The following comes from a reader. We will let you know if we hear anything more about this proposal:
“This evening at Annunciation (Hall),at 7 P.M., there is a meeting regarding the future of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Parish at Annunciation.We have heard that the D.o.R. is entertaining the thought of not renovating Annunciation and just shutting down both St. Andrew Church and Annunciation.”
I don’t think anyone viewed Annunciation as a long-term solution given the small size of the church and the several costly upgrades required to make it serviceable. In addition to the congregation numbering only ~150 persons, there are few young people who attend Masses at this church. The only reason the diocese might choose to keep it open and renovate the building would be to increase its value for sale.
Why not shut down Annunciation and keep St. Andrew open? That’s right, there are groups interested in purchasing St. Andrew.
Money, money, money…
Tags: Church Closings, DoR If I Only Had a Hart, News and Media, Northeast Rochester Cluster
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Sadly, a renovated Annunciation Hall would have been on borrowed time anyway.
More fruits of the womenchurch in Rochester.
Fortunately, the “Light of Christ” will burn forever in these parishioners hearts.
I was not able to attend the Monday night meeting at Annunciation but talked to two credible parishioners who attended. Deb Housel and Fr. Paul Gitau were present, representing the D.o.R. There was a very good turn out of parishioners.They do not have enough money to renovate Annunciation at this time, but are planning to keep it open. However, they were able to obtain money (apparently from local parishes)to put on a new roof on Annunciation – (and to do work to St. Michael’s Hall).The upsetting news – Fr. Paul opened a book and announced a date for the closing of St. Andrew Church. June 12th of this year was picked out! The D.o.R. had promised not to close St. Andrew Church until Annunciation was fully renovated and made handicap accessible. I heard parishioners got very angry and voiced objection. I heard some parishioners got angry and walked out of the meeting. Deb Housel and Fr. Paul Gitau cited the change of plans as specifications of the new priests who were coming to St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Parish.They wanted everything done and a closed deal before they came – They wanted to start out new.
A parishioner stood up and announced that he believed that Annunciation would not be open that long after they renovated it. He stated that he believed the only reason that the D.o.R. was renovating Annunciation was to make it more marketable.He had other parishioners voice their agreement to his conclusion. Deb Housel and Fr. Paul Gitau voiced no objection to that conclusion.
Plans were voiced by the administrators to buy up houses on either sides of Annunciation to increase parking space. Plans also included making more space for seating in the choir loft (which presently can’t be seen)and seating downstairs with a flat screen, to tie them into the upstairs mass. Mind you, they have no money for all that currently. It sounds like blue-skying and also a complete misappropriation of property and funds.Deb Housel told parishioners to dig deeper into their pockets for these plans of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Parish. A parishioner stated that Bingo would be ended and right there was a loss of thousands of dollars income.Deb Housel cited the RG&E bill for St. Andrew Church. Parishioners already came up with ideas of covering windows in wintertime, putting in fans to bring the heat down from the ceiling, and another method, a lowered glass ceiling.Meanwhile, the D.o.R. has installed a new thermostat, pre-set, run on a timer,with a locked cage,from the onset of the cold weather season last Fall/Winter.
My one source thinks that the June 24h date was backed off because of angry parishioners, but we will not know until this Sunday.The D.o.R. already has a buyer for St. Andrew Church but Deb Housel and Fr. Gitau would not reveal who it was.
I was told that parishioners in general felt that the D.o.R. lies and that they cannot be trusted.
Annunciation might as well go back across the street and rent space in their former church.
Correction-“My one source thinks that the June 24th date was backed off because of angry parishioners…”-It should have read – My one source thinks the June 12th date was backed off because of angry parishioners…
Why would Fr. Paul (& Deb Housel and the D.o.R.)think the date for Pentecost is a fitting date and celebration for the closing of a church -in this case, St. Andrew Church?
In regard to their closing of ministries to the poor and disadvantaged, I can’t help but think there is an Anti-Christ spirit at work here.
So what will Pentecost 2011 hold for the Diocese of Rochester? I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Nice move, DoR, pin it on the future “Sacramental Ministers” of the parish.
Did she also cite the $1.2 million list price for the property? Money talks.
I agree. It looks like the diocese is going to sponge money off of parishioners in order to fix up Annunciation before selling it and pocketing cash. I wouldn’t give one penny to fix Annunciation. The diocese is closing churches with nearly 500 weekly attendees because of their priest shortage. How long is a church that brings in only 150 people going to survive?
One definite fact to report-June 12th-Pentecost will not be the closing mass for St. Andrew Church and currently, no date has been set for the closing mass.