.
Editor
I just wanted to state my position & opinions regarding
the destruction of St. James Church to build what I would
consider an eye-sore. I think it is a hoot that people think an
850 capacity church will bring everyone together and they
want to engage with their fellow Catholics. These people
don’t interact with the 350, why are they going to do it with
850? Overcrowding at Christmas is always going to occur
(new church means fewer Masses therefore overflowing
crowds at Christmas). The quest to build a new church
has only divided parishioners & will create a debt beyond
belief. Some seem to think that in six years the church will
be paid off. Only if a true miracle occurs. I personally
think it is a sin to expect parishioners to ante-up so much for
something they had no input on. Those people that think
you’re going to build what is intended to be a $5.5 million
dollar church will be surprised when the final tally is closer
to $8 million and their grandchildren will be paying off this
debt. Let’s talk about the generous offer by the Dioceses for
the building of the new church at a mere $500,000 collateral.
The Dioceses thinks 18% down is a good idea. St. James is
considered a poor parish. Why would they loan us all that
money? To get their hands on the 22 acres that just happens
to be a future crossroad for Highway 76. I think it is a shame
that the land donated for a new church will just be gobbled
up by the Dioceses. The note in the bulletin to remember
St. James in your will just irks me no end. All those people
who have committed to paying for this mess may as well
ante-up more, because those that didn’t commit to this mess
aren’t going to contribute.
There are many who don’t want the old church torn down,
especially to make room for 17 parking spaces. The old
church is structurally sound & may need some maintenance
(maintenance is more cost-effective than building an
unwanted church). If you are going to build a new church it
should not have steps, so the aging parishioners can make it
to mass. The new church should have a basement.
Let me comment on the notion, “we” have too many
Masses now and the Priests are over-burdened saying Mass.
We have visiting Priests say Mass, and I bet they like the fact
they get to say Mass, since this was their vocation. Even if
one Priest had to say 6 Masses over two days, with the same
message in all 6, if they are tired or burned out, then maybe
they should look at their vocation. School teachers teach
the same thing 6 or more times a day, and they work 5 days
a week. Too many Masses? I would think the Priest would
want to say as many Masses as possible to maximize the
spreading of the good news. Many bring up the point that
Boone County needs two parishes & the 22 acres would be a
better place to build a second church. That would eliminate
the overcrowded parking that currently plagues St. James.
St. James parishioners should think before donating or
pledging.
See the correction (below) from the February 3, 2012 Boone County Journal. Dan Snow is the author of this Letter to the Editor.
The above is taken from the January 27, 2012 Boone County Journal available free of costs at merchants across the county and on the internet at: http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2012/Boone-County-News-01-27-12.pdf#page=1
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