Parishioners mark one year of protests

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - It's been an entire year since the parishioners of Holyoke's Mater Dolorosa began protesting the closing of their church.

In recognition of the one year mark, a celebration was held Saturday night in Chicopee.

Earlier this month the parishioners agreed to leave the church building while the Vatican investigates their appeal.

But the protestors told 22News that doesn't mean they're giving up the fight.

“We're praying outside the church every Friday night. We have a prayer service that's well attended. The people have not given up. They're still raring to go and they want their church back for worship,” Victor Anop told 22news.

The Vatican has upheld the closing of the Mater Dolorosa parish, which has merged with another Holyoke parish.

But the parishioners want to be able to use their church building for worship.