NORWICH – After spending eight months on a road less traveled, members of St. Bartholomew’s and St. Paul’s Churches will now move ahead with an official guide – having some idea of what their future holds.
A final version of the Pastoral Plan – which promotes the necessity of both churches in Norwich, and outlines their future financial, operational and spiritual structures – was accepted without dissent Wednesday night by the joint-parish council, and will be sent to the Diocese of Syracuse for approval early next week.
In the meantime, officials and parishioners believe that just sitting back and waiting for Bishop James J. Moynihan’s decision will not be the only answer to their recent problems.
“I hope we can have the close relationship everyone had before, and slowly come back together,” said Father Douglas Cunningham, the pastor for St. Bart’s and St. Paul’s. “It doesn’t help either church having the anger and animosity that’s been out there. We need to come back together under Jesus Christ.”
In March it was announced that one of the churches would close under a policy of “one priest, one roof.” Cunningham has been heading both churches for six years, and for most of that period they were referred to under one name as “The Church of the Holy Apostles.” However, in the letter sent by the Bishop explaining the move, it appeared the closure was prematurely and arbitrarily directed at St. Bart’s, causing some consternation among that church’s congregation. Since March, the Committee to Save St. Bart’s and officials from both churches have been working and lobbying to save the church – although not always together.
“I’m glad that both churches will stay open,” said St. Bart’s parishioner Theresa Biviano. “I think we can work together. We made a little progress.”
The plan calls for both churches to remain open to meet logistical demands, citing specific examples of economic prosperity, and a growing “Roman Catholic Community.” It points out that there are over 1,000 registered Catholic families between both parishes, that’s combined with an overall Catholic population growth of 26.5 percent in the area from 1990 to 2000.
Structurally, St. Bart’s and St. Paul’s will retain a combined parish council and consolidated business offices, along with a more defined cooperative finance committee, which will allow different members from both parishes to meet with the bookkeeper monthly and report to the congregations on the budget status annually, and sometimes semi-annually. The finance committee will also “investigate” using independent advice on handling certain financial matters. During the Parish Council meeting last night, Father Cunningham acknowledged that St. Bart’s and St. Paul’s – since July 1– have gone back to having separate financial accounts, which were previously combined.
The plan also has an initiative to involve the laity in sub-committee planning on issues related to buildings and grounds, fundraising, stewardship, liturgy, religious education, and parish surveys.
However, St. Bart’s parishioner William Loiselle voiced continued concern over the somewhat melded individual identities of both churches, which are concerns that have been expressed by others throughout the proceedings.
“St. Bart’s would like to have its autonomy back,” Loiselle said, hoping that as time passes, distinctions between councils and finances may become clearer. “That’s our goal.”
The Parish Council commended the work of St. Bart’s parishioner Linda Natoli for her work on the committee that developed the plan.
“It was tough to stay focused,” said Natoli. “We had to do it, and we were unique because we asked the parishioner for the information. The plan was made entirely from their thoughts.”
The plan was signed and sealed at the Monsignor Guy Festa Parish Center last night, and along with many others from throughout the Diocese, will be sent out to the Bishop on Monday. Father Cunningham said an overall decision can be expected by March 2007.