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The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
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St. John the Evangelist Church
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THE CATHEDRALS OF
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
AND
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
Joint Transitional Pastoral Council Members:
Robert Burke Donna Zeolla
Nancy Crast Virginia Leasure
Bill Bergen Michael Sullivan
Colleen Barth Paul Drotar
Anthony Phan Dave Maclachlan
Dick Salanger Sr. Maureen D'Onofrio
Sr. Judy Howley Fr. Quartier
Goal: To merge two faith communities in order to maintain a strong Catholic presence for the poor and disadvantaged of central Syracuse as it extends to the beginnings of the North side of the city. To continue to provide sacred space for refugee peoples, struggling to maintain their identity in a new world.
History:
The Pastoral Council at St. John the Evangelist has been studying the future of the parish since the time that Fr. Quartier was appointed Administrator in 1999. This study came about due to the shrinking number of American parishioners. For the last 25 years the city parishes have lost parishioners to the suburbs. The construction of 81-690 has also significantly altered the neighborhood around St. John the Evangelist. The result is that the average weekend attendance at St. John the Evangelist is under 175 Americans. The parish has remained vibrant primarily due to the influx of Vietnamese twenty-seven years ago. There is a very strong community of Vietnamese who have added tremendously to the spirit of St. John's. Unfortunately the Vietnamese are not able to financially support the parish by themselves. With the awareness of the loss of parishioners, the scarcity of priests and the age of the buildings the Pastoral Council began to seriously discuss the future of the parish. To avoid closing all together it was decided in the spring of 2005 to merge with Cathedral. Since it was the First Cathedral and since Fr. Quartier was appointed Rector of the Cathedral the Council felt that this was the best strategy in order to keep this magnificent structure open. Plan:
1. Fr. Neal Quartier appointed Rector of the Cathedral and Administrator of St. John the Evangelist in July 2005.
2. Transition Team appointed with members from both parishes to begin discussions.
3. Common events initiated between both parishes: Thanksgiving Liturgy, Harvest dinners, Holy Week services etc.
4. Spring 2006 Transition Team abolished and replaced by Combined Transitional Pastoral Council to plan and set goals for Fall 2007.
5. Common Bulletin by Fall 2006.
6. St. John the Evangelist to become a Mission of The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by Fall 2007.7. Common Financial Committee and common finances by Fall 2007.8. Common Religious Education by Fall 2007.
9. New Trustees to be selected - one from each parish.
10. New Pastoral Council to be elected from both parishes by Fall 2007.
11. Cathedral / St. John's Social Action Committee Fall 2006.
12. Cathedral/ St. John's Liturgical Committee Fall 2006.
13. Deacon John Collins takes responsibility for St. John's parishioners in hospital, or shut-in at home. He will also baptize at St. John's and do weddings for parishioners without a Mass. (Began in 2005)
14. Deacon Fred Cholette coordinator of Weddings and Baptisms at Cathedral ( since 2005).
15. Sr. Maureen will be Pastoral Associate at the Cathedral.
16. Sr. Judy will continue as Director of Asian Apostolate. 17. Joy Quimbly retires Oct. 1, 2006 and Sr. Catherine assumes role of Office and Business Manager.
18. Tom Gibbons (Head of Maintenance at St. John?s) will work with Cathedral Maintenance to assure transition when he retires.
19. Mark Jachim (St. John?s organist) will work with Duane Sutton (Cathedral organist) to share duties and prepare for the future music program at both sites.
What does it mean to be a Mission Church?
According to Canon Law a Mission Church is connected to the Main Church (The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception). One Pastor or Administrator governs both. All facets of the administration are combined. .
Why a Mission Church?
This is an attempt when many Church buildings are closing to keep this historic Church alive as long as possible. Twenty-seven years ago it became a haven for the Vietnamese refugees who lost their country. It continues to provide sacred space for this growing community as well as welcoming refugees from other countries. Unfortunately the refugee communities cannot support this structure on their own at this time in history. By maintaining this sacred structure and the available meeting space there is a vital Catholic presence reaching out to the poor and downtrodden of our city. The work of the Cathedral with the poor is only complemented by the presence of this structure within 10 minutes walking distance.
What changes will take place at St. John the Evangelist?
This will constantly be evaluated. It will depend upon the numbers attending the weekend liturgies. It will depend upon volunteers for Lector, Eucharistic Minister and serving. If they continue to dwindle there may be only one Mass celebrated on a weekend. A time may come when no weekend Masses are celebrated and the Church is available for Funerals and Weddings of parishioners only. Daily Mass will also be evaluated. This will depend upon the availability of priests to celebrate. Much is dependent upon the involvement of St. John?s parishioners to keep this parish vital.
What about Parish Staff?
At the present time the staff consists of Joy Quimby, secretary, Sr. Catherine, Business Manager, Thomas Gibbons, Buildings Manager, Mark Jachim, organist, Deacon John Collins, and Sr. Judy, Asian Apostolate (which is separately funded by Hope Appeal). Joy Quimby is retiring as of October 1 and will not be replaced. Sr. Catherine will be in the office most of the week. When Tom Gibbons retires the staff at Cathedral will care for St. John's. Mark Jachim and Deacon John will continue on at St. John's and be paid by the Cathedrals of the Immaculate Conception and St. John the Evangelist. If at some point St. John's is closed Deacon John and Mark will either continue at Cathedral or find ministry on the North side of Syracuse.
What will be the evaluation criterion as to whether St. John's stays open?
Each year the New Pastoral Council will look at many factors:
1. The numbers of parishioners attending.
2. The availability of Priests. The availability of Msgr. McGraw
3. The numbers of volunteers (Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Servers, Money counters).
4. The age and shape of the church building. A major issue (the steeple) could force closure.
5. Whether the weekly contributions pay the bills.
6. The future of the church building: is it saleable, how much to tear it down etc. A real estate committee will be formed to study all aspects of this.
What about Finances?
Whenever a parish is merged the finances are under the auspices of the new corporation. If a parish is closed the finances become the property of the parish that they are connected with. The goals of the merger are to use wisely all of the funds at both Cathedral and St. John's to especially continue the work of the poor that both parishes are involved in. Both parishes have major issues with their old buildings. The Cathedral roof is an issue. St. John's has concerns about its roof and steeple, which could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The finance committee will be composed of members from both communities who will work diligently to use the monies wisely. Unfortunately both structures could eat up a great deal of any savings. One task will be to make sure that we are not wasting money or throwing money away by keeping open buildings. This is not easy to say but it is a question that must constantly be addressed before a crisis hits.
What about the Vietnamese Community and Outreach to Refugees?
St. John's prides itself in its welcoming a people who fled their country and needed to find a new home. The Vietnamese community has kept St. John's alive for the past 25 years both by their presence and the good work that they have inspired the people of St. John's to be part of. They have a great desire to keep their language and traditions. St. John's has become their home. Ideally we would like to continue this. Unfortunately the community is not at a place where they alone can financially support St. John the Evangelist. Within the next 8 years a serious decision may have to be made regarding the steeple, which could cost a minimum of $500,000. With this in mind the Vietnamese community has also been meeting to plan their future. They would prefer to have their own church but Bishop Moynihan is not in favor of this. He prefers to have them part of an already established parish. He is fervent in his belief that we have too many church buildings to support in this diocese with too few people supporting them. We would we most happy to have the Vietnamese community become part of the merger plan with Cathedral. There is a problem with the Vietnamese making their home at the Cathedra. The Vietnamese do not believe that Cathedral offers the space they need for tutoring and classes. Assumption and Our Lady of Pompeii have also welcomed the Vietnamese Community to their parishes. This is an issue that the Diocese and the Vietnamese community are presently working on. It is hoped that they will remain part of St. John's as long as it remains open.
St. John?s has also worked with other refugees and this is a very important ministry that needs to be continued. With St. John the Evangelist remaining a Mission of the Cathedral the site on North State Street could continue to be a welcoming presence for all refugees.
What about the Pantry that St. John?s runs with First English Lutheran?
This is also a very important ministry that needs to be continued on the North side. As part of this merger plan we are hoping in the context of the Social Action Committee at the Cathedral to bring together a vision team to look at both parish pantries. We hope to include Catholic Charities and develop a five-year vision plan for food pantries in the city and on the North side. This is another reason to have a presence on North State Street.
Is this plan definite?
No. It is a plan to be submitted to Bishop Moynihan by Thanksgiving 2006. It is definite that St. John the Evangelist is merging with Cathedral. This was decided by St. John the Evangelist Pastoral Council and the Diocese when Fr. Quartier was appointed Rector of the Cathedral. The plan to make St. John's a Mission with constant evaluation has to be accepted by Bishop Moynihan.
What if the plan is not accepted?
We will have to live with whatever Bishop Moynihan decides. We have done our best to make a plan and keep St. John's open. There are always larger issues in a diocesan church that we have no control over. If personnel become so scarce in the next few months and Fr. Quartier is the only priest available to serve both parishes, this will change the plan.
What are the costs to maintain St. John the Evangelist Church if the Diocese chooses to close it? ( to be determined and submitted with this proposal to the Bishop before Thanksgiving 2006).
The building would have to be maintained to prevent anyone from being hurt by falling roof tiles or issues with the steeple etc. Therefore, the building would have to be heated, insurance would have to be paid, security would have to be provided, grass would be need to be cut and snow removed.
Costs: Insurance Heat Maintenance
If the Church is kept open with limited services and staff what would the additional costs be?
Maintenance which includes wine, hosts, cleaning materials, flowers, vestments, etc.
Revised Sept. 14, 2006
What are the costs to maintain St. John the Evangelist Church if the Diocese chooses to close it? ( to be determined and submitted with this proposal to the Bishop before Thanksgiving 2006).
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