subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Jul 04 2009 

Published: April 07, 2007 11:51 pm    print this story  

GLYNN COLUMN: Catholics struggle with change in parishes

Audrey L. Perry, 83, a longtime parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Niagara Falls, was devastated when she first heard that the landmark North End church might close.

Beyond the pastor and other parishioners, she felt an urgent need to convey her concerns to the one person who would undoubtedly have a dominant voice in deciding the fate of 153-year-old Sacred Heart.

She wrote a compelling letter to Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, stressing the history and beauty of the church and how it was an integral part of the local community before the city was established.

Like hundreds of other letters and notes the bishop has received since the diocesan plan was outlined, Ms. Perry was trying to make a case to save the place where her parents and grandparents worshipped since the family moved here in 1893 from Wyoming.

In less than two days, the bishop responded, reassuring Ms. Perry that such a crucial decision would come only after serious prayer and study.

“There are countless parishioners who love their parishes as you do,” the bishop stated, “But we are at a new time in our diocesan history when we need to restructure our parishes and schools to strengthen the diocese as a whole.”

Kmiec added: “I’m sure there are many parishioners who share your memories and devotion to Sacred Heart. You also are blessed to have such a dedicated pastor as Father James J. Kasinski.”

Problems plaguing parishes in the Falls area are, for the most part, identical to those throughout the diocese. The same kind of anxiety also prevails in Dearborn, Mich., Erie, Pa., and Newark, N.J., among other dioceses.

At present, many area Catholics are attending services at churches which are half-empty. A study in 2006 showed that attendance at weekend Masses had declined 15 percent since 1995. In addition, baptisms are down more than 40 percent and Catholic marriages have dropped nearly 35 percent.

Among the recommendations already submitted for further consideration is one that would merge Sacred Heart with St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. While that was announced earlier this year, the Diocesan Commission is reportedly still reviewing the matter.

As Kasinski reflected on the harsh reality that dramatic change is inevitable, he conceded: “It will cause a great hurt in the beginning. And I don’t see any way around that. But I think after a time — perhaps five years or so — then a lot of good things will happen. It’s a necessary adjustment but it must be done because of our circumstances.”

The Rev. Michael H. Burzynski, pastor of St. Mary of the Cataract Church (1836), the oldest in the city, has witnessed rebirth and decline in his parish assignments during the past decade.

When he assumed the pastorate at St. Mary in 2000, the parish included about 600

families. Now that figure exceeds 1,100. Today, Burzynski also is responsible for Our Lady of the Rosary, a depressed East Side church with fewer than 150 families where the diocese recently suspended operations.

As one Jesuit scholar observed — in a recent book about the endless struggle of American Catholicism coming to terms with itself — the church needs to remain open to change and growth.

The times in which the church became least receptive to new things were generally the least productive eras in the church’s life.

Contact reporter Don Glynn at 282-2311, Ext. 2246.

print this story  



Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Featured Jobs

Homecare
PALLIATIVE HOME CARE of Niagara is now hiring Homemakers. Please apply at 2186 Liberty Dr., Niagara Falls, NY 14304 or 4...>MORE

Spanish Teacher
SPANISH Teacher-F/T, Exp., NYS Cert. Send resume to khalgash@ wny.twcbc.com or St. Peter RC School 140 N. 6th St., Lewis...>MORE

Packers
PACKERS NEEDED
Apply Wed 7/1/09 or Wed 7/8/09, 9-11am, DOL, 81 Walnut St, Lkpt Durham Staffing 283-2275
...>MORE

Cooks
COOKS, Servers, part time. Apply within Joe’s Hideaway, 2230 Cayuga Dr. Ext., Whtfld 990-1261...>MORE

LPNS
LPNS, Certifid HHA's and Certified PCA/s needed. Several shifts available. Full and part time hours. Must be able to wor...>MORE

Customer Service
Niagara Orleans Country Club is looking for part time help through October in club house. Some weekends required. Apply ...>MORE

LPN
LPN - P/T positions available. Send resume to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094; Fax: 716-439-6035 AT...>MORE

Service Greeter
Service greeter wanted, part time temp assignment for 4-8 wks. Mon. Tues. Thurs. 5-9, Sat. 9-5. Apply with in David Ch...>MORE

Technicians
CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS
Exam Date: 9/12/09
Filing Period:
7/6/09 -7/22/09
EXAM FEE: $20.00
N.F. WA
...>MORE

Service Greeter
Service greeter wanted, PT. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast growing service ...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

1994 Pontiac Sunbird
PONTIAC 1994 Sunbird conv. V6, EC in & out, red w/blk top, wht int., CD, real sharp. $2850. 523-7102...>MORE

Ford Escape XLT 2001
FORD ESCAPE XLT 2001, remote start, new catalytic converter, 116K, $3800 or best offer. 480-3031...>MORE

1997 Ford Taurus GL
FORD 1997 Taurus GL, good condition, cold A/C, cruise, 1 owner, white. $1995 or BO. 990-6187....>MORE

Audi 1998 A6 Sedan
Audi 1998 A6  Sedan  with 160k miles.  Charcoal ext.,  Tan int.,  4DR,  Automatic,  AWD,  6 Cylinder,  Gas  engine. Pow...>MORE

Dodge 2001 SLT
‘O1 DODGE SLT, 8’ bed, cap, spray line, low miles. Never seen winters, $7,300. 998-0230...>MORE

1994 Buick Roadmaster Wagon
BUICK 1994 Roadmaster Estate Wagon, V8, 130k, fair condition, 1 owner. $2800 or BO. 297-1061....>MORE

Olds 2001 Intrigue
Olds 2001 Intrigue, 130k runs great, leather, sun roof clean inside/out. $3000or BO. 628-6295...>MORE

1950 Plymouth Custom
PLYMOUTH 1950 Custom, 4 dr, good shape, $1,500/BO. 795-0074...>MORE

Chevrolet 2002 Cavalier
CHEVROLET 2002  CAVALIER    with 80,00 miles. Must see! Well maintained! Silver ext.,  Gray int.,  2DR,  Automatic,  Fro...>MORE

2000 Chevy S-10
CHEVY 2000 S-10 pick up, 2.2L, 5 spd, ext cab, EC in & out, CD, cold AC, great gas mi. $2750. 523-7102...>MORE

See all ads




 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index