This website (shmcc.org) is not affiliated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The website was created by, and exclusively intended for, parishioners of Sacred Heart of Mary in Dundalk for the purpose of continuing to avail them of the sacraments and to keep them apprised of developments while their Vatican Appeal is processed. This is information, not available elsewhere, that parishioners are entitled to pursuant to canonical law regarding the right to appeal decrees and their U.S. First Amendment Right granting free speech.

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“The Sacred Heart of Mary Closure: Turning a Spiritual Community Into a Financial Liability”

A holy ground, a sacred place,
In Dundalk, where we found our grace.
Sacred Heart of Mary, our home, our light,
Now silent, shadowed in the fading night.
They said, "Evangelize, bring new souls in,"
We opened our doors, let the work begin.
Soccer games, laughter, and quinceañera dreams,
A community blooming, or so it seems.
We raised our funds, we did our part,
But the numbers they saw were a different chart.
They call our success a sign of decline,
A cruel twist of fate, a broken sign.

The offertory's not enough, they said,
As debt and taxes filled our heads.
The back-dated numbers, a sudden blow,
A burden of debt that would only grow.
The pastor's hard work, all for naught,
A battle against a war we never fought.
The doors are locked, the altar bare,
No Masses, no prayers, just empty air.
We stood in court, with a heavy heart,
To save the legacy, to play our part.
But the will's proceeds, they took them all,
As our sacred walls began to fall.

We gather now, in the stillness, in the cold,
Recalling the stories, brave and bold.
We pray for a miracle, a sign from above,
For justice and mercy, and unwavering love.
The Blessed Sacrament is gone from our sight,
But our faith still burns, a persistent light.
We wait on Rome, with hope in our soul,
To right the wrong, and make our parish whole.

For Sacred Heart of Mary, open her doors.
We lift our voice,
Restore our church, make our hearts rejoice.
In faith we stand,
For our church in Graceland Park.

On September 24, 2025, a letter (Italian/English translation) was sent to the Officials of the Dicastery requesting information on the progress of the Sacred Heart of Mary Vatican Appeal. To date, no response has been received.

Inquiry to Officials of the Dicastery

St. Rita Meeting

The top part of the image shows the altar area of a church with a crucifix on the wall behind it, decorated with flowers and religious items. The bottom part shows an auditorium with rows of chairs and a stage with a sign that reads 'St. Rita Meeting,' along with a poster of a saint holding a cross and a message inviting attendees to a church meeting on October 6.

On Monday October 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM there was a very important meeting regarding the future of St. Rita Catholic Church.

Some basic minutes from the St. Rita meeting. Several representatives from the AOB were in attendance. The Master Planning Committee is looking into the possibility of building a new church on the grounds of Our Lady of Hope and renaming the church name to promote unity. The goal is to build a new parish together as one.

Group sessions were formed to discuss three options for the St Rita building. Sacred Heart of Mary was not mentioned. AOB reiterated that St. Rita will never be a standalone parish. Final decisions have not been made. See discernment options.

A financial report titled 'St. Rita – Discernment Process – 6 October 2025' detailing church damage costs, savings, expenses, and options for church restoration, selling, or demolition.

October 8, 2025

Three church steeples with crosses on top, viewed against different sky backgrounds, with a faint overlay of a woman's face in the middle.

Sacred Heart of Mary Cross Removed From Steeple

On Friday August 22, 2025, the cross was removed from Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Earlier in the week, Monday, the cross was observed leaning towards Youngstown Ave. The cross was removed for potential safety reasons. The Archdiocese of Baltimore will most likely hold off on repairing until resolution of the SHM Vatican Appeal .

August 27, 2025

On August 18, 2025 The Sacred Heart of Mary Cross Atop the Steeple Tilted

Church steeple with a cross on top, surrounded by buildings and trees under a cloudy sky.

The significance of a leaning cross atop a steeple of a Catholic Church can be interpreted in various ways, often reflecting both spiritual and cultural meanings. Here are some insights:

• Spiritual Reminder: Many view the cross as a profound spiritual symbol, representing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. A leaning cross might serve as a reminder of the struggles and imperfections in life, symbolizing the need for faith and resilience.

• Historical Context: The cross has been a symbol of Christianity for thousands of years, and its position atop a steeple signifies the church's role as a beacon of faith. A leaning cross might also reflect the passage of time and the need for maintenance, reminding the community of their responsibility to care of their sacred spaces.

While a leaning cross may not have a universally accepted meaning, it often evokes reflection on faith, community, and the importance of maintaining the church's physical and spiritual integrity.

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Explore New Horizons

Discover breathtaking views and serene landscapes.

It's a sorrowful day when the familiar chime of church bells falls silent, especially when the parishioners of Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church located in Dundalk, Maryland have been praying that their church gets reinstated into a standalone local neighborhood serving Graceland.

The closing of a neighborhood Catholic Church is a wound felt deep within the heart of the community.

These bells, the very heartbeat of our faith, remind us of Jesus's constant presence within the tabernacle,

a beacon calling us to center our lives on Him. We hope and pray that the sounds of Sacred Heart of Mary do not turn into Sound of Silence.

We are blessed to have the opportunity to give thanks for the blessings in our lives and to reflect on the challenges we face, knowing that Jesus walks beside us. The local community of Sacred Heart of Mary is a family of brothers and sisters, where we share our love, talents, and treasures, strengthening our spiritual bonds. We humbly ask Pope Leo and Archbishop Lori to open the now closed door. Sacred Heart of Mary parishioners, both the seasoned and the newly welcomed, hold a deep reverence for the celebration of the Holy Sacraments. This shared faith has always been the foundation for joyful community events and vibrant ministries. The dedicated pastoral care at SHM has consistently served the Graceland Park community with compassion and timely outreach. We stand united in our belief: **Sacred Heart of Mary must remain a standalone parish** to continue serving the spiritual needs of Graceland Park. Let us work together, with renewed passion and unwavering faith, to restore this sacred space and ensure its continued presence for generations to come.

Sacred Heart of Mary Sound Of Silence

While the Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, located in Dundalk MD, bells still ring - will the “Sound of Silence” ring out?

A Vatican Appeal was filed in November 2024 on behalf of Sacred Heart of Mary parishioners. Four months later, due to a technicality, the Vatican Appeal was resubmitted in April 2025. We are expecting a response in August 2025 (based on a 4 month response from the initial filing) to either suspend the Archbishop Lori decree or reinstate Sacred Heart of Mary Church immediately.

It’s crucial, at this point in time, that we come together in prayer! That being said, Sacred Heart of Mary will be open for private prayer on September 17th, from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. This is our opportunity, through prayer, to keep the church bells of Sacred Heart of Mary ringing and prevent the devastating "Sound of Silence." If you can not be present during this time, please take a moment of silence to pause and pray during this time.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE AND BE PRESENT.

As we await the decision, the power of prayer is our only hope! Please consider stopping by and praying with friends and family.

Firefighters using a ladder and hose to extinguish a fire at St. Rita Catholic Church located in Dundalk, Maryland.

Please pray for the parishioners of St. Rita Catholic Church, parish of the former Pastorate of Sacred Heart of Mary and St. Rita. We pray that the church is fixed by the Archdiocese of Baltimore in a timely period so that parishioners can once again worship in this beautiful Dundalk Catholic church.

Learn more

Firefighters and a fire truck responding to a fire at a church, with smoke visible and equipment on the street.

O Mary, Conceived without Sin, Pray for Us Who Have Recourse to Thee

Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church building with a steeple and cross, surrounded by green trees and grass.

White flowers, possibly lilies, blooming in a garden bed with green foliage and a brick building with arched windows in the background.

White lilies and small yellow flowers in a flowerbed beside steps leading to a brick building with large columns.

Could these lilies be a sign of things to come for Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church? Only God knows. Only humans can hope and pray. It is never a good thing when a Catholic church closes. Souls and neighborhoods are affected. During the Middle Ages, the faithful saw reminders of Mary, the Mother of God, in the flowers and herbs growing around them. Violets were symbols of her humility, lilies her purity and roses her glory. They called her “Flower of Flowers,” and named plants after her. Marigolds were Mary’s Gold, clematis was the Virgin’s Bower and lavender was Our Lady’s Drying Plant. Please continue to pray and hope that SHM is reinstated.

White Apple EarPods with a wired connection resting on a white surface, partially connected to a silver device.

Sacred Heart of Mary Congregation Community Audio Files

Jump to Timeline

A locked gate with chains and a padlock, a bouquet of pink and white flowers tied to the chain, and a wooden background.

SUN: Is the Baltimore archdiocese defying a Vatican court order? Experts say yes.

May 15,2025

A simplified illustration of a person climbing stairs, with a blue background and black stairs.

Churches Closed, Appeals Pending - Bishop Lewandowski Earns Promotion

April 8, 2025

Archdiocese of Baltimore building located on Cathedral Street in Baltimore, Maryland.

Reforming the Clerical Culture

Is the Archdiocese of Baltimore hierarchy guilty of clericalism?

March 28, 2025

A police officer with short hair in uniform standing on the street, with police cars and other vehicles parked nearby, during what appears to be a police activity or scene summary.

Archdiocese of Baltimore Braces for Potential Threats, Cites Aggrieved Parishioners Post Mergers

March 15, 2025

A cartoon man in a tuxedo and top hat, smiling and holding a large bag of money, standing in front of a government building that is chained and padlocked, with a cloudy sky in the background.

Archdiocese Keeps Church Closed, Collects On Will Anyway

Appellant’s petition to delay the distribution of the remainder of Mr. John Zaczynski’s estate, $249,132 until adjudication of the Vatican appeal was overruled in a hearing held in Orphans’ Court …

March 7, 2025

News Received on Vatican’s Takeover of IVE

January 24, 2024

Church steeple with a cross on top, silhouetted against a cloudy sky with three birds flying in the background.

Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Reasons for Church Closures Remain Questionable

Retrospectively, AoB’s “Seek the City to Come” church consolidation initiative reveals itself ever more as a propaganda campaign geared to deflect blame for church closures and promote the benefits of mergers rather than a period of collaborative “discernment.” In reality the blame lies with the Archdiocese and the outcomes were already predetermined….

December 22, 2024