Dear Bishop Galante,
Please be assured that we are praying for you as Christ taught us, even amid our anguish and distress at the prospect of our churches--in many cases the historic churches for which our ancestors toiled--being closed. We pray that you, the pastor of pastors, heed Christ's command that you be willing to lay down your life for your sheep, to keep always in your sight the welfare of the souls entrusted to your care. Yours is a great responsibility, and your flock is great.
We need our churches, and are especially attached to the historic churches and communities of our people. They are part of us and part of the way in which we approach our Lord. God created us as physical beings, and these special places are His way to our hearts. Churches are not generic for a reason: to some degree they are meant to reflect the particular spirituality and character of their communites and serve their needs.
What mystifies all of us, Bishop Galante, is the reason why these churches are being proposed to be closed. In the case of St. Mary's in Malaga, for example, there is no debt, it is financially secure, it has a holy and faithful priest, it has fostered vocations to the priesthood simply by virtue of its presence, it has a shrine and gardens that are lovingly cared for by its parishioners, it has a beautiful history, its attendance is as high as it has ever been (it's always been small),* and it is a powerhouse of prayer in a dark world. My goodness, I cannot think of a better church! It should be the last one a bishop would want to close. Why? Can you be honest and forthright in explaining to us how you propose to sell these properties in the current real estate climate and what, precisely, the money is earmarked for?
The faithful of the Diocese of Camden deserve to know what's really going on, what the motivation for all this is. We are to go forth and make disciples of all the nations. I feel certain the way NOT to make disciples this is to take away their churches. We plead with you, Bishop Galante, to communicate with us. Please pray that you do the will of God in all things. Please ask Our Lord to lead you along the right path. If you do, I am certain that you will not allow churches like St. Mary's to close. And throughout this difficult process, we will pray for you. In turn, please pray for us and that the Holy Ghost, especially in this upcoming season of Pentecost, will be with us and inspire us all to do the will of the Father.
May the Lord Bless You,
Julie Heiland
(Please feel free to add your signature to the letter, and comments/questions, by adding a comment below.)
*St. Mary's Malaga never even had a second Sunday mass until 1950. There were no weekday masses at St. Mary's until 1961, when it became an independent parish. Eighty-six years ago St. Mary's had only about 100 registered parishioners. It has many times that number now. Like so many other churches proposed for closure, St. Mary's hasn't shrunk: it's grown. We need St. Mary's now, more than ever!
Please be assured that we are praying for you as Christ taught us, even amid our anguish and distress at the prospect of our churches--in many cases the historic churches for which our ancestors toiled--being closed. We pray that you, the pastor of pastors, heed Christ's command that you be willing to lay down your life for your sheep, to keep always in your sight the welfare of the souls entrusted to your care. Yours is a great responsibility, and your flock is great.
We need our churches, and are especially attached to the historic churches and communities of our people. They are part of us and part of the way in which we approach our Lord. God created us as physical beings, and these special places are His way to our hearts. Churches are not generic for a reason: to some degree they are meant to reflect the particular spirituality and character of their communites and serve their needs.
What mystifies all of us, Bishop Galante, is the reason why these churches are being proposed to be closed. In the case of St. Mary's in Malaga, for example, there is no debt, it is financially secure, it has a holy and faithful priest, it has fostered vocations to the priesthood simply by virtue of its presence, it has a shrine and gardens that are lovingly cared for by its parishioners, it has a beautiful history, its attendance is as high as it has ever been (it's always been small),* and it is a powerhouse of prayer in a dark world. My goodness, I cannot think of a better church! It should be the last one a bishop would want to close. Why? Can you be honest and forthright in explaining to us how you propose to sell these properties in the current real estate climate and what, precisely, the money is earmarked for?
The faithful of the Diocese of Camden deserve to know what's really going on, what the motivation for all this is. We are to go forth and make disciples of all the nations. I feel certain the way NOT to make disciples this is to take away their churches. We plead with you, Bishop Galante, to communicate with us. Please pray that you do the will of God in all things. Please ask Our Lord to lead you along the right path. If you do, I am certain that you will not allow churches like St. Mary's to close. And throughout this difficult process, we will pray for you. In turn, please pray for us and that the Holy Ghost, especially in this upcoming season of Pentecost, will be with us and inspire us all to do the will of the Father.
May the Lord Bless You,
Julie Heiland
(Please feel free to add your signature to the letter, and comments/questions, by adding a comment below.)
*St. Mary's Malaga never even had a second Sunday mass until 1950. There were no weekday masses at St. Mary's until 1961, when it became an independent parish. Eighty-six years ago St. Mary's had only about 100 registered parishioners. It has many times that number now. Like so many other churches proposed for closure, St. Mary's hasn't shrunk: it's grown. We need St. Mary's now, more than ever!
Great letter. Let us all know if you get any answers. I've written and have not received any response. This plan is just change for the sake of change. Or maybe change for the sake of ego. Either way it is unacceptable!
By the way, this website is beautiful. You are very talented!
What a great letter! You were truly inspired with your letter as well as a beautiful website! Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you. Let us continue to pray for God's Will in our diocese. Please pray for an increase in vocations and for God's Divine Providence to work in all our lives. Let us all unite in prayer at the Divine Mercy Hour each day for good to come from this division. We all know the power of the Rosary - it has stopped wars - we know Our Mother will intercede in this war also, for the glory of God. May tomorrow, Pentecost Sunday, bring an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all. Thanks again for your dedication and love for the church. God Bless you and your beautiful family.