Catholic Church to Close Due to Priest Shortage, Building Repairs Needed

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A Catholic Church in the metro is closing its doors this Sunday after its last service in Nicoma Park.

Oklahoma City Archbishop Eusebius Beltran said he decided to close Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church because of a shortage of Roman Catholic priests and the need for a new rectory and building repairs.

Long time parishioners said they're shocked by the news.

"I was devastated. This church is a part of me, and it's my family. We do a lot to help with local charity work around our community," Leonore Stramski, who's been with the church since its opening in 1960.

Our Lady of Fatima Church has about 375 members in the congregation.

The last mass will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday followed by an honorable dinner with members of the church.