My first “organizing” words were “I represent the parishioners of St. Joachim” so, in whatever capacity or environment I find myself, I remember that I am not speaking for myself but for you, for us! While we still mourn the closed gates of our Church, we have opened the doors to many new relationships, friendships and possibilities. For that, I am truly blessed.

I met Loraine Ballard Morrill when Bob and I joined Ellie and Al Stark at the weekly Saturday night Rosary that the parishioners of La Milagrosa Chapel said outside their chapel since it was sold and no longer available for them to gather and worship there as they have for the past 100 years. No one from the Archdiocese has come to their aid. It’s a given that the Archdiocese did not own the building but those parishioners belonged to the Archdiocese. As we talked, Loraine shared with me that she worked for ClearChannel Media+Entertainment and would like to interview me to find out more of our story. Loraine is the News and Community Affairs Director and we scheduled the interview for Wednesday morning, 8/14. Loraine is very knowledgeable about our community and its happenings and I am very grateful to her and to ClearChannel Media+Entertainment for their interest and concern about the recent closings of so many of our churches. Loraine asked very thoughtful questions and ones that helped me to form some new insights into our current situation. Loraine also wrote a great story that you can read on her blog, “Pat Smiley to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia – Bring My Church Back!” This interview aired this morning on “What’s Going On” between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM on Q102, Radio 104.5 and Mix 106.1.

We believe in Jesus because He believes in us. We must start with relationships. That is what holds us together and keeps us together and what made St. Joachim a special place. As Father Steve said, “God has visited His People”. Initially, we believed we had a relationship with those charged with the Area Planning Process but their concern was achieving the closing and merging of parishes with as little disruption as possible. We have gotten in the way of that – relationships matter!

As a group, we, Catholics, have been very respectful and cognizant of the life choices that our clergy and religious have made in order to live out their mission call from God and to serve the people of God – us! I would not be the person I am had I not attended St. Veronica’s and St. Cecilia’s schools and taught by the IHM’s that God expects us to share the gifts he gives to each of us. Cardinal Dougherty, during the late 60’s and 70’s, helped to form my social awareness and being a child of the 60’s, my ability to question and believe that questioning only helps all of us. We have asked questions of our Church leaders and, instead of counting on the relationship we expected, we have only been “shut down” like our Churches and asked to accept what has been decided and will not be changed. We require wisdom because we cannot accept this. Our view is that we are asking these questions to strengthen and form a real working relationship and to assist in building the city of God right here in Philadelphia – if we’re given the chance.

For those of you who missed the interview this morning on the radio, here for your listening pleasure: