cmaD2006 Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 [quote name='MissyP89' timestamp='1294687251' post='2198658'] My diocese of Camden (NJ) has been undergoing a complete consolidation process since 2008. These days a lot of parishes are finished merging, but some, including my own, are still in the process. This story hit the front page of my local paper this morning. This church is only about 15 minutes from my home -- my former confessor is their parochial vicar. Read more here: http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20110110/NEWS01/101100315/Protesters-at-Malaga-church-vow-not-to-give-up ~*~*~ I can understand their frustration -- they were closed rather suddenly from the sounds of things, and this has been a very emotional process for the entire diocese. But as my pastor said a long time ago, this is not about buildings. And now it looks like they're not going to Mass anymore, because they'd rather be at "their" church. Oy. Please pray for them, and for my whole diocese. I'm happy to say that despite initial anger, the merger going down at my own parish has been surprisingly positive. [/quote] I'm surprized ... the diocese (of Camden) has been quite careful in the way they've done their mergers/closures. I'm at a parish that was initially on the list to merge with two others but the Bishop decided to keep my parish open as a university parish. Someone had the idea -- the Bishop listened to the proposal, and decided that it was feasible. I'm curious as to what happened there -- my guess is that its much more than what the press is saying. I know from having spoken to some of the merger committee members, the merger process at times was a heated one. My parish is working on getting the parishioners back that were lost -- at one point the parish was told that it was closing, and people went to other parishes. Praying, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmaD2006 Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 [quote name='reminiscere' timestamp='1294878698' post='2199475'] Do any of you actually know the pain of having your parish closed? The church that your great-grandparents helped built and where generations of your family received the sacraments and went every week? BECAUSE I DO! And until it happens to YOU, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE. I go to a different parish now, yes, but to see the beautiful house of God sold off for a secular, profane purpose? Do you know what that feels like? I HOPE YOU NEVER DO. [/quote] Actually since I'm 1st generation in the States ... no, I don't know what it feels like to see the church that my great-grandparents built close down. And because I have actually no idea where my great-grandparents worshiped ... and know that some of my grandparents converted from catholic to evangelical I don't have the priviledge of being able to say that "my ancestors helped built that particular Church." *But* I do know my spiritual ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-great-grandparents etc in Christ) did help build a number of Churches that I have been in. *And* I do know how difficult it is to see a Church that you love close down (I saw it multiple multiple times over and over again in Boston). One of those that did is being sold -- and I pray that it is sold to another christian denomination at least. It is heartbreaking to know that it could be sold for secular reasons. I also know 100% that God is in the Church. And Church is way much more than 4 walls. It should be the community. It is universal -- so I have had the experience of being welcomed in a Church not my original parish, and to feel part of it as if it was my original parish. reminiscere - I pray that the God who heals all wounds heals this particular wound in your heart, and of all those who have lost the parish that they knew. I also pray that all discover the richness in our Catholic community, the richness of being able to move from one parish to another and know that we all observe one faith in Christ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 [quote name='reminiscere' timestamp='1294878698' post='2199475'] Do any of you actually know the pain of having your parish closed? The church that your great-grandparents helped built and where generations of your family received the sacraments and went every week? BECAUSE I DO! And until it happens to YOU, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE. I go to a different parish now, yes, but to see the beautiful house of God sold off for a secular, profane purpose? Do you know what that feels like? I HOPE YOU NEVER DO. [/quote] Actually as I pointed out, we in my parish are going thru this now and this is the second and for some people the third time. It has been my family's church since 1912, and I have been there more than 50 years, so of course its hard. But you know what, its not the end of my world. The new building isn't the same, but my parish family is there, its just bigger now, the choir is doubled, the christian mothers is tripled and we can do far more good in the world as a result. We are still the Body of Christ, and if we had to meet in a field as long as we are together as a parish we will be fine. Some of our buildings have been bought by other groups, some are beautiful stores or restuarants, ours will be torn down because the damage is too great. They were build with blood sweat and tears, and sustained by love, but all good things can come to an end. They are stations on the road to heaven, not the destination, the arrow pointing the way, not the end. You grieve, mourn and move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyP89 Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share Posted January 13, 2011 [quote name='cmariadiaz' timestamp='1294892836' post='2199559'] I also know 100% that God is in the Church. And Church is way much more than 4 walls. It should be the community. It is universal -- so I have had the experience of being welcomed in a Church not my original parish, and to feel part of it as if it was my original parish.[/quote] Well said. I myself am a little bit of a wanderer these days -- I split my time between my home parish, our sister parish, and my own university parish. I haven't seen my own confessor in months because my schedule is so erratic. But being at the university parish has come to feel just as much like home to me as, well, home. The parishioners there know that we college students are away from our families, and do everything they can to be warm and welcoming. Actually, they are much more welcoming than my own parish has ever been. [quote]reminiscere - I pray that the God who heals all wounds heals this particular wound in your heart, and of all those who have lost the parish that they knew. I also pray that all discover the richness in our Catholic community, the richness of being able to move from one parish to another and know that we all observe one faith in Christ. [/quote] Amen. I can't imagine how badly that must hurt. But I do know that if it's anything at all like mourning a loss, we take our time to grieve, and then we move on and try to adjust the best we're able. Hang in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reminiscere Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Well in my Diocese, almost 80 other churches have been totally closed. Tens of thousands of parishioners, often with long family histories in these parishes, had to find a new spiritual home. Thousands don't go to church at all, hundreds have been lost to evangelical sects and mega-churches. Yes our Faith is much more than these church buildings, but it still hurts. For those that this hasn't happened to, as with anything else, you can't imagine the pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmaD2006 Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 FYI official info from the diocese of Camden: http://www.camdendiocese.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1775:diocesan-response-to-st-marys-malaga-protest&catid=33:press-releases-a-latest-news&Itemid=1203 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tab'le De'Bah-Rye Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Dominus Pax, I feel merging parishes where needed is a fantastic idea as well as communion services led by a special minister,deacon or a nunn when the priest is unavailable,and an increase of adoration after working hours at these such parishes with the priest/deacon/nunn or special minister bringing out the mostrous and than the layity taking rostered turns hour by hour till late night,than the priest/special minister/deacon or nunn returning removing the host to the tabernacle and locking up the church. This is just an opinion,unsure of the inns and outs of such an endevour. God Bless Yours Truely Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye JC "seek and you shall find,knock and the door will be opened" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyP89 Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share Posted January 13, 2011 [quote name='cmariadiaz' timestamp='1294946331' post='2199724'] FYI official info from the diocese of Camden: http://www.camdendiocese.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1775:diocesan-response-to-st-marys-malaga-protest&catid=33:press-releases-a-latest-news&Itemid=1203 [/quote] This statement also appeared in the Jan. 7 issue of the Star-Herald. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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