Mark Cook, parishioner and ASA Task Force member, is replying to a comment from this post a ways down the page. He's asking questions. Would anyone care to tackle this?
Mark, thanks for your comment.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The future
From "Only the Saints Can Save Us" an article that gives food for thought to all Catholics who love their faith. It's from a website devoted to a 'balanced view of religion and spirituality.' A wide range of perspectives are represented. Here's a snippet from the article :
"The future of the Church is not in the hands of its leaders, whose exhortations seem increasingly to fall on deaf ears. It is in the hands of ordinary men and women who are willing to live lives that make no sense unless Jesus Christ is who we believe Him to be. In the end, it is only the saints who can save us."
"The future of the Church is not in the hands of its leaders, whose exhortations seem increasingly to fall on deaf ears. It is in the hands of ordinary men and women who are willing to live lives that make no sense unless Jesus Christ is who we believe Him to be. In the end, it is only the saints who can save us."
Sunday, July 25, 2010
"Difficult decisions"
In an All Saints Parish Bulletin article dated July 25, 2010 and titled "For Generations to Come," Deacon Dean Condon mentions the recent layoffs of Alene Goodman and Eleanor Black. He says, "A few weeks ago, I had to make one of the most difficult decisions that any responsible leader ever has to make. I had to do what was one necessary step to reduce expenses. While I prayed long and hard about what to do, after reviewing all the options, I did what has been done four times in the recent past; I laid off two dedicated employees. This was heart-wrenching to me and to those who have worked along side these people. Both were wonderful long-term employees who have done great work. I encourage you to pray for them and help them in any way possible during this difficult time."
While I appreciate the deacon's understanding of "difficult decisions that any responsible leader ever has to make" it would seem a bit strange to describe as responsible the manner in which the layoffs were actually carried out.
Deacon Dean describes the employees as "dedicated", "wonderful long-term employees who have done great work." Yet, he declines, in two Bulletin communications, to even name them. Decades of service to our parish, to the parishioners, and these two employees merit nothing further than a nameless mention with an exhortation to pray and help them? Most of us wouldn't even know how to get in touch with them outside of their work phones and email, which were made unavailable the day they were laid off.
No opportunity for parishioners to thank them. No good-bye parties, no career highlights, photos or trips down memory lane. Nothing. Literally. Nothing. Is that what the layoff of "dedicated", "wonderful long-term employees who have done great work" looks like?
God forbid!
While I appreciate the deacon's understanding of "difficult decisions that any responsible leader ever has to make" it would seem a bit strange to describe as responsible the manner in which the layoffs were actually carried out.
Deacon Dean describes the employees as "dedicated", "wonderful long-term employees who have done great work." Yet, he declines, in two Bulletin communications, to even name them. Decades of service to our parish, to the parishioners, and these two employees merit nothing further than a nameless mention with an exhortation to pray and help them? Most of us wouldn't even know how to get in touch with them outside of their work phones and email, which were made unavailable the day they were laid off.
No opportunity for parishioners to thank them. No good-bye parties, no career highlights, photos or trips down memory lane. Nothing. Literally. Nothing. Is that what the layoff of "dedicated", "wonderful long-term employees who have done great work" looks like?
God forbid!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
A message
Saving Our Parish has received a heartfelt message from a visitor. We have permission to share it:
To all those that have contributed in creating this website,
Thank you for using your time, energy and talents in creating this web page for parishioners to turn to in this time of disappointment and confusion in their Catholic Community. As Alene's daughter, I just wanted to let you know how much your support means to her and to our family and that others have taken their time to take this on. Taking action is the only thing we can do at this point and you have provided easy, convenient ways for people to do just that! I cannot thank you enough for being behind my mom, it is a large part of the peace that she does have in her heart right now!
Best of luck in your efforts to create awareness and hopefully results!
Kaleen Goodman
To all those that have contributed in creating this website,
Thank you for using your time, energy and talents in creating this web page for parishioners to turn to in this time of disappointment and confusion in their Catholic Community. As Alene's daughter, I just wanted to let you know how much your support means to her and to our family and that others have taken their time to take this on. Taking action is the only thing we can do at this point and you have provided easy, convenient ways for people to do just that! I cannot thank you enough for being behind my mom, it is a large part of the peace that she does have in her heart right now!
Best of luck in your efforts to create awareness and hopefully results!
Kaleen Goodman
Monday, July 19, 2010
Announcing Thursday's Chat Topic!
Hey all, as requested, Thursday's chat topic is slated for 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., or later if need be, and will center on the recent layoffs.
We'll throw out a few questions, if needed, and let parishioners have a forum in which to discuss these latest actions by the parish leadership.
Now, a few rules. We don't make personal attacks. We don't make unsubstantiated accusations, even if you know they are true. You have to back them up--names, dates, times, places...ya know?
Strong personal opinions are fine -- just not ones that make personal attacks, like name-calling and so on. We have a high calling from Jesus Christ. Let's keep to it.
So, travel on over to Saving Our Parish and click on the Coffee and Donuts link. Again, THURSDAY, July 22 at 7 p.m.
Be there or be square!
We'll throw out a few questions, if needed, and let parishioners have a forum in which to discuss these latest actions by the parish leadership.
Now, a few rules. We don't make personal attacks. We don't make unsubstantiated accusations, even if you know they are true. You have to back them up--names, dates, times, places...ya know?
Strong personal opinions are fine -- just not ones that make personal attacks, like name-calling and so on. We have a high calling from Jesus Christ. Let's keep to it.
So, travel on over to Saving Our Parish and click on the Coffee and Donuts link. Again, THURSDAY, July 22 at 7 p.m.
Be there or be square!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Good question
Down at the post True Love, someone has asked the question, 'What do you mean by infiltration of Protestantism?'
Would anyone want to tackle that? You can post your comments here, or write a short for/against piece and have it posted as a guestblogger.
Would anyone want to tackle that? You can post your comments here, or write a short for/against piece and have it posted as a guestblogger.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The right, the duty...
Did you know that the Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church speaks clearly to the truth that lay Catholics have the right to express their views to their Pastors, as well as other Catholics? Here's a bit:
Can. 212, Sec.3 They have the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church. They have the right also to make their views known to others of Christ's faithful, but in doing so they must always respect the integrity of faith and morals, show due reverence to the Pastors and take into account both the common good and the dignity of individuals.
Please keep praying for the parishioners and staff.
Can. 212, Sec.3 They have the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church. They have the right also to make their views known to others of Christ's faithful, but in doing so they must always respect the integrity of faith and morals, show due reverence to the Pastors and take into account both the common good and the dignity of individuals.
Please keep praying for the parishioners and staff.
Friday, July 16, 2010
All Saints Academy
Check out the e-newsletter of the All Saints Academy Task Force at our website. Do you have any ideas or suggestions for them? You may know one or more of the members. Let them know what you're thinking, or post any comments or suggestions here.
All Saints Academy needs your support!
All Saints Academy needs your support!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Coffee and donuts
Over at our website (savingourparish.com) we're about to begin weekly chats on our forum "Coffee and Donuts". What topics are you interested in discussing?
Simple machinations
"Human progress planned as alternatives (to God's plan) introduce injustice, evil and violence rising against the divine plan of justice and salvation. And despite transitory and apparent successes, they are reduced to simple machinations destined to dissolution and failure." -- Pope John Paul II
One week all parishioners are urged to begin giving $5 a week more in order to solve our budget problems, but when the very next week two long-time employees are let go, it seems 'machinations' are in play. Why weren't parishioners given the opportunity to give more (again)?
And if the budget has already been cut to the bone, we'd like to see in what way. But parishioners are given very few particulars. The money we hand over each week is never really accounted for in a detailed way. We are given a 'big picture' view.
As a parishioner not on the finance council, would you like to have a more detailed budget presented? If so, how far into specifics? If you feel it's none of your business, let us know why you are not concerned.
One week all parishioners are urged to begin giving $5 a week more in order to solve our budget problems, but when the very next week two long-time employees are let go, it seems 'machinations' are in play. Why weren't parishioners given the opportunity to give more (again)?
And if the budget has already been cut to the bone, we'd like to see in what way. But parishioners are given very few particulars. The money we hand over each week is never really accounted for in a detailed way. We are given a 'big picture' view.
As a parishioner not on the finance council, would you like to have a more detailed budget presented? If so, how far into specifics? If you feel it's none of your business, let us know why you are not concerned.
On being Catholic
Leaving aside for the moment the difficulties, what joys do you associate with your Catholic faith? Why?
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Clericalism
Here's a great article on the problem of clericalism in our parishes. While the author points mostly to clergy, he doesn't spare the laity, either. From the article:
How that plays out on the ground is familiar to anybody who has ever had to deal with the lay religious professional who has carved out his or her niche on the liturgy committee or the RCIA or the Whatnot Committee. Such people can be more territorial than high-strung little yip dogs and as contemptuous of the unwashed as the most ferocious Pharisee. If some impertinent person dares to wonder why there is sand in the holy water font for Lent or why the kneelers have been ripped out and the pews moved so close that it is physically impossible to kneel during the liturgy, they will receive a mixture of condescending explanation and impatient tongue-lashing for their sinister pre-Vatican II tendencies by the local Ubergruppenfuehrer for Liturgical Experimentation with an M.A. from Seattle U (“an institution in the Jesuit tradition”).
Very familiar. The congregation is held in contempt, and they know it.
How that plays out on the ground is familiar to anybody who has ever had to deal with the lay religious professional who has carved out his or her niche on the liturgy committee or the RCIA or the Whatnot Committee. Such people can be more territorial than high-strung little yip dogs and as contemptuous of the unwashed as the most ferocious Pharisee. If some impertinent person dares to wonder why there is sand in the holy water font for Lent or why the kneelers have been ripped out and the pews moved so close that it is physically impossible to kneel during the liturgy, they will receive a mixture of condescending explanation and impatient tongue-lashing for their sinister pre-Vatican II tendencies by the local Ubergruppenfuehrer for Liturgical Experimentation with an M.A. from Seattle U (“an institution in the Jesuit tradition”).
Very familiar. The congregation is held in contempt, and they know it.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
We are not alone
Just to keep it real, here's some perspective on the problems All Saints Parish is having:
Does not every moment in the Passion write large some common element in the sufferings of our race? First, the prayer of anguish; not granted. Then He turns to His friends. They are asleep--as ours, or we, are so often, or busy, or away, or preoccupied. Then He faces the Church; the very Church that He brought into existence. It condemns Him. This also is characteristic. In every Church, in every institution, there is something which sooner or later works against the very purpose for which it came into existence. (Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer by C. S. Lewis)
Does not every moment in the Passion write large some common element in the sufferings of our race? First, the prayer of anguish; not granted. Then He turns to His friends. They are asleep--as ours, or we, are so often, or busy, or away, or preoccupied. Then He faces the Church; the very Church that He brought into existence. It condemns Him. This also is characteristic. In every Church, in every institution, there is something which sooner or later works against the very purpose for which it came into existence. (Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer by C. S. Lewis)
Questions...
What has happened to our parish? And what can we do? I am a disheartened and disillusioned parishioner struggling with questions like: Do I leave the parish I love? Is there any possibility for a change of leadership? Who can help us? I fear for the loss of All Saints Parish as little by little, bit by bit, we are losing our Catholic identity.
--- From guestblogger St. John Vianney
--- From guestblogger St. John Vianney
Just sayin'
Isn't it odd that when the stated goal for our parish is to 'Take Corning for Christ' that one of the key employees in Catholic evangelization (Faith Formation Director) is abruptly 'laid off''--an employee who was quite successful in bringing people to the Catholic Church? And, did you know that All Saints Parish is one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Rochester, yet has only 1.5 people on staff to provide for faith formation?
Also, did you know that there are 2 full-time business positions and 5.5 pastoral ministry positions? With numbers like that, it seems taking Corning for Christ isn't quite the focus we're told it is. The financial business of the parish seems more the focus than faith formation.
Just sayin'.
Also, did you know that there are 2 full-time business positions and 5.5 pastoral ministry positions? With numbers like that, it seems taking Corning for Christ isn't quite the focus we're told it is. The financial business of the parish seems more the focus than faith formation.
Just sayin'.
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