Effective Sept. 1, Our Lady of Victory in north Minneapolis will suspend operations as it faces financial challenges, the pastor and parochial administrator said in an Aug. 1 letter to parishioners that followed a June 22 all-parish meeting, when the announcement was first made.
A final Mass before the suspension will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Aug. 27, and will include an opportunity to thank and congratulate the pastor, Father Terrence Hayes, 81, as he retires after 51 years of active ministry, including 30 years at OLV, the letter to parishioners said. A note in the parish bulletin urged people to invite former OLV parishioners and others to bring memorabilia, reminisce and commemorate the parish’s history.
The suspension could lead to a parish merger, said the letter, signed by Father Hayes and Father Michael Tix, parochial administrator and a vicar general of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. “Father Hayes and Father Tix, along with your Parish Trustees, will be making a recommendation to Archbishop (Bernard) Hebda about a local parish being named partner with OLV in the short-term, which may lead to a canonical merger in the future,” the letter said.
Some OLV parishioners have suggested several possible partners, including Holy Cross in Minneapolis, Sacred Heart in Robbinsdale and St. Alphonsus in Brooklyn Center, the letter said. “The hope is that a merger will help stabilize the financial situation so that OLV church will be able to reopen for regular Masses in the future and remain an active witness to the good news of Jesus Christ in north Minneapolis,” the letter said.
Meanwhile, the church will be available for baptisms, weddings, funerals and other special celebrations, but there will not be daily or weekend Masses at OLV, the letter said. The parish office will have limited hours to help meet parishioner and administrative needs and care for the building site.
In an interview with The Catholic Spirit, Father Tix said he was appointed parochial administrator of the parish in January, as Father Hayes faced knee replacement surgery and financial challenges at OLV. Father Hayes, however, remains pastor and is involved in all decisions about the parish, Father Tix said.
OLV was founded in 1945. The parish’s 78 years have included a commitment to education, Father Tix said, with a now-closed parish school that opened in 1948 and at one point had about 1,000 students. Most recently, the school building was leased to Legacy of Dr. Josie R. Johnson Montessori School, and the parish depended on the rental income to operate. But JJ Legacy School fell behind on rent, contributing to cash flow and debt challenges at the parish, Father Tix said. The school continues to owe rent, and no agreement has been reached to renew the lease. No tenant has been found for the 2023-2024 school year, Father Tix said.
Father Tix said it is a difficult time for many in the parish, with a feeling of “sadness that could be likened to a death in the family. Those are the words I hear, over and over.”
The Aug. 1 letter noted the sadness. It concluded: “However, as people of faith we look to the cross and remember that death is not the end. Jesus’ resurrection conquers death and promises new life. … In this time for OLV we look to Mary’s example of faith and trust as we stand at this cross-like moment with our hope in Jesus’ promise of resurrection and new life.”
