Some members of the Immaculate Conception Church family are banding together in a “Save Our Parish” effort. The Wellsville Catholic church in all likelihood is going to be shuttered and consolidated with St. Aloysius in East Liverpool. It was announced over a year ago by officials of the Youngstown Diocese that it will be restructuring the diocese and consolidating many parishes.
At that time Bishop George Murry said a decision would be announced May 23, 2010. Since then it's been nothing but silence on any decision about Wellsville's historic parish. Some think it is a poor job of communication from the Youngstown officials. Others have decided to make a concentrated effort to persuade those officials to reconsider. Some have been working on that for over a year. Some remarked that just because most of the Wellsville parishioners are older doesn't mean we're dead. It was collectively decided to make an earnest effort to “Save Our Parish”.
This week an informal meeting was held in the home of one parishioner to gauge the feelings and wishes on how to proceed. About 30 to 40 parishioners attended and decided to actively petition the Bishop to reconsider any decision to close Immaculate Conception. Many of those attending that meeting have been life long members of the Wellsville church. It is with great sadness for many that the Diocese would turn their back on the Wellsville parishioners.
The main reason for consolidating the parish is the lack of priests. The Diocese said many of the Pastors are reaching retirement age and the shortage is going to get worse. On the other hand many of the Wellsville parishioners are getting on in years. One very big objection to closing their hometown church is the lack of parking at the East Liverpool church. It was noted at that meeting you have to get to East Liverpool very early in hopes to find a parking space anywhere close to the church. The only parking available at St. Aloysius is on the street. In Wellsville there is ample parking in their well maintained parking lot. One parishioner remarked he could arrive three minutes before services begin and still be in church on time.
The next step being taken is a meeting Monday evening, May 9, at Wellsville's Sons of Italy lodge. The meeting will begin at 7 PM and is open to anyone interested in Immaculate Conception, whether you're a member or not. The SOI is located at 357 Main St. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the future of Wellsville's Immaculate Conception Church. The public is invited.
ole nib
10 comments:
Kind of sad: I lived in Wellsville when the parish school - which was right near the church building - was finally torn down, and recall the angst of those who recognized that an era was passing.
I hope the members can find a way to keep the Wellsville church open - but also recognize the reality of the difficulties faced by many similar churches.
The Church needs to permit priests to be married. There is nothing in the Bible stating they can't be- not to mention, it would cut down on the pedophiles.
If indeed this merger is going to take place the Church needs to offer some solutions to the parking problem. Car pooling, valet parking or a church van would help with the parking problem.
As a member of Immaculate Conception I have made the decision to not attend St. Al's if my parish closes. The past two weeks I have experienced injustice and now "I see the light." The light is that the church board, parishioners of St. Al's and Rev. Peter Haladej have shown no compassion or understanding to the parishioners of IMMC. Father Peter stated during Mother's Day mass at St. Al's that there are some "trouble makers in Wellsville." How disrespectful. He did'nt wish the IMMC mothers Happy Mother's Day but mentioned it twice at St. Al's. WYTV broadcast from St. Al's tonight. St. Al's people spoke on TV that IMMC people must accept this and it will be great that there will be more attending St.Al's. All we want is one mass a week in Wellsville. There are many that will not be able to attend St. Al's and many who will attend another parish because of Father Peter's lack of compassion and his unwillingness to address our questions and concerns. We simply do not matter. I will not feel welcome at St. Al's knowing that no one cared about displacing IMMC parishioners or that the elderly will lose the gift of their weekly mass. Money is not the issue. The weekly collection far out weighs any expenses. O
Why don't you invite Fr. Haladej to the meeting this evening at the SOI?
A belated Happy Mother's Day to all that attended mass at St. Als yesterday.
nib
I personally mailed Father Peter and Bishop George Murry the flyer which stated "OPEN MEETING FOR IMMC PARISHIONERS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS. SOI MAY 9TH 7:00 PM. THIS MEETING IS TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF IMMC." I am positive that they both received this. What is so disturbing to the many of the parishioners of IMMC is that church board members have not communicated to IMMC people the results of their meetings concerning this refiguration. We have not been addressed although this concerns US (IMMC). Father Peter himself has not communicated to IMMC and now we hear "you have known for a long time that this was going to happen." A prominent parishioner has sent 4 letters to the Bishop. The close knit IMMC parish family is hurting knowing our emotions are not being considered and that we may be soon be forced to separate and scatter to the Catholic church of our CHOICE.
PS. Thank you for the Mother's Day wishes on behalf of the mother's of IMMC. I have lived in several states throughout my life time and attended mass faithfully my entire life.....never have I heard a priest not wish mothers HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.
Thanks to all the people who came to the SOI open meeting last night. The place was packed. Everyone I know is happy with the the way the meeting was conducted. What was especially nice is that everyone present had their opportunity to speak. The handicaped people broke my heart stating they could not attend St. Al's and are looking for a parish to accomodate their needs. It's not over until the doors of IMMC close for good. Please let's continue the effort to become a worship center with one mass per week.
I;ve been away from Wellsville for many years. The news is sad to hear about the parish of my childhood. I went to ICS school for 8 years and have many pleasant memories.
APPEAL TO ALL IMMC PARISHIONERS WHO WISH TO SAVE OUR CHURCH:
PLEASE ATTEND MEETINGS AT THE SOI. THERE IS ONE TONIGHT MAY 31ST AT 7:00 PM. USUALLY EVERY MONDAY AT 7:00 PM WE HAVE A MEETING. SUPPORT THOSE WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISHIONERS NEXT MEETING IS MONDAY JUNE 13TH AT THE WELLSVILLE SONS OF ITALY. PLEASE ATTEND AND SUPPORT OTHERS TRYING TO SAVE IMMC. WELLSVILLE NEEDS IT'S CATHOLIC COMMUNITY. THERE IS NO GRAVE REASON TO CLOSE THE CHURCH. CANON LAW STATES THERE MUST BE GRAVE REASON. THE REASONS GIVEN TO DO NOT JUSTIFY A GRAVE REASON. NOW IS THE TIME TO STAND TOGETHER TO FIGHT THOSE WHO WISH TO DESTROY GOD'S HOUSE AND PEOPLE'S FAITH. PLEASE DON'T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. JOIN THE EFFORTS OF MANY TO SAVE OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF WELLSVILLE.
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