Was poking around the web today and found this 2007 Catholic Courier article about All Saints Parish. From the article:
Now, All Saints is eyeing the closing of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church -- a move Deacon Condon said might occur as soon as June 2008.
"Motivated by the knowledge that the parish may only have one priest within the next three years, the finance council and parish council have begun a careful review of parish finances and building needs to determine the best way to be good stewards of our resources. If a sale were to be entertained, IMH would be the most logical to consider since it's the smallest church," stated a Sept. 16 bulletin article by Karen Paschal, parish pastoral council chair, and William Cassidy, finance council chair.
Dialogue sessions on this and other facility-related matters were recently conducted among parishioners and parish leaders at all three worship sites: Oct. 21 at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Oct. 28 at St. Vincent de Paul and Nov. 4 at St. Mary.
"The biggest concerns were, do we have a plan -- a longer-term plan for the welfare of the parish?" Deacon Condon said of the meetings.
He said potential action regarding Immaculate Heart of Mary stems from an extensive parish study earlier this decade. That study resulted in the recommendation that both IHM and St. Patrick be sold. Factoring into these conclusions were declining population in the Corning area; a projected drop in priest availability and the number of Masses to be offered; and the relative proximity of all four churches, meaning parishioners would have a manageable drive to Mass if one or two churches were to close.
Not a word about selling St. Vincent's. Not a word...until the middle of mass in August 2010.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The news is getting out there
The Wanderer, a Catholic national weekly newspaper, has published an article about the severe problems in the Diocese of Rochester, specifically the de-emphasis of the priesthood and the elevation of lay people to positions of pastoral authority. In order to read the article online you will need to register. Here's a snippet, with a grateful hat tip to Cleansing Fire:
[Bishop Clark] set out an ambitious “ course of action” which, now, is largely complete, and there are some Catholics in the diocese who are eagerly counting down the days ( 430 as of May 11, 2011) until he retires, and the Holy Father appoints a new bishop to begin reconstructing the local Church along Catholic lines.
The agenda Clark mandated has not been easy or painless, and it frequently brought him to loggerheads with officials of the Holy See, notably Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, now Pope Benedict XVI.
( As early as 1986, Ratzinger ordered Clark to remove his imprimatur from a sex education book, Parents Talk Love: The Catholic Family Handbook About Sexuality, because it approved of homosexuality, masturbation, and contraception.)
The article goes on to quote Rich Leonardi, a Rochester Catholic blogger:
Rochester Bishop Matthew Clark crows about winning an award for pastoral planning, remarking at the end that ‘[ t] here is a great deal of dying and rising in pastoral planning.’ “ The people of Rochester might be forgiven for thinking it’s mostly been the former. For evidence, see my Amazon.com review of His Excellency’s recent book on something called ‘ lay ecclesial ministry’: “Potential readers should realize that Bishop Clark presides over perhaps the most dissent-filled, decadent diocese in the nation. His unique approach to lay ministry, which includes illicitly appointing two members of the Women’s Ordination Conference as ‘pastors’ over parish clusters, has resulted in an unparalleled vocations crisis. ( In the book, he flagrantly defends his elevation of dissenting would- be priestesses by claiming Lay Ecclesial Ministry ‘has become a substitute ministry for the one to which they feel called.’) “From 1995 to 2005, the Diocese of Rochester lost over 45% of its priests, a figure unmatched virtually anywhere in the United States. Indeed, priests aren’t even priests in Rochester; they are called ‘ sacramental ministers’ in local Catholic officialdom. And while Mass attendance has stabilized or increased in most parts of the Church in America over the last decade, it is in free- fall in Rochester, dropping almost 25% since 2002."
[Bishop Clark] set out an ambitious “ course of action” which, now, is largely complete, and there are some Catholics in the diocese who are eagerly counting down the days ( 430 as of May 11, 2011) until he retires, and the Holy Father appoints a new bishop to begin reconstructing the local Church along Catholic lines.
The agenda Clark mandated has not been easy or painless, and it frequently brought him to loggerheads with officials of the Holy See, notably Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, now Pope Benedict XVI.
( As early as 1986, Ratzinger ordered Clark to remove his imprimatur from a sex education book, Parents Talk Love: The Catholic Family Handbook About Sexuality, because it approved of homosexuality, masturbation, and contraception.)
The article goes on to quote Rich Leonardi, a Rochester Catholic blogger:
Rochester Bishop Matthew Clark crows about winning an award for pastoral planning, remarking at the end that ‘[ t] here is a great deal of dying and rising in pastoral planning.’ “ The people of Rochester might be forgiven for thinking it’s mostly been the former. For evidence, see my Amazon.com review of His Excellency’s recent book on something called ‘ lay ecclesial ministry’: “Potential readers should realize that Bishop Clark presides over perhaps the most dissent-filled, decadent diocese in the nation. His unique approach to lay ministry, which includes illicitly appointing two members of the Women’s Ordination Conference as ‘pastors’ over parish clusters, has resulted in an unparalleled vocations crisis. ( In the book, he flagrantly defends his elevation of dissenting would- be priestesses by claiming Lay Ecclesial Ministry ‘has become a substitute ministry for the one to which they feel called.’) “From 1995 to 2005, the Diocese of Rochester lost over 45% of its priests, a figure unmatched virtually anywhere in the United States. Indeed, priests aren’t even priests in Rochester; they are called ‘ sacramental ministers’ in local Catholic officialdom. And while Mass attendance has stabilized or increased in most parts of the Church in America over the last decade, it is in free- fall in Rochester, dropping almost 25% since 2002."
Monday, May 16, 2011
Syracuse parishioners to have their appeal heard at Vatican Court
St. Mary's in Syracuse will have their appeal heard by the Vatican Supreme Court on Saturday. Pray hard!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
'Providing' for those in need
"Would any diocese or even parish in the Church spend so much giving to charity that it had to close, leaving those who have come to depend on this aid completely on their own resources?"
Uh, yes. The Diocese of Rochester.
They are perfectly willing to tear down a church in order to 'provide' for the poor. The quote, btw, is from The Cruelty of Caesar's Charity. The article also references two others that are worth perusing: What Would Jesus Cut? and The Progressive Road to Hell.
Our beautiful Corning valley is not immune to the larger issues that plague the Roman Catholic Church and society in general. Wakee, wakee.
Uh, yes. The Diocese of Rochester.
They are perfectly willing to tear down a church in order to 'provide' for the poor. The quote, btw, is from The Cruelty of Caesar's Charity. The article also references two others that are worth perusing: What Would Jesus Cut? and The Progressive Road to Hell.
Our beautiful Corning valley is not immune to the larger issues that plague the Roman Catholic Church and society in general. Wakee, wakee.
Upcoming Catholic Retreat
An ASP parishioner passed along this information:
St. Joseph's in Campbell is having a parish retreat (all welcome) next week that appears to be an actual Catholic retreat.
Monday 5/16 at 7:00 pm: "Joseph the Protector" presented by Reverend Richard Farrell (pastor of Blessed Sacrament, Elmira). Order of Worship: Joyful mysteries of the scriptural rosary.
Tuesday 5/17 at 7pm: "Joseph, Patron of a Happy Death" presented by Fr. Michael Twardzik (parochial vicar of Holy Family in Wayland/Dansville). Order of Worship: Evening prayer with benediction.
Wednesday 5/18 at 7pm: "Joseph the Provider" presented by Reverend Lewis Brown (parish priest of All Saints, Corning). Order of Worship: Exposition and benediction.
On all nights, light refreshments to follow in church hall. Religious articles available for purchase before and after services by GloriaChristianGifts.
St. Joseph's in Campbell is having a parish retreat (all welcome) next week that appears to be an actual Catholic retreat.
Monday 5/16 at 7:00 pm: "Joseph the Protector" presented by Reverend Richard Farrell (pastor of Blessed Sacrament, Elmira). Order of Worship: Joyful mysteries of the scriptural rosary.
Tuesday 5/17 at 7pm: "Joseph, Patron of a Happy Death" presented by Fr. Michael Twardzik (parochial vicar of Holy Family in Wayland/Dansville). Order of Worship: Evening prayer with benediction.
Wednesday 5/18 at 7pm: "Joseph the Provider" presented by Reverend Lewis Brown (parish priest of All Saints, Corning). Order of Worship: Exposition and benediction.
On all nights, light refreshments to follow in church hall. Religious articles available for purchase before and after services by GloriaChristianGifts.
Monday, May 9, 2011
St. Vincent's on a regular Sunday
Sunday morning's mass. Still full. And yet leadership is willing to maintain the fiction that destroying this church is a sane and sensible thing to do.
Never give up
Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito!
Or, in English:
Do not give in to evil but proceed ever more boldly against it!
Or, in English:
Do not give in to evil but proceed ever more boldly against it!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Infallible indicators
Found this while surfin' tonight. The DOR is infamous. From the Curt Jester, here's a snippet:
The dearth of vocations in a diocese is almost an infallible indicator of a bishop’s orthodoxy. In fact you could almost measure a bishops heterodoxy using a ratio of priests and pastoral associates. It did not take me long to verify that this was a diocese big on pastoral associates and an extreme lack of priests. Of course there are many factors for the priest shortage but it does seem that in heterodox diocese such as Bishop Morris and Bishop Clarke of Rochester that they seem to create a priest shortage to push reasons to use other than celibate men as priests. [Emphasis added]
[Article][Via Father Z]
Ironically a lay group might have been partly responsible concerning this forced retirement.
This is the third bishop that we know of who was dismissed this year by the Pope. This is a serious action that no doubt was made as a last straw because removing a bishop from a diocese is about as serious as you get. It’s not like replacing a CEO, it’s more like removing a father from a home. Unfortunately that indeed is required at times.
The dearth of vocations in a diocese is almost an infallible indicator of a bishop’s orthodoxy. In fact you could almost measure a bishops heterodoxy using a ratio of priests and pastoral associates. It did not take me long to verify that this was a diocese big on pastoral associates and an extreme lack of priests. Of course there are many factors for the priest shortage but it does seem that in heterodox diocese such as Bishop Morris and Bishop Clarke of Rochester that they seem to create a priest shortage to push reasons to use other than celibate men as priests. [Emphasis added]
[Article][Via Father Z]
Ironically a lay group might have been partly responsible concerning this forced retirement.
This is the third bishop that we know of who was dismissed this year by the Pope. This is a serious action that no doubt was made as a last straw because removing a bishop from a diocese is about as serious as you get. It’s not like replacing a CEO, it’s more like removing a father from a home. Unfortunately that indeed is required at times.
On Fire!
Cleansing Fire has a number of excellent posts (and comments) that would be of interest to readers. First, Bernie publishes some photos of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Addision, one of the local parishes that so many All Saints Parish parishioners have made their home. I have visited there once, and it is a lovely church.
Then, Diane Harris does some further exposing of the CMA and its effect on parishes: Shepherds Shearing the Sheep. From the article:
The conclusions of a number of people who have looked at the matter are:
1. There is no point in giving to the CMA. If a parish beats its goal, it is likely to have the goal raised in the following year. Better to have a shortfall.
2. Since the diocese is just going to take the money from a parish’s savings anyway, it is better to give it to one’s own church; at least the donor won’t have caused his or her church’s tax to increase by plumping the CMA.
3. Be careful about giving cash donations or substantial bequests to one’s own parish. It seems to make the parish even more of a target for closure. Better to pay for services or give vestments, or sacred vessels, or pay for paving the parking lot, or for a Youth Program, and keep it out of the treasury.
4. If one wishes to leave a bequest, be specific about what it can be or not be used for; consider paying out over a number of years and contingent on one’s parish still being open and having Mass of Sunday obligation.
Then, Diane Harris does some further exposing of the CMA and its effect on parishes: Shepherds Shearing the Sheep. From the article:
The conclusions of a number of people who have looked at the matter are:
1. There is no point in giving to the CMA. If a parish beats its goal, it is likely to have the goal raised in the following year. Better to have a shortfall.
2. Since the diocese is just going to take the money from a parish’s savings anyway, it is better to give it to one’s own church; at least the donor won’t have caused his or her church’s tax to increase by plumping the CMA.
3. Be careful about giving cash donations or substantial bequests to one’s own parish. It seems to make the parish even more of a target for closure. Better to pay for services or give vestments, or sacred vessels, or pay for paving the parking lot, or for a Youth Program, and keep it out of the treasury.
4. If one wishes to leave a bequest, be specific about what it can be or not be used for; consider paying out over a number of years and contingent on one’s parish still being open and having Mass of Sunday obligation.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Heads up -- UPDATED
Be on the lookout for an upcoming Guest Viewpoint in Wednesday's Star-Gazette.
It ties in well with Saving Our Parish's first print newsletter, Fidelis.
UPDATE: Read it here. Cleansing Fire has also linked to it. The viewpoint was gleaned from this article.
It ties in well with Saving Our Parish's first print newsletter, Fidelis.
UPDATE: Read it here. Cleansing Fire has also linked to it. The viewpoint was gleaned from this article.
The Rosary
Meeting time: 8:15 a.m. to pray the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a few minutes of private prayer time before heading over for coffee and fellowship at a local cafe (optional). No experience necessary (rosaries and prayer guides provided).
Where: Side chapel of St. Mary's (155 State St., Corning - enter left side of church.)
Who's Invited: Women inside or outside the parish, particularly in their 20s-50s. Newcomers welcome. Nursing babies welcome too!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Fidelis
Parishioners have put together a print newsletter, Fidelis, for those who may not have access to a computer. There's some pertinent and timely information about SOP, Friends of St. Vincent's and our church's proposed sale to Providence Housing Development Corporation.
If you know of someone who would like a copy, do print one out, or let us know and we will be sure to get one to whoever is interested. Email us at admin@savingourparish.com.
If you know of someone who would like a copy, do print one out, or let us know and we will be sure to get one to whoever is interested. Email us at admin@savingourparish.com.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Truth or Fear?
Just found this post at Catholic blogger Ann Barnhardt's site: Barnhardt.biz.
Two concepts: Truth and Fear
Posted by Ann Barnhardt - May 1, AD 2011 1:07 PM MST
First, I received an email from a gent who said the following, emphasis mine:
"I am in sales and have to carefully cultivate a vanilla existence. Controversy of my personal opinions does not serve me well."
My response:
Dude, the Truth does not SERVE YOU. YOU serve the Truth. His name is Jesus Christ. Figure out what team you are on and then either fight or get out of the way.
----------------------------------------------
Now, to the concept of fear. The one single conceptual thing that Jesus said with the highest frequency (by a long shot) in the Gospels and Acts is "Fear not / Be not afraid". Here are your citations:
Jesus saying, "BE NOT AFRAID"
Matt 14:27
Matt 17:7
Matt 28:10
Mark 5:36
Mark 6:50
Luke 12:4
John 6:20
John 14:27
Acts 18:9
Jesus or angels saying, "FEAR NOT."
Matt 1:20
Matt 8:26
Matt 10:26
Matt 10:28
Matt 10:31
Matt 28:5
Mark 4:40
Luke 1:13
Luke 1:30
Luke 2:10
Luke 5:10
Luke 8:50
Luke 12:7
Luke 12:32
John 12:15
Acts 27:24
People, the message of the Gospel in terms of how we are to go about our lives is NOT "be nice". The message of Christ is DON'T BE AFRAID.
THIS is why our culture and the Church are withering and dying. We live as quivering cowards, in terror of being defriended on Facebook or shunned in the breakroom at work. If your main concern is being "nice" and universally liked, then YOU ARE NOT LIVING THE GOSPEL. Period. End of story.
Two concepts: Truth and Fear
Posted by Ann Barnhardt - May 1, AD 2011 1:07 PM MST
First, I received an email from a gent who said the following, emphasis mine:
"I am in sales and have to carefully cultivate a vanilla existence. Controversy of my personal opinions does not serve me well."
My response:
Dude, the Truth does not SERVE YOU. YOU serve the Truth. His name is Jesus Christ. Figure out what team you are on and then either fight or get out of the way.
----------------------------------------------
Now, to the concept of fear. The one single conceptual thing that Jesus said with the highest frequency (by a long shot) in the Gospels and Acts is "Fear not / Be not afraid". Here are your citations:
Jesus saying, "BE NOT AFRAID"
Matt 14:27
Matt 17:7
Matt 28:10
Mark 5:36
Mark 6:50
Luke 12:4
John 6:20
John 14:27
Acts 18:9
Jesus or angels saying, "FEAR NOT."
Matt 1:20
Matt 8:26
Matt 10:26
Matt 10:28
Matt 10:31
Matt 28:5
Mark 4:40
Luke 1:13
Luke 1:30
Luke 2:10
Luke 5:10
Luke 8:50
Luke 12:7
Luke 12:32
John 12:15
Acts 27:24
People, the message of the Gospel in terms of how we are to go about our lives is NOT "be nice". The message of Christ is DON'T BE AFRAID.
THIS is why our culture and the Church are withering and dying. We live as quivering cowards, in terror of being defriended on Facebook or shunned in the breakroom at work. If your main concern is being "nice" and universally liked, then YOU ARE NOT LIVING THE GOSPEL. Period. End of story.
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