Monday, June 4, 2012

Going, going...


Condolences to our brothers and sisters at Christ the Redeemer Parish in Elmira, NY. The parish is selling not one, but two of its three churches – Our Lady of Lourdes in West Elmira and St. Charles Borromeo in Elmira Heights – as well as other church properties. This leaves only St. Casimir’s Church. (For sale price information, see here.

This bulletin insert from February explains the situation succinctly. Parish membership and Mass attendance is down, expenses for 12 properties are up. By selling churches and related properties, the parish hopes to stabilize its finances. However, the experience of other parishes makes this unlikely.

Why? Because while selling or leasing properties other than churches (convents, rectories, and schools) can be helpful, selling churches intensifies the parish’s death spiral. A certain percentage of parishioners will leave the parish when their church closes. Some remaining parishioners will decrease their contributions. The emotional ties and commitment to the parish weaken, not only harming finances, but parish ministries and community spirit as well.

Based on experience, the next move would be to merge with Blessed Sacrament Parish, comprised of St. Patrick’s Church and Sts. Peter & Paul Church, and/or St. Mary’s Parish, all in the city of Elmira. Then additional churches would be closed, again in the name of decreased attendance and funds.

Sound familiar? 

-- Susan M.

12 comments:

  1. In March, a local Salvation Army representative stated that the SA was seriously considering the purchase of IHM. He stated that because the main campus does not have handicap-accessible restrooms, it may be necessary to tear down part/all of the main church to construct a suitable facility. This past Friday, the SA was at IHM, measuring.

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  2. Seriously? I thought IHM was going to be the Youth Group church. I thought our two parish priests would have a rectory to live in. Oh thats right, its all about the money with these people.

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  3. APPEAL APPEAL APPEAL! The only hope is to appeal these closures as soon as possible and hope that the appeal drags out until our next bishop is assigned sometime late this year or early next.

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  4. Is there anyone left at These Elmira Church's to appeal, or have they driven them all away? I thought that this kind of closure had been stopped. Apparently not in the land of DOR. We're again ceding ground to the pagan world. How solid is the information about IHM? What a sad state of affairs...

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  5. We would love to hear from some Elmira Catholics. If you don't want to leave a comment, you can email us at admin@savingourparish.com. You will remain anonymous.

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  6. CPT Tom, we are following up on the information about the Salvation Army and IHM. Will get back about it. So many of these rumors have turned out to be just that...rumors.

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  7. Yes, there is strong interest from the Salvation Army. To be clear, the thought is to relocate the Denison Parkway services. This is not a rumor. In fact, the Salvation Army reps. have been told that the stained glass windows, pews and altar are not included in the sale.

    Anyone- where are we in the appeal process? Have we determined if IHM can legitimately be sold?

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  8. The bishop was alerted to the situation in last November. But an appeal can't be made until something happens, i.e., an announcement that the church is closing.

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  9. But what if IHM is never formally closed? What if the legal sale/transaction is completed behind closed doors?

    Moving the Salvation Army to the center of Painted Post is a poor idea and will not be supported by the community. A better spot would be in a central location in Corning. Maybe near First street. A renovated Brennan Center would be a perfect location. Right next door to the Saint Mary's rectory.

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  10. Any information about the sale of IHM should be confirmed/denied with the Central Office.

    The diocese is bound by canon law to go through specific steps to sell church properties.

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  11. Brennan Center? You Folks do realize that the Salvation Army is a Religion, not just an NGO or Charity? Right? We shouldn't be selling or giving them any Catholic Facilities to carry on their work.

    We also shouldn't be closing any Churches...we're given too much ground already in this diocese.

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  12. I thought the poster was joking about selling the Brennan Center. Right? Right?

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