Buildings & Finances

This week continues our series of answers to questions asked at the Town Hall Listening Sessions.  There are two related questions: 1) Which buildings will be used in our new parish? 2) Will decisions about repurposing/closing/selling churches be influenced by finances?

Which Buildings Will Be Used in Our New Parish?
One most-asked question during all town hall sessions was which of our parishes’ buildings might be repurposed for church use and which will be closed and sold.  Before answering, a quick reminder.
Really and truly, within three and a half years all of our parishes will close and end their existence.  At that time, because our parishes are merging, we will become a new parish with a name different than the name of any one of our current parishes.  It is likely that, at that time, we will still have all of our current buildings. 
However, over time, parish leaders will enter into the process I related in last week’s bulletin, making the very important recommendations to Archbishop Schnurr that some of our buildings be closed permanently and sold.  Even though most everyone has wondered about which buildings will remain, there is no order or plan from the Archdiocese dictating which buildings ought to close.  We must work that out ourselves.  What role will finances and the condition of buildings play in deciding which buildings remain in our use and which will be sold?

Will Decisions about Repurposing/Closing/Selling Churches be Influenced by Finances?
It is safe to say that finances will figure prominently in deciding which buildings we keep.  Let me return to an illustration I have already used.

Whose House to Keep?
Let’s say that a widow and widower in their late sixties decide to marry.  They have worked hard and have retirements and savings, however, they are not overly wealthy.   They have to make careful decisions.  They both raised families in and love their homes and there are ample wonderful memories in each.

Let’s say further that the widow lives in a newer house by say, twenty-five years.  Her house has been meticulously maintained with investments into HVAC, roofing and major appliances.   Let’s say the widower has a fine home, but it is older and he didn’t invest in upkeep beyond emergencies.   Expensive infrastructure items are likely going to need replacing.   Which home do they choose to keep and which to sell?
For some couples like this, they simply might not have a choice.  They simply cannot afford to bring the neglected home up to the level of the well-maintained one.  In such a case, while there is sadness on the part of the widower, they decide to move into the widow’s house.  It comes down to 1. resources and 2. priorities

Resources
For most of us, resources are limited.  From a quick look at our weekly collection data, this is especially so in our parishes.  One of the reasons for Beacons of Light is to respond in a more financially responsible way to the excessive infrastructure that many families of parishes have.
 
Priorities
Essential to having a parish that is awesome, vibrant, inspiring, attractive and successful is that we are going to devote resources to accomplishing the vision of the new parish.  This means that, while buildings are important, more key values include evangelization, lifelong faith formation, parish programs and staff.   We will always have wonderful memories and can find ways to honor those memories without keeping all our buildings.

Next Week
There will be at least one week break from responding to Town Hall questions.  Please see my column next week where Meg Anderson will write about the good news of thirty new parishioners in Crescent Parishes and offer a reflection on the power of personal invitation in evangelization and as a focus for our vision as a family of parishes.  She will also offer us a tool to help us invite people to engage in Crescent Family Parish life.

Spanish Speaking Ministry
Bulletin readers will note that months ago I relayed a personal goal of mine, to prepare and proclaim the Gospel in Spanish when I am presiding at Holy Trinity, where we have Mass in Spanish on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.   I reasoned that my goal was not only a good thing for a pastor to do, to make certain that a minority of parishioners experience assured welcome from the pastor, but also that it was laudable for a majority group to do:  make a sacrifice out of love for the minority, putting ourselves in their place in a very small way.
               Recently, parish liturgical leaders gathered to make recommendations to me about a more comprehensive response.  I have accepted their recommendation for the first, third and fifth Sundays:

• Music will continue to be bi-lingual.
• During the Easter Season and beyond, the second reading will be proclaimed in Spanish.

Thanks to those who receive this evolution with grace seeing Jesus in and being Jesus for a minority among us.          

The Living Way of the Cross
Also, please mark your calendar to attend the Living Way of The Cross on Good Friday, March 29, around Holy Trinity Church at 4 PM, offered by members of our Spanish-speaking community.  It will be a most moving celebration of the passion of Jesus.

Sincerely and with Love in Christ,
Fr. Pat