Fru-Gal Friends

Subject: Good news Fri 21 Mar 2008, 9:02 am

I found out last night that our church will not be closed. Two of the smaller churches in our cluster will be closed. The morale in my parish has been very bad lately. Everyone has been worried that we would lose our church. Now, we can move forward with our plans, committees and welcoming the parishoners from the closed parishes. My heart goes out to them. It is so sad to lose a parish. Could you please keep us in your prayers that the transition will go smoothly for all of us.

Subject: Re: Good news Fri 21 Mar 2008, 9:04 am

I will pray sissy..what happened,,whats the reason the others are closing?

Subject: Re: Good news Fri 21 Mar 2008, 9:25 am

Praying for you all to be able to blend and come together. Hopefully you will be able to form a strong bond of love and fellowship, for many years to come.
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MARY

Subject: Re: Good news Fri 21 Mar 2008, 11:33 am

I know Sissy they are closing three small churchs here .... and now we have one Priest for 7 churches

Father is so busy he doesnt know where most of the time
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Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: Good news Fri 21 Mar 2008, 12:56 pm

Donna - over the past 2 decades the number of priests have declined. Also, people have moved out of the city and into the suburbs and the demographics is an older population. All of these factors have contributed to the decline of registered families in many of our churches. As a result, the cost for maintenance of these churches can no longer be sustained by the individual parish. Many parishes are in very bad financial trouble. Our church, when I first joined about 16 years ago, had 2 priests, one priest in training, 2 deacons and a pastoral associate. We now have one priest and one deacon trying to service a parish of about 1400 families.

By merging churches, it is hoped to alleviate the deficit financially and pastorily. Many areas, as gayla posted, have one priest servicing anywhere from 3 churches or more by himself.

Subject: Re: Good news Fri 21 Mar 2008, 12:59 pm

Oh Sissy. I am thankful yours didn't have to close. But it is so sad that others had too. I will be praying for all involved and for a smooth transition.
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Vicki

Subject: Re: Good news Fri 21 Mar 2008, 6:52 pm

Sissy, We had the same problem in Ma. 2 years ago. Our pennincula had 3 parishes, each had 1 church, 1 rectory, 1 pastor and 1 curate. The 3 were consolidated into 1 parish, (Holy Trinity). 1 church was closed and was sold to the city as a community center. We now have 2 churches, 1 rectory, 1 pastor and 2 curates, all 3 men are 70 or older. The parish councils merged and worked very hard to make this change happen. The pastor has always been a big supporter of Laiety action and that has helped. It has really helped remove barriers between the congregations, the Masses are full, and fund raising has improved. I hope your consolidation works out as well.
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Dear Lord, help me remember how lucky I am on both the good and the bad days!

Moderator Age : 27 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 1693

I will pray for you, Sissy.

Subject: Re: Good news Sat 22 Mar 2008, 8:26 am

OK,,thanks Sissy for explaining it to me.I will continue to pray for this.