The current pastor and canon lawyer, Reverend James Burke raised questions about the condition of the Collaborative he was assigned to serve in Lexington. As in many Collaboratives, geographical proximity and shared faith were insufficient to guarantee a successful union. Questioning whether the pairing was actually hindering the wellbeing of the parishes, he exhorted lay leaders to ask the Archdiocese to reevaluate the Collaborative.

In response to this request, the Vicar General, Bishop Mark O’Connell, made a pastoral visit to both parishes where he celebrated the Eucharistic and shared in hospitality. After the visitation, he asked separate representative groups of parishioners from each parish to meet with him. He proposed the option of dissolving the Collaborative and representatives of each parish agreed to this plan.

Bishop Mark asked that Sacred Heart return to its status as an intentional parish. It was recommended that it draw new parishioners from the surrounding areas who would appreciate its particular style of liturgy, music, service and parish life. The challenge was eagerly and gratefully accepted.