St. John's is more than a building

This is a letter to the editor published Monday, May 4, 2009, in the Beacon Journal:

I would like to comment on the letter by Father Zingales of Annunciation Church (''Cherish the teachings of the Catholic Church,'' April 17) about the merging of St. John's with the Annunciation parish.

I do not think St. John's is just a ''building.''

We are a family; we married there, baptized our children there and buried our loved ones from there.

This is the home where we meet with our family members every week for good times and sad times.

Some of us just don't understand the logic in this particular merger. St. John's is financially solid, and has been for some time, whereas Annunciation has had financial issues for some time.

We have parking lots on both sides of the church with handicap access. Annunciation has very limited parking.

This has been very difficult for me and many others to accept. And to have this church that we love called just a ''building'' isn't making this any easier. Father Zingales is more than likely used to moving around a lot.

We are not. Some of us have been here for over 50 years.

If this is how he feels, then let the church merge Annunciation's bui,ding with St. John's family. Maybe it'll work out better than the school merger did.

Charleen Lintz

Akron.