Re: Closed Churches on Prime Real Estate (7/13/08)
by Kathy Creary, St. Anthony's Parish, Waterford
Speak Up Sessions
As a follow up to Ms. Rosenbleeth's very well written comments on Church closings (7/13), I too attended the speak up sessions held in April 2005 at my Parish of St. Anthony's in Waterford which is also on the Bishop's "hit list".
After two hours at our speak up session, I honestly felt the same as Ms. Rosenbleeth that these sessions were a waste of our time and that it was just the Bishop and his "spin doctors" way to try and make us feel we were part of the "process".
In his April announcement, the Bishop said that the low percentage (24% according to his numbers) of parishioners who attend Mass and Liturgies is one of his reasons for the mergers/suppressions of our Parishes.
Shepherd of the Diocese
In the Bible ~ Matthew ~ Chapter 18 vs. 12-13 "A man owns a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away; will he not leave the 99 out in the hills and go in search of the stray? If he succeeds in finding it, believe me he is happier about this one than about the 99 that did not stray."
If I were a member of the Diocesan Planning Committee, I would have suggested that the "Shepherd" of our Diocese first reach out to those 76% who do not attend Mass and various liturgies and find out WHY and what can be done to bring them back, rather than punish those of us who are faithful, supportive and involved.
Priest Shortage
As to the "Priest Shortage", since the Bishop's announcement in April, 21 valued, involved, diocesan priests have either retired or transferred out of the diocese.
Kinda makes you wonder why.
Diocesan Politics
I also did some checking and research on the Bishop's Presbyterial Council and Planning Committee who decided the fate of all our Parishes:
~ The Executive Secretary's parish is being kept open
~ The Recording Secretary's Parish is being kept open
~ There are 7 "Ex Officio" Members - ALL of their parishes are being kept open
~ There are 9 "Appointed" Members - 7 out of 9 of their parishes will remain open
~ There are 3 "Elected" Members - ALL of their parishes are being kept open
~ There are 12 "Deanery" Representatives - 9 of their parishes are being kept open
The numbers speak for themselves.
Bishop Galante will be retiring in 4 years when he reaches the mandatory age of 75.
We are the first diocese he has ever been in charge of and I have to wonder how he sleeps at night since the legacy he will leave behind is one of utter chaos and destruction.
Excellent response, Kathy. Thank you for your contribution. -Julie