It seems as if our CMA donations go to everything under the sun, except for making sure our priests are literate to a sufficient degree. This may sound harsh, but illiteracy (or poor reading comprehension skills) seems to be the only logical explanation for the following:

Many of you will note that the Blessed Sacrament is still in the church-proper of St. Thomas the Apostle in Irondequoit. Canon Law is very clear about the necessity of its presence and the ability of the laity to make holy hours and the like:

Can. 934 §1 The blessed Eucharist:

1° must be reserved in the cathedral church or its equivalent, in every parish church (this means “each and every one,” not “whichever ones please the administation”), and in the church or oratory attached to the house of a religious institute or society of apostolic life.

§2 In sacred places where the blessed Eucharist is reserved there must always be someone who is responsible for it, and as far as possible a priest is to celebrate Mass there at least twice a month. (Seeing as how Fr. Tanck stated a while ago that the problem was not necessarily a priest shortage, this seems like it should be a non-issue, especially when I guarantee that any of us could find priests willing to help at St. Thomas to offer the required two Masses.)

These particular excerpts from Canon Law are explicit, and cannot be denied if one has any grasp of reality or rhetoric. It seems as if the administration of Blessed Kateri “parish” are in touch with neither, seeing as how, and I quote:

“After consulting with the Chancellor of the Diocese of Rochester, it would seem that the canon you refer to encouraging that two Masses a month be celebrated in churches where the Eucharist is reserved does not bear the weight of obligation, and that the Blessed Sacrament does not have to be reserved in a church for it to be considered open and accessible for worship by the faithful.”

They have no legitimate reason to keep St. Thomas locked for the vast majority of the time, allowing Our Lord to sit solitary in the shadows, living his Agony in Gethsemane every day from dawn till dusk. Canon Law forbids it. Human decency forbids it. Pray for the people of St. Thomas, that their sufferings might be united with those of Christ the King, whose glorious and royal title is so horribly profaned on such a regular basis.

Surgite, eamus. Ecce qui me tradet, prope est.

With his words in this past weekend’s bulletin from Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Fr. Tanck twisted the dagger he has already so skillfully plunged into the heart of every St. Thomas parishioner.

“In our planning, however, we still need to do more to contain our costs. Among the costs we presently carry are the maintenance, care and insurance coverage of several buildings that we do not use to their full potential because we are able to accommodate our offices, ministries, programs and divine worship in fewer facilities. Our developing Strategic Plan calls for us to divest ourselves of unneeded buildings and real estate; we will soon begin the process of doing so.
I am sure raising these concerns will open old wounds among some of our parishioners, but I hope all will see this as positive proof that we are moving forward as a new unified parish community and good steward of our resources.”

It’s funny how the same fellow who rebuked parishioners for being attached to a “building” can now seize upon the convenience of that notion in order to take further steps towards the dismemberment of the Faith in Irondequoit. Buildings which aren’t used are a burden on the “parish”‘s finances? No kidding, Father. Here’s a dynamic idea: use the buildings, rather than let them sit there leaking and gathering dust. When you have a worship space that accommodates around 1,000 people, it does not make sense to forsake it for whatever mindless reason Fr. Tanck has contrived.

I am making no effort to hide my vitriol for this man’s actions, for they speak of the prevailing passive-aggressive contempt the Diocese has for anyone or anything that dares to reflect a global Catholicism, rooted in Tradition more sacred than any of these “administrators” can imagine. Whether or not they care to admit it or not, these men who are as so many lords in their castles are soon to be shown to be as so many jesters in the court of the next bishop who shall reign here. Error has no rights, and there are few errors so egregious as the mistreatment of devout and charitable parishioners whose only desire is to praise God without the malicious intervention of men such as this. There is no excuse for the lack of pastoral sensitivity seen in this situation. “I am sure raising these concerns will open old wounds among some of our parishioners.” Are you, Father? You seem to be acting like a pediatrician who looks gleefully at his frightened and hesitant patient, and then says to her, “I’m going to give you a shot. It’ll probably hurt a lot, and you might cry and feel rotten, but it’s what you need.”

What adds a particular awareness of Fr. Tanck’s demeanor in this matter is the reference in the financial committee minutes to turning off the water, heat, etc. at St. Thomas.

“Andrew suggested that all of the following buildings (STA church, SS church, STA house, STA parish center) be ‘mothballed’. This would include turning off all utilities and placing antifreeze in pipes. This will save money on utilities. (This is similar to SMM school process. The school was “mothballed” until a buyer was found.)”

Ah, well, thank God we’ll be able to save some money by making parishioners sit in a cold dark church to offer their Rosaries. (Sorry, I made a mistake: “The daily recitation of the Rosary at STA could be moved to the Adoration Chapel.” Isn’t that generous, folks?) And, mercy of mercies, “Only one Mass a year is needed at the churches to ensure tax-exempt status.”

Now let’s read that for what it is. 1. Get the people out of St. Thomas itself. Fr. Tanck seems to favor an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to this matter. 2. The properties will be easier to sell. Note the sanctimonious tone through all of these quotes – I can practically see the “it’s for your own good” after every single one. 3. We’ll allow a Mass or two per year, not for the salvation of souls, but for the sanctification of our coffers. We’re still tax-free, you know!

I would offer more commentary, but I don’t think that’s necessary. Fr. Tanck and the Finance Committee have both spoken more through their actions than I could ever interpret here.

You can read the Bulletin here, and the Financial Committee minutes here.