Draft:Host Catholic Church

Host Catholic Collaborative is a Roman Catholic collaborative located in Lynn, Massachusetts, formed in 2017 through the union of Holy Family Parish and St. Pius V Parish. This collaborative was established following a directive by Cardinal O'Malley as a means to foster a stronger, unified Catholic community in the area.

Background
Host Catholic Collaborative derives its name from the initial letters of "Holy Family" and "St. Pius V," reflecting the integration of the two parishes.

St. Pius V History
The Roman Catholic Parish of St. Pius V, located in Lynn, MA, was founded in 1912. It is characterized by its multi-ethnic, socially, culturally, and educationally diverse faith community. The first pastor, Reverend John P. Gorham, led the first liturgy on June 2, 1912. The church's foundation stone was laid on May 5, 1913, and its basement church opened on Christmas morning of the same year. The upper church, constructed under Msgr. Bernard O’Kane, was dedicated by Archbishop Richard Cushing on July 3, 1949. A school building and new rectory were added in 1955 and 1966, respectively, enhancing the parish's educational offerings. Over the years, the parish has been led by various pastors who contributed to its growth and community service, maintaining a vision of pastoral care and collaboration.

Seagull Rescue Incident
On Good Friday, March 29, 2024, St. Pius V Church in Lynn, Massachusetts, became the site of a notable community effort when a seagull became impaled on the church's roof. The incident prompted an urgent response from local firefighters and wildlife rescue organizations. Newhouse Wildlife Rescue of Chelmsford took to Facebook to issue a call for assistance after discovering the bird's plight. Despite initial challenges in accessing the bird due to the height of the roof and alleged difficulties in gaining permission to enter church property, the Lynn Fire Department successfully rescued the seagull.

Mission and Services
The collaborative aims to enrich the spiritual life of its members and the local community through a range of services, including daily Masses, faith formation programs, and various community outreach initiatives. It seeks to create an inclusive, welcoming environment that reflects the diversity and needs of its parishioners.