Pastoral Planning: Round Two

It’s been less than a year since the implementation of the disastrous school reorganization plan in the Diocese of Scranton, yet diocesan leaders are forging ahead with a similar course of action for parishes. On December 13, Bishop Martino released another pastoral letter announcing his newest initiative, “Called to Holiness and Mission: Pastoral Planning in the Diocese of Scranton.” Calling the endeavor “arduous but necessary,” Martino goes on to say that all diocesan institutions need to be considered and that we must ask the question, “Are these entities the right ones for the 21st century?”

In actions closely mirroring the previous “pastoral planning” process, the Diocese has hired The Reid Group, a Bellevue, Washington-based consulting firm to assist with the project. According to Bishop Martino, “To foster the growth of Catholic education in our Diocese, we had to experience some loss, but already we are experiencing new gain. Now it is time to study our parishes with the assistance of The Reid Group. Are we prepared for evangelization in the 21st century or are we not because we are inordinately attached to structures from the past?” This statement begs the question: what is wrong with the structures of the past? The Catholic Church is steeped in history and tradition; is adherence to this faith, therefore, useless and illogical because of its “inordinate attachment to the structures of the past?”

“Nothing has been pre-determined,” said Monsignor Vincent Grimalia in the accompanying press release. “The only thing we know at this point is that we have to move beyond the status quo. The insight we receive at the parish level will guide our journey.” It is no secret, however, the Bishop’s final “pastoral decision” in 2009 will include the mass closure and/or consolidation of parishes in the diocese. This is an unacceptable option. The futile grassroots efforts to reverse to the school closures may deter some from fighting a seemingly hopeless battle for parishes. However, silent deference will certainly spell demise for too many churches, which is something this region cannot afford. Catholic identity, presence and impact will diminish greatly with every empty parish church or school.

A FEW INHERENT PROBLEMS WITH THE PLAN, POINT BY POINT

1.) The Diocese so often cites financial problems incurred by parishes. If a parish truly cannot support itself any longer, there may be grounds for an unfortunate decision. However, if the problem is that a parish cannot afford diocesan assessments, this is not grounds for closure. If the Diocese has the funds in place to spend on consulting firms (upwards of $193,985 to “study” the schools), then it can surely afford to aid a few struggling parishes.

2.) The decreasing number of available priests is another reason often cited as grounds for closing a parish. However, the inability to staff a priest in every church is by no means an acceptable reason for such a closure. If worse comes to worse, all administrative duties can be handled by a parish council and rotating diocesan priests can offer Mass as often as possible. Furthermore, the current attitude and approach of diocesan leaders and the painful and unnecessary decisions regarding Catholic schools certainly will not attract new men to the priesthood in the Diocese of Scranton. It should be noted that this is not a problem in all dioceses; the Diocese of Harrisburg, our southward neighbor, has announced fifteen new seminarians this past summer.

3.) “A parish must focus on its mission, not on maintenance of buildings or its history,” according to Bishop Martino. This downplaying of history, tradition, and the local community in which a parish is located is disappointing to read.

4.) Goodbye, small parishes. From the pastoral letter: “A parish may discover that the mission of the parish is compromised by being too small, or that with its limited resources it cannot accomplish its mission.” Small parishes are often times the most vibrant and effective parishes, with a strong sense of community and a personal relationship between the pastor and parishioners.

5.) The approach is designed to groom parishes for eventual closure, even if they survive “the first round.” From the meeting notes and agenda from the priests’ meeting on December 3: “If and when parish consolidations are needed, they will be less traumatic and more natural if people and parishes have already been in relationship with one another. In the future, some parish consolidations will be suggested by parish partners who have come to believe that consolidation is the best way to go forward.”

The future of the Roman Catholic Church in Northeastern Pennsylvania lies in our parishes and schools. Please be vigilant as the process unfolds. Attend all public meetings and voice your concerns. Take action before our churches and schools are gone forever.

Does heritage and tradition matter?

During my four years as a student at Bishop O’Reilly, I often found myself gazing at the beautiful mural painted above the front doors in the school’s main foyer. The painting, of course, depicts the local parishes that at one time supported the school. Of course, I’d always eye my own church a little bit longer than the rest. I was so proud to see it up there. It’s the little brick church with maroon doors on the top left hand side: St. Martha’s. My great-grandparents helped to build that parish, mortgaging their farm to help pay for the original structure. They were Polish, as were most of the new Catholic settlers in Fairmount Springs, and the church they built reflected that heritage. Although a lot of people today decry the existence of so many “ethnic churches,” often times located just down the street from one another, I think they still have value. Every church has a history, and so often times that history is quite a story! Ethnic churches are many times the only remaining piece of one’s ancestral heritage. Sure, knowing a few songs in Polish, or learning your Italian grandmother’s cherished recipes isn’t going to radically change life for the better. But keeping these things alive gets to the heart of being human. If we don’t take pride in our past, how can we look positively at the future?

I know I’ll never forget the outpouring of support one year ago when it was first announced that Bishop O’Reilly, and so many other schools, would be forced to close. I try to be optimistic and hope that someday we’ll see a diocese opening new schools (and re-establishing the old ones) and that the tradition of Catholic education will be revitalized. But for now, we must make the best of what remains and work for the success of these schools. However, there’s another battle brewing right now that is will soon be getting a lot more attention. Perhaps the closing of churches is not as emotionally charged as the school crisis was because many of these churches are facing financial hardship and dwindling numbers. However, any church whose parishioners are willing and able to work hard to keep going, there is no reason, neither financial nor the ever-popular “shortage of priests” excuse, to close the church. I’d much rather see a church open for Mass just once a month rather than see a once vibrant church with shuttered doors. Why is this important? I’ve already made the case for churches as institutions of our cultural heritage. Yet there is even more to it than that. A neighborhood church, just like a neighborhood school, is a pillar of the community. It’s a place where you meet your neighbors and together worship God “in the beauty of holiness.” Looking at another angle, what type of message does large, empty churches signal to non-Catholics?

There are two recent situations that prompted me to sit down and write this essay. First would be the closure of Holy Rosary in Ashley. From what I understand, the parishioners of the now defunct parish, whose dwindling numbers could no longer support, requested this course of action. Nevertheless, Holy Rosary is – was – a beautiful church architecturally, both inside and out, and its towering presence now signifies only a sad state of affairs in our diocese. Perhaps even more disheartening is the situation currently taking place in Pittston. This predominantly Catholic city was already hit hard during the last two rounds of school closings. It is painful enough to drive down William Street, knowing that two pillars of Catholic education once located there sit empty. But now the Pittston skyline will also feature the steeples of two closed churches: St. Casimir’s and St. John the Baptist, along with St. Joseph’s in Port Griffith. Once again, is it really necessary to close all of these churches? Is money the primary consideration here? In the weeks, months, and years ahead, we will be faced with the church closing dilemma with increasing frequency. Before you join any committees or form an opinion on the matter, please consider what I’ve said here. Ask yourself the question: Does heritage and tradition matter? I hope you’ll agree that it does.