A Corpus Christi procession and outdoor Mass on the grounds of St. Mary Church. was the backdrop for a lengthy page 1 story in today’s Beacon Journal of reopening of two closed parishes in Akron. There were around 300 at the Mass.
There was nothing new in the story by religion writer Colette M. Jenkins. A quote from from Fr. Dan Reed, pastor of St. Bernard-St. Mary Parish, summed it up.
There was nothing new in the story by religion writer Colette M. Jenkins. A quote from from Fr. Dan Reed, pastor of St. Bernard-St. Mary Parish, summed it up.
“In many ways, some of the questions and concerns are the same,” he said. . “Two years ago, people were wondering where they would go after their parishes closed. Now, they are wondering if they should return to those parishes or stay in the parishes where they are now.”
Bishop Richard Lennon met with a group from St. Mary to discuss the reopening and plans to meet with a group from St. John the Baptist this month.
While parishioners wait for word from the bishop on who will lead the reinstated parishes and a date for the openings, some are continuing to serve and worship in the parishes they now call home.
Some say they will return to their old parishes, but most are waiting to see what happens.
Among those quoted was David Doughtery who has become active in St. Paul Parish.
Dougherty, one of the former St. Mary’s parishioners who has already met with Lennon, said he doesn’t expect any movement until leadership is assigned to each parish slated to reopen. Dougherty would not share details of the meeting but said the four parishioners in his group discussed their hopes for St. Mary’s.
“We just shared our ideas and he was very interested in listening to what we had to say. He said he is going to come to Akron and say the first Mass when St. Mary’s reopens,” Dougherty said. “We were not looking for things to be done our way and he wasn’t looking for things to be done his way. We’re Catholics and he is the bishop and we believe he is doing the best he can to do this as well as possible.”
Dougherty is on the finance council at St. Bernard-St. Mary’s and was on the finance council at St. Mary’s. He said he is waiting to see who will lead St. Mary’s Parish before deciding whether to return.
Bishop Richard Lennon met with a group from St. Mary to discuss the reopening and plans to meet with a group from St. John the Baptist this month.
While parishioners wait for word from the bishop on who will lead the reinstated parishes and a date for the openings, some are continuing to serve and worship in the parishes they now call home.
Some say they will return to their old parishes, but most are waiting to see what happens.
Among those quoted was David Doughtery who has become active in St. Paul Parish.
Dougherty, one of the former St. Mary’s parishioners who has already met with Lennon, said he doesn’t expect any movement until leadership is assigned to each parish slated to reopen. Dougherty would not share details of the meeting but said the four parishioners in his group discussed their hopes for St. Mary’s.
“We just shared our ideas and he was very interested in listening to what we had to say. He said he is going to come to Akron and say the first Mass when St. Mary’s reopens,” Dougherty said. “We were not looking for things to be done our way and he wasn’t looking for things to be done his way. We’re Catholics and he is the bishop and we believe he is doing the best he can to do this as well as possible.”
Dougherty is on the finance council at St. Bernard-St. Mary’s and was on the finance council at St. Mary’s. He said he is waiting to see who will lead St. Mary’s Parish before deciding whether to return.
5 comments:
I wish I had known when the Bishop was meeting with parishioners I would like to have attended.
Navarone,I don't think that Fr. Ralph left everyone know about the meeting with the bishop. It was on the blog that he would be meeting with the bishop and asked for members of St. Mary's to come forward. However, he was to have taken the information to the bishop. I know your roots are at St. Mary's and it has been difficult for you to transition to St. Paul's. Goo luck with what ever you decide to do.
I also know that Tony Crookston only contacted some of the folks he wanted to go with him to meet the bishop. It would have been nice to have known about the mass as I would have liked to have gone there for Corpus Christi. St. Paul's left alot to be desired on that most holy day. There were very few people at 11am mass and I now know the reason.
I thought the 9am mass was very nice. A lot of folks are taking vacations for summer and some may be going to 430. As far as the meeting with the bishop, I probably wouldn't have been able to attend because I work during the day. I just have to trust that those who attended did a good job of representing the concerns to the bishop.
I thought Dave Dourgherty was a member of St. Paul's. If he is why is he serving on the Finance Council of another parish. Doesn't sound like he is committed to St. Paul's.
Dougherty was on the committee when the pairsh closed and I assume will retain that position until a decision is made on the reoopening. Like othere, he is waiting to see what happens. Meanwhile he is making his home at St. Paul and is a eucharistic minister.
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