by Tom Quinn

For decades, Our Lady of Mount Carmel has served in the dual role of religious structure and Italian-American community gathering place. The Catholic Diocese of Worcester shut down the religious aspect of the building when it shuttered the damaged building in May, but the Italian Festival this year brought parishioners and others to the parking lot by the church for celebration that also served a dual purpose – fun-filled social gathering and fundraising effort.

Last year, which marked the festival's return after a multi-year hiatus, there was no confusion over where the money raised from the festival would go – to Mount Carmel. This year, with the church hierarchy pushing to demolish the church and merge the parish with Our Lady of Loreto and a group of parishioners fighting to raise repair money to keep it open, things were more fluid.

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Source: http://worcestermag.com/