Church wants to keep its doors open

MALAGA, N.J. - April 29, 2008 (WPVI) -- A South Jersey Catholic church, set for closure, says it has a good reason to keep it's doors open.

St. Mary's Church is located near the busy intersection of Routes 47 and 40 in Malaga, Gloucester County.

It has served the spiritual needs of Catholics for 86 years. There are only 250 families in the parish, but Pastor Jerome Romanowski said its location draws many passersby.

St. Mary's Malaga is slated to close its doors within two years.

Under a major parish reconfiguration announced by Camden Bishop Joseph Gallante earlier this year, St. Mary's will merge with three other area parishes much to the sadness of church members who say despite it's small size, it's a vibrant parish with solid finances.

Over the years, St. Mary's has sprouted numerous prayer gardens.

St. Mary's parishioners say this is one more feature that attracts worshipers.

Father Romanowski has already written to the Vatican to try and save his church.

On Friday, parishioners will travel to Camden to stage what they're calling, not a protest, but a procession outside the Diocesan building.

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