08/10/2026
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU FOR THE ST. DONATO FEAST DAY VIGIL
The Society of St. Frances Cabrini of Philadelphia extends our deepest gratitude to everyone who helped make the St. Donato Feast Day Vigil Mass and Pasta Bar Celebration such a beautiful and memorable evening.
We are especially grateful to Bishop Efren Esmilla for joining us and for his presence, support, and pastoral encouragement as we continue our efforts surrounding the historic St. Donato Church.
We offer our heartfelt thanks to Father Matthew Phelan, O. de M., Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes and overseer of the St Donato site whose support, guidance, and dedication have been so important to this continuing effort. We are deeply grateful for his commitment to the spiritual life of our community and to the future of St. Donato.
To all of the parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes we to want express our heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support you show to the Society of St Frances Cabrini of Philadelphia, your commitment to our mission is deeply valued.
To all of our benefactors and donors, thank you for believing in this mission and for helping make our work possible. Your generosity is helping us continue the important work of preserving a place that holds such profound spiritual and historical significance.
To our volunteers, who gave their time, energy, talents, and hearts to make the evening possible, we cannot thank you enough.
And to everyone who attended the St. Donato Feast Day Vigil Mass and Pasta Bar Celebration, thank you for coming, for praying with us, for celebrating with us, and for showing your support and love for St. Donato and its remarkable history.
Your presence demonstrated that St. Donato is more than a historic building. It is a place of faith, prayer, community, and memoryโand we are committed to doing everything we can to help preserve that legacy for generations to come.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
May St. Donato and St. Frances Cabrini continue to intercede for all who have supported this sacred mission.
Society of St Frances Cabrini of Philadelphia
AN IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION
We are also aware of a video currently circulating on social media that contains inaccurate information concerning the reopening of St. Donato Church and the individuals and organizations involved.
Because the video has reached a large audience, we believe it is important to respectfully set the record straight.
The Society of St. Frances Cabrini of Philadelphia is the only organization working with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia regarding St. Donato Church. The Society is also working closely with Father Matthew Phelan, O. de M., pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, in connection with these efforts.
Contrary to statements being circulated, Nick Russo and a group of friends did not petition the Archdiocese and did not reopen St. Donato Church. We are grateful to anyone who cares about St. Donato and wishes to see it preserved, but historical and organizational facts needs to be accurately represented.
It is also important to clarify that St. Donato Church has not been reopened for regular public use at this time. The church is currently open only for special occasions and approved events, including the recent Feast Day Vigil.
The Society continues to work with the Archdiocese as we seek a path forward for this historically significant church and its future.
We make this clarification not to diminish anyone's enthusiasm for St. Donato, but because the history of St. Donato matters. The people who have worked, prayed, sacrificed, donated, volunteered, and advocated for this sacred place deserve to have that history accurately recorded.
We invite everyone who loves St. Donato to join us in moving forward together, respectfully and truthfully, as we work toward preserving its legacy for future generations.
Thank you again to Bishop Esmilla, Father Phelan, our benefactors and donors, our volunteers, and everyone who joined us for the St. Donato Feast Day Vigil Mass and Pasta Bar Celebration.
May St. Donato and St. Frances Cabrini continue to intercede for us, and may God bless everyone who has helped keep the faith and memory of this sacred place alive.
The Society of St. Frances Cabrini of Philadelphia
