts, this 3 ^rd day of January, 2018.