We held off writing anything because we weren't sure which way we going to approach this. Were we going to mention the door Nazi that was told to make sure no cameras were taken inside the building? He even attempted to keep the press people out all together. Were we going to mention the lady that referred to everyone in Wellsville as being “a bunch of a—holes” was present? Was she trying to make amends or gathering information to take back up the river? Then we decided what good would it do?
With no activities planned this past week by the Committee to Save Immaculate Conception Church someone else decided to have a Community Prayer Service. They were given permission to use the church for one hour as long as everyone stayed away from the altar.
With an impressive display of support various members of the Wellsville Area Ministerial Association attended. They were led by their President, Rev. Jay Nightengale. Some even took part in the prayer service. Wellsville Church of the Nazarene Pastor Dirk Hall gave the opening prayer. Pastor Ken Malone of United Methodist Churches and Pastor Darlene Zanders of Mt. Sinai FBH both offered prayers. Aaron Roach from the First Baptist Men's Choir sang a rousing song asking the Lord to come by here. Other members of the Ministerial Association attending was Rev. Betsy Pullie, First Baptist Deacon Terry McCuen and Nazerene Youth Minister Aaron Smith. Continuing to show her support, Councilwoman Rosie Goss was also present. Goss is also a member of the First Baptist congregation.
Nunzio Lombardozzi acted as Master of Ceremonies. Mayor Joe Surace gave the welcome. Tom Brophey read the appeal filed with the Congregation of the Clergy saying it was now in Vatican City -
Rome. Earl Betz read a prayer of petition and Frank Rivelle recited a prayer to St. Jude. Other musical selections were led by Joe Olesky and the Immaculate Conception Choir.
It was an impressive display of support with all the people mentioned above, along with many others attending. All were praying for one common goal and that is to keep the Immaculate Conception Church open as a worship site for at least one hour a week in the newly merged Holy Trinity Parish.
The Fund Raising Committee is taking orders for the bright blue “Save the Immaculate Conception Church” T-Shirts. They are $13 a shirt and come in sizes small up to 3 XL. The Committee to Save the Immaculate Conception Church is holding their next meeting Monday, July 18 at 7 PM. The meeting will be held at the SOI Lodge 657 at 327 Main Street in Wellsville.
A newspaper article on the Prayer Service said a blogger was “taking photographs prior to the service”. Must be another blogger out there. We left our camera in our vehicle until near the end of the service. Maybe that is why we didn't have any problem attending the service. We didn't try to take it inside the church... this time.
ole nib
8 comments:
The support of the other churches in Wellsville is so heartwarming. We are all praying we can stay open but like Pastor Hall said it will take a miracle. But God does work miracles.
Well, no Father Peter again at Mass. Does not look like he is coming back to ICC. Sad, very sad.........
We think he's pouting... Isn't a Parish Administrator suppose to "tend his flock and try to save lost souls"?
As you said "sad, so very said"...
nib
I guess it's only a matter of time, before the bad apples from St Als, start blaming us for his not showing up. I can hear it now, " you ran him out, shame on you trouble makers, why would, or should he show up there after the way you're all acting"...Blah Blah Blah......
Could it be that Father Peter hasn't come back because someone further up the ladder told him not to? Do you honestly want him there? I mean the folks unhappy with how things have transpired. If I understand correctly, 27 people voted to merge & his job was to carry out the steps involved. I'm not defending him, just wondering if he has been doing what he was told to step by step, even if he wasn't comfortable doing so? Asking because I don't know him.
The support for this cause from those in town who are not Catholic moves me as well. That is a prime example of "community"!
WE ARE WELLSVILLE!
Dear Anonymous,
First, the vote to merge was so fixed that the people that wanted to vote no said why bother.
Second,the decision to close, not merge, was decided by the Bishop a very long time ago. All this business about a transition team,parish council vote was to take the heat off him. What a joke.
Thirdly,we are still paying Father Peter so he should say Mass. Shame on the Bishop for permitting him to get away with this.
Fourth, WE ARE WELLSILLE !!
Who holds the purse strings at ICC - stop paying him. Save your church and after that is accomplished become a welcoming church. Have Friendship Sundays if you haven't already, if a priest can't then have a member take a more active part in the ministerial association. Make your presence known inside and out of the church all of the time. After all, you are Wellsville.
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