Montco church changes name to honor Mother Teresa's upcoming sainthood

Parish renaming honors Mother Teresa's sainthood

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Schwenksville, Montgomery County, has changed its name to St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in advance of Mother Teresa's canonization in September, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Saturday.

A special Mass to commemorate the name change was said at the Catholic church Saturday afternoon, followed by the unveiling of a new sign on the side of the parish education center. The 10th anniversary of the parish was celebrated afterward.

Father Paul Brandt, pastor for the last 10 years, said that while the church was built in 2012, the parish was established in July 2006 and had worshipped in different locations before the church was built at 256 Swamp Pike. He said the name change would take effect after Saturday's Mass.

Pope Francis is to declare the former missionary, who dedicated her life to the poor in India, a saint on Sept. 4 at the Vatican. - Julie Shaw