Sudden rain closed us down early on Tuesday but Wednesday was beautiful. We had had our youngest demonstrators and our most senior all this week. The lady in her 9th decade put us all to shame standing the entire time.
See some comments below.
Monthly Archives: June 2013
Our Faith is Alive…and Well!
Hello! We’ve created a video to help spread the word about St. Joachim and that we are closing as of June 30, 2013. We hope you like this video enough to share it! God bless you!
Comments from the Demonstration at the Basilica
Fine weather today, June 17th, as some of our parishioners walked the line to “Keep the Faith in Frankford”. Our Roll of Honor for today included: Tammy H., Greg M., Terry P., Florence S., Maryanne S., Al S., Ellie S., grandchildren Caithlyn, Grace and Rylie and Bob S., Pat S.
We are sharing some comments in the video below.
Basilica Demonstration
On Friday, June 14th, we moved over to the Basilica sidewalk and got a good reception from office workers, tourists and folks coming to the 12:05 p.m. Mass. Just a short video but catch our hardest working demonstrators at the end.
Balancing the Budget on the Backs of the Poor
You may have heard that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is closing churches. It has been in the news of late but there has been very little follow-up except to say that people are naturally unhappy.
Frankford (a neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia with a population of about 50,000) is in a unique situation in that the two churches in the heart of Frankford, Mater Dolorosa and St. Joachim, are both being closed. They are within a few blocks of one another and both are in the the poorest area of Frankford. However, both of those churches are financially independent thanks to the astute financial management of their pastors, Father John Large and Father Steve Wetzel.
During the period while this issue was being studied, people in Frankford thought that the two churches would eventually have to merge. They were prepared for that likelihood but the announcement that both would be closed was sad and puzzling.
So, naturally, they are asking a very simple question of Archbishop Charles Chaput. Why is the Archdiocese closing two financially sound parishes and abandoning the Catholic population in Frankford? They are being cut loose without the slightest care for the hardships the parishioners may endure as a result of this callous treatment by their Church. Many are seniors on fixed incomes. Some are physically disabled. All are the faithful that have stuck with their church over these past years of scandal and shame caused by that same Archdiocese. Now they are being treated like criminals rather than the victims of a money driven Archdiocesan Planning Committee.
So what happened to bring this about? Father Tom Higgins, Pastor of Holy Innocents Catholic Church and Dean of Deanery 12, Lower Northeast Philadelphia, has indicated that he made a proposal to the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning Committee to close one of the Frankford parishes and merge the other into it. He has said that he believed Frankford should retain a Catholic Church. His proposal was rejected.
He then offered an alternate proposal to close both parishes and merge them into St. Bartholomew in Wissinoming. That also was rejected. The end was dictated by the Archdiocesan Planning Committee that both Churches along with another, St. Joan of Arc, would all be merged into Holy Innocents.
Well, if they did not listen to the Dean, who did they listen to? It might have been the cash register. We can’t say for sure but that is the only reasonable explanation for this crazy idea. It’s like a corporate raider has taken over the Catholic Church. The parish’s assets are worth more liquidated than operating. Those stained glass windows in these old churches alone are of significant value. The land and buildings, even in Frankford, are going to bring in cash.
Given that the Archdiocese is bleeding red ink, this makes it too tempting. Why leave these working class parishes continue when their assets can be put to use supporting other favored projects, like paying off lawsuits, legal fees and making up the deficient pension system for retiring priests.
Sounds like Gordon Gecko in a Roman collar. For their sake, let’s hope that Jesus doesn’t turn up at 222 N. 17th street any time soon. I can’t imagine he would approve that the occupants have placed the god of money above the welfare of souls.
The Demonstration Daily – Friday, June 14, 2013!
Happy Flag Day! We celebrate that we are able to voice our opinions! Today, 3 young visitors from Russia wanted to get a picture with Greg Minetola, an”American Protestor”! We weren’t quick enough to save this moment for posterity. So, perhaps our struggles will reach Russia!!!!!!
Here’s our Roll of Honor for the week:
Wednesday, June 12th – Janice C., Bill McG., Greg M., Kate M., Mary M., Maryanne S., Bob S., Pat S., and Ann Y.
Thursday, June 13th – Mary M. (All by her lonesome – she’s a trooper! A few others would have gone except for the threatened downpours!)
Friday, June 14th – Brian H., David H., Shannon H., Dolores M., Greg M., Linda N., A.J., Florence S., Tina D., Kate M., Bob S., Pat S., Ellie S., Al S., their daughter, Kelly, grandchildren Caithlyn, Grace and Rylie, Jackie Young
As I’ve shared with you, these demonstrating efforts do have a great effect and are a great way to share information and publicize our plight. Today, we were joined by those protesting the abuse of children by the clergy. Wanting to give them an opportunity to express their opinions, we walked over to the Basilica to demonstrate there. We thought this was much better than 222. We had less wind so we could have a display; it was sunny; we were able to reach people on the Parkway. There are a lot of tourists and many did come to the Basilica. We would be there for Mass as well. Since the Basilica is being renovated at a total cost of $25 million; it may make more sense to align our message with the Basilica – Church to Church!
Bob Smiley has been taking pictures and interviewing those who want to share “the St. Joachim Good News”! Enjoy the photos and an interview with Tina D! We are creating new spaces on our website and the text of Tina’s letter will be posted there soon.
Smileys Unable to Accept Merger Plan So Removed From St. Joachim’s Transition Team
Father Thomas Higgins, Pastor of Holy Innocents, reached out to Bob and Pat Smiley, the Transition Team representatives from St. Joachim. The Smileys were invited to meet with Father Higgins at the parish rectory. We met today. The beginning of the meeting was very cordial with Father asking how everything was going and we asking about his work. Father shared with us, as he has said from the beginning, that he believed there should be a Catholic presence, a church, in Frankford.
This pastoral planning process was long and arduous for all. That we can all agree on! Father told the Smileys that he had made two proposals himself suggesting first that St. Joachim merge at Mater Dolorosa and St. Joan of Arc at Holy Innocents. When that was not accepted, Father tried again with St. Joachim and Mater Dolorosa merging with St. Bartholmew and St. Joan of Arc merging with Holy Innocents. Again, that was not accepted. The Smileys thanked Father for his efforts and believe that someone in the Archdiocese will have the wisdom to overturn this unfair and unjust decision.
As it became clear that the Smileys would not cease trying to “Keep the Faith in Frankford” by keeping one Church open in Frankford, Father expressed concerns that the Smileys would not be able to truly “be on the same page” with Father and the rest of the Transition Team. The Smileys, especially Pat, restated their committment to helping in this important process while acknowledging that, according to Father, we wanted the same thing, a Catholic presence in Frankford. Pat Smiley asked if either Smiley had done anything to warrant or cause these feelings. Emails Father has received from the Archbishop, Monsignor Rodgers and the latest article from the “Juniata News” titled “St. Joachim Parishioners Want to ‘Keep the Faith in Frankford’ by Keeping Their Church Open are evidence of the successful efforts that St. Joachim parishioners and supporters have demonstrated regarding the unfair and unjust decision to close St. Joachim. Father indicated that we were not accepting of the Archdiocesan decision to merge our parish. Father felt this gap was too big to be able to be bridged and he was not comfortable with the Smileys remaining on the Transition Team. As of today, the Smileys are no longer on the Transition Team. The Smileys expressed regret that Father felt this way and wish the entire Transition Team and staff of Holy Innocents only the best and many blessings on their efforts.
The Spirit is With Us!
Hello, all! Much has been happening behind the scenes and I really appreciate your patience. I have not been able to share this simply because of time and wanting to give you the full story.
As you know, we began today what I feel is one of the most important things we can do to get the attention of the Archbishop and our ecclesiastical hierarchy. That is to “demonstrate” by physically walking for what we believe in, in effect, picketing.
I went to the Archdiocesan office building yesterday to let them know we were coming. The Information Office is staffed by two very kind people who understood our sincerity and desire just to express our views and share information with those entering and leaving the building as well as those passing by.
You’ll remember that I had posted that we would be demonstrating Monday – Friday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM downtown, Sundays at the 6:30 PM Mass that the Archbishop says at the Basilica, and that we would greet him as he traveled within the Archdiocese. That meant going to Downingtown on Saturday at 4:00 PM for the rededication of St. Joseph’s Church there. We had volunteers at the ready.
You have been heard! The Archdiocese is listening!
WE ARE NOT GOING TO DOWNINGTOWN! WE ARE NOT GOING TO DOWNINGTOWN! SPREAD THAT WORD FAR AND WIDE! WE ARE NOT GOING TO DOWNINGTOWN!
Yesterday, I received a phone call from Fr. Steve, who received a phone call from Monsignor Kutys, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, who received a call from the Archbishop in California to ask us to please respect the celebration of those at St. Joseph’s. To show their good faith and acknowledge that we have been effective, Monsignor Rodgers, Coordinator of Archdiocesan Planning Initiatives, came out to greet me today. We spoke for at least one-half hour and covered our reasons that St. Joachim needs to stay as a full parish. If you know me, you know that I am more of a talker than a listener and this was our opportunity to make a good case – in a good way. In good faith, I agreed to respect the celebration scheduled for the people of St. Joseph’s. Monsignor talked about the idea that parish reorganization was to insure sustainability of our parishes. I did counter with the fact that no one knows the future and that the fact we are “small” has not kept us from making a “big” impact within the neighborhood in large part because of Father Steve and the 15th Police District. So many people have had contact with St. Joachim and our spirit of community. For those of you who remember Mary Teat, Monsignor would have tea with her and he said that’s probably what he would be doing now. I said that she probably wouldn’t give him any cake to go with that tea because of these announced closings. God bless you, Mary!
As we finished talking, Monsignor had to leave to hear confessions, but as Pastor of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, he let me know that the Archbishop greets those who attend Sunday Mass there. He invited us to come. We can make the best of the good faith that we have engendered in the style of the way we have opposed the closing of our churches. We will not picket on Sunday but we will wear our badges and sit together. We hope to have our chance to greet the Archbishop.
We are demonstrating on Friday (tomorrow could be questionable due to the weather but Tina, Barbara and Mary may go – remember I can’t).
Shortly before we were finished downtown, I received a call from Father Higgins, Pastor of Holy Innocents, asking Bob and I to come to a meeting on Friday afternoon. I don’t know what it’s about and it might be related to our transition. You know I will inform you.
We are meeting tomorrow night at 7 PM at Church. This meeting to open to anyone who wants to actively help us in our efforts to show that St. Joachim, though a church building, brings the Church to our neighbors. We will be planning new strategies!
We will meet again after the 10:30 PM Mass! We must keep pressure on! We can’t let up!
Because of the Archdiocese’s efforts to reach out to us through several highly placed Monsignors, you have had an effect. We have stayed together, united and purposeful. Keep the Faith in Frankford! Keep working to spread the Good News of St. Joachim!
First Day of Demonstrating – June 12, 2013
Demonstration Daily
Hello and thank you for visiting. The following information is for all who are directly involved in the effort to Keep the Faith in Frankford. We invite you to join us and lend your special gifts and talents to this worthy cause. It is not about us – it is about those who have no voice and who will have no Catholic Church in Frankford after June 30! God bless you!
Demonstration Daily
Good morning! I have been told that we have had some direct contact from California. You know who’s in California, right? Yes, our brother, Archbishop Chaput. Someone looking through the keyhole of the door has reported our activities. We know someone is behind that door. We just have to get someone to open it. The next 2 days will be telling. So, what do we do?
We keep the pressure up. Today is the first day of “demonstrating” – not picketing. If you, your friends and relatives can join us at 222 N 17th St between 11 AM and 1 PM today, please be there! This is our biggest pressure point!!!!!!
Phone calls to 215.587.3600 – do your daily dialing! Emails – directly to the Archbishop because he is the ONLY one who change change this decision.
Letters to the Archbishop -Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
222 N. 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Petitions – in print and online.
Reach out and invite all to join us – let’s get 200 visits to www.keepthefaithinfrankford.or
I had forgotten the Archbishop was of Native American descent and the first Bishop to represent his people. Knowing American history, we know the injustice done to our Native Americans and that means that the Archbishop knows injustice as well.
You are awesome. Keep up the pressure! We’re rolling…like thunder!!!!!!!