Tuesday, September 13, 2005
'Proud that's my church'
Brian T. Olszewski writes in the September 1, 2005 Catholic Herald on the dedication of a new church building for the merged parishes of St. Hubert's, St. Mary's, and St. Columba in Washington County.
Let's hope that means the "Church means people, not a building" line was never used against the unhappy 10 to 20 percent.
Brian T. Olszewski writes in the September 1, 2005 Catholic Herald on the dedication of a new church building for the merged parishes of St. Hubert's, St. Mary's, and St. Columba in Washington County.
Fr. Hanel [Fr. Charles "Chuck" Hanel, Pastor] said that "anywhere from 20 percent to one-third" of those affected - 1,100 families or about 3,000 people - "were excited from day one" about the merger. He estimated that another 50 to 60 percent took a "Well, OK, if this is the way it has to be" approach.
"It has really been difficult for 10 to 20 percent of the people," he said.
A minority in favor, a majority ambivalent, and a minority opposed; sounds like the typical "consensus" before a church building project.
"People will say, 'I am proud to say that's my church,'" the priest said.
Let's hope that means the "Church means people, not a building" line was never used against the unhappy 10 to 20 percent.
P.S. Here's an article by Peter J. Nixon from the August 2005 U.S. Catholic on suggested improvements in the process of closing and consolidating parishes.
