Comments on: The Story of “Closed” St. James Parish in Kansas, Ohio http://reform-network.net/?p=1612 Supporting survivors of clergy sexual abuse and examining the cover up, causes, and effects of that abuse Thu, 09 Sep 2010 02:34:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Steve http://reform-network.net/?p=1612&cpage=1#comment-1971 Steve Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:51:51 +0000 http://reform-network.net/?p=1612#comment-1971 Luke, your words are very meaningful and spot on. Thank you for supporting us; what you have offered is heartfelt, and every bit as powerful as a financial contribution. Donna and Luke, your support is also well received. Some day, when St. James has their home back, a garden will be created with some form of tribute to each closed parish and those who supported this one. May God bless you all, Steve St James Kansas Luke,

your words are very meaningful and spot on. Thank you for supporting us; what you have offered is heartfelt, and every bit as powerful as a financial contribution.

Donna and Luke, your support is also well received. Some day, when St. James has their home back, a garden will be created with some form of tribute to each closed parish and those who supported this one.

May God bless you all,
Steve
St James Kansas

]]> By: Luke Rheaume http://reform-network.net/?p=1612&cpage=1#comment-1932 Luke Rheaume Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:21:47 +0000 http://reform-network.net/?p=1612#comment-1932 What is really sad about a bishop closing a parish is that he did not put any money in to build and maintain the parish, it was the people of teh parish that did that. The are the ones that worked Bongo, Fish Fries, Fairs, Raffels, and quilting. theay are the ones who donated their money, time, and other resources. Rhey built the buildings and the community. Then the bishop, because of a lack of personnel (ordained priest) decides to close down the parish and sell the church. Where do the funds fromt eh sale go? To the Bishop, for his expenses (and to line his pocket). Any time a church comes to me to rais funds to build something new - I ask the questions: "What will happen when this is sold?" "Who will get the profits from selling these assets?" I will help to maintain a facility. But I will not give my money to build something that I can not have say in when it is sold or recieve any benefits of it's sale. I wish this xommunity good luck (I'm sorry that I can not help because of medical expenses within my own family). I am sorry that this community is going to pay for their own church facilities twice. What is really sad about a bishop closing a parish is that he did not put any money in to build and maintain the parish, it was the people of teh parish that did that. The are the ones that worked Bongo, Fish Fries, Fairs, Raffels, and quilting. theay are the ones who donated their money, time, and other resources. Rhey built the buildings and the community. Then the bishop, because of a lack of personnel (ordained priest) decides to close down the parish and sell the church. Where do the funds fromt eh sale go? To the Bishop, for his expenses (and to line his pocket).

Any time a church comes to me to rais funds to build something new – I ask the questions: “What will happen when this is sold?” “Who will get the profits from selling these assets?” I will help to maintain a facility. But I will not give my money to build something that I can not have say in when it is sold or recieve any benefits of it’s sale.

I wish this xommunity good luck (I’m sorry that I can not help because of medical expenses within my own family). I am sorry that this community is going to pay for their own church facilities twice.

]]> By: Steve http://reform-network.net/?p=1612&cpage=1#comment-1931 Steve Sun, 20 Apr 2008 18:48:31 +0000 http://reform-network.net/?p=1612#comment-1931 "Jude Says: April 20, 2008 at 4:20 pm I doubt the worker from the diocese yelled at her, or was as aggressive like you make it seem." Jude, there are witnesses, and that is exactly how it happened. You can "doubt" if you want, but it doesn't make it any less true. “Jude Says:

April 20, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I doubt the worker from the diocese yelled at her, or was as aggressive like you make it seem.”

Jude, there are witnesses, and that is exactly how it happened. You can “doubt” if you want, but it doesn’t make it any less true.

]]> By: Donna http://reform-network.net/?p=1612&cpage=1#comment-1927 Donna Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:36:19 +0000 http://reform-network.net/?p=1612#comment-1927 Jude, If you can make that assumption from a representative of the diocese whose identity or position you do not know nor the instructions they received, then I fear that you are not only foolishly credulous but uncharitable to the parishioner who experienced this event. Jude, If you can make that assumption from a representative of the diocese whose identity or position you do not know nor the instructions they received, then I fear that you are not only foolishly credulous but uncharitable to the parishioner who experienced this event.

]]> By: Jude http://reform-network.net/?p=1612&cpage=1#comment-1924 Jude Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:20:23 +0000 http://reform-network.net/?p=1612#comment-1924 I doubt the worker from the diocese yelled at her, or was as aggressive like you make it seem. I doubt the worker from the diocese yelled at her, or was as aggressive like you make it seem.

]]> By: faith parish house | Lasts information http://reform-network.net/?p=1612&cpage=1#comment-1921 faith parish house | Lasts information Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:29:59 +0000 http://reform-network.net/?p=1612#comment-1921 [...] The Story of “Closed” St. James Parish in Kansas, OhioWith that, the doors were barred, and “Private Property” signs were placed intermittently around the church and parish house exterior. After 10 months and 5 days, the prayer vigil had ended. Bishop Blair thought the St. …Voice from the Desert - http://reform-network.net [...] [...] The Story of “Closed” St. James Parish in Kansas, OhioWith that, the doors were barred, and “Private Property” signs were placed intermittently around the church and parish house exterior. After 10 months and 5 days, the prayer vigil had ended. Bishop Blair thought the St. …Voice from the Desert – http://reform-network.net [...]

]]> By: Bill Parks http://reform-network.net/?p=1612&cpage=1#comment-1919 Bill Parks Sun, 20 Apr 2008 06:16:01 +0000 http://reform-network.net/?p=1612#comment-1919 The mentality of hierarchical Catholicism is a master-servant relationship between bishop and parishioners. Social justice demands that the parishioners should decide for themselves whether to keep open a neighborhood church which they paid for. Instead the powers to be relegate church closing decisions to a distant hierarch who never set foot in the church. The situation described here is a sign of the times -- the Catholic hierarchy is no longer following the example of Jesus Christ. They ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit Whom they feel is not needed because they declare their own misinformed judgments to be correct which they are not. Many bishops today most definitely lack the gift of discernment or proper decision making. The Catholic hiearchy have created a mess in the USA! They should get down on their knees, beg forgiveness and do the right thing which is let the people decide what to do with their houses of worship. Or is that too democratic for the church? Too Protestant? But it's in the New Testament where the first churches were run the the people and not some corporate executive living in a bishop's mansion. The mentality of hierarchical Catholicism is a master-servant relationship between bishop and parishioners. Social justice demands that the parishioners should decide for themselves whether to keep open a neighborhood church which they paid for. Instead the powers to be relegate church closing decisions to a distant hierarch who never set foot in the church. The situation described here is a sign of the times — the Catholic hierarchy is no longer following the example of Jesus Christ. They ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit Whom they feel is not needed because they declare their own misinformed judgments to be correct which they are not. Many bishops today most definitely lack the gift of discernment or proper decision making. The Catholic hiearchy have created a mess in the USA! They should get down on their knees, beg forgiveness and do the right thing which is let the people decide what to do with their houses of worship. Or is that too democratic for the church? Too Protestant? But it’s in the New Testament where the first churches were run the the people and not some corporate executive living in a bishop’s mansion.

]]> By: Lorraine Ferrick http://reform-network.net/?p=1612&cpage=1#comment-1915 Lorraine Ferrick Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:01:21 +0000 http://reform-network.net/?p=1612#comment-1915 It appears it is a waste of time and money - in addition to being frustrating. The problem is much deeper than that.... not just a money issue. The church is not going to change it is rooted in false securities. It appears it is a waste of time and money – in addition to being frustrating.

The problem is much deeper than that…. not just a money issue.

The church is not going to change it is rooted in false securities.

]]> By: Ginny Hull http://reform-network.net/?p=1612&cpage=1#comment-1914 Ginny Hull Sun, 20 Apr 2008 02:50:05 +0000 http://reform-network.net/?p=1612#comment-1914 I am a St. James parishioner and the story about St. James is all about a community that loves God, and want to do his work here on earth. We want to continue to worship as a community. and want to help other parishes so they will not be closed. We truly believe that the parishioners are the owners and hope to prove this through the appeal mentioned but we sincerely need your help NOW if we are continue to attempt to prove this through Civil Court. Thank you for anything you can do to help us continue our efforts. I am a St. James parishioner and the story about St. James is all about a community that loves God, and want to do his work here on earth. We want to continue to worship as a community. and want to help other parishes so they will not be closed. We truly believe that the parishioners are the owners and hope to prove this through the appeal mentioned but we sincerely need your help NOW if we are continue to attempt to prove this through Civil Court. Thank you for anything you can do to help us continue our efforts.

]]>