St. Thomas the Apostle to Close

From the very first whispers even unto the present moment, not a single kindness was shown to the people of St. Thomas the Apostle. Their sufferings were mocked and magnified by the greed and callousness of their administration, especially Fr. Norm Tanck. I don't care how many people say we shouldn't single an individual out. When a wrong has been committed, it is the duty of the lay faithful to address it. This is what we are doing.

Fr. Tanck has lied and offered false truths to the people of St. Thomas. As their priest, he should have been leading their defense, but that task was thrown to the ground by his treacherous hands. We were obliged to pick it up, for the sake of genuine charity, caritas. Fr. Tanck will also be the new pastor of the St. Irondequoit community, as it's been termed. He will be assisted by Fr.'s Horan and Leone.

As of now, the parish will be closed on September 1, 2010. This is not official yet, but we have it from a very reliable source. The diocese is certainly in a hurry to destroy the faith in Irondequoit. And I wonder why? Could it be that they see their political agendas and "renewal" efforts failing? Do they blame the orthodox members of the diocesan Church for this? Do the administrators of the diocese not realize that the people of St. Thomas and St. Salome have only followed the Church loyally? Why does the diocese root out the sane parishes, the kind and focused faithful, and the devoted laity, to bring down the hammer of their "leadership"?

The closing of these two parishes is nothing less than a political maneuver hidden behind a facade of people who have been made to feel important and righteous. The IPPG should be ashamed of itself. What Catholic, nay, what human, would willingly turn on his own family? Only the mentally infirm and the traitorously inept would even think to attempt such a thing. And yet these individuals have done more than formulate thoughts- they turned them into dangerous and daunting weapons of canonical destruction.

To the parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Salome - stop contributing to the weekend collections. If the diocese says you don't have the money to support yourselves, don't try to argue otherwise. Make them bleed.

Start getting organized to sue for your money back. Your renovation(s), repairs, enhancements, etc. are your own - you have a right to what you paid for. Do not give one more penny to the diocese, to your parish, or to the CMA. They do not deserve your money, nor are they worthy to sit at your feet and beg for the "scraps off your table." They are the dogs that devoured your spiritual well-being. They deserve no special consideration.

Get to work, friends. Start writing to religious orders, other bishops, and friends who now people. We need to find a buyer for this property, or at least, someone who can take it over at no cost to the diocese. This is the job of another group separate from Cleansing Fire, so I will let them get to work on their own time.

God will not reward the impious. God does not give aid to those who desecrate His holy Church.

Our Lady of Divine Compassion, comfort us in our time of need and sorrow, and pray for the souls who have led us to our doom. They have more need of prayers than anyone else.

Bishop Clark's Decree Regarding the Future of Irondequoit

Folks - there's nothing more which I can say. Just read this. Nothing good can come of this:

Update from Dr. K, 8:18 PM: I believe this decree is dealing with the dissolution of the five parishes as separate parish entities (similar to what happened with Peace of Christ). It does not appear to call for closure of any particular church building. Were closure to be decreed, it would seem that such would need to be clearly stated in the document. I am not sure what this may mean for STA at this point in time. Has the diocese decided to give STA time to prove it should remain open, like was awarded to Holy Name? Is another decree of closure soon to follow? Has the diocese accepted the addendum of St. Thomas (to keep it open) which was attached to and sent along with the IPPG recommendation?

We will post updates as information arrives.

Bishop Accepts IPPG Proposal

Cleansing Fire has learned that Bishop Clark has accepted the IPPG recommendation to merge the Irondequoit parishes into one. However, whether or not the parishes to be closed were mentioned specifically has yet to be determined. I will keep you all up to date with whatever news comes to us. Please check back often, and spread the word.

As if pressured by the fates, Fr. Tanck included in this weekend's bulletin one more slap-in-the-face for St. Thomas the Apostle parishioners. To read his piece in the cluster bulletin, click here. Why is it that when people need a pastoral priest the most, they are confronted with veiled accusations of faithlessness?

Probably the same reason that the orthodox in Rochester are punished for their faith by the administration.

Another thing you should note, is that Fr. Tanck's announcement this evening is the first time he has been present at a weekend Mass at STA in seven weeks. Could his views be any more obvious to the casual observer? I think not.

Bishop Clark, remember that you are a representative of the Holy Apostles. Let this knowledge, and your conscience, dictate your decision, not the politicking of those with whom you have surrounded yourself.

St. Thomas the Apostle, pray for us. St. Matthew the tax collector, and holy Apostle, pray for us. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us.

STA Update - Upcoming Meeting With Bishop Clark

The meeting of the Irondequoit priests with Bishop Clark will be on Monday, May 17th. Keep yours ears open and tell us if you know of any decisions or problems.

When Good Priests Are Fettered By Liberal Politicking

The following was submitted by one of our soon-to-be authors. I thought you would enjoy seeing what he has to say. Let me be clear - this is not an attack on Fr. Horan or any other priest. It serves as a sad reminder that even our ordained brethren can be sucked into situations and events not of their making, and be forced into the way of thinking made all-too-common by our diocesan administration. Pray for our priests, that they can remove the smog of politicking from the parish life of our worship communities.

No Catholic Left Behind

Saturday this week was the regional meeting for Irondequoit Catholics to hear the plan for the configuration of a new parish.  If accepted by the bishop it will mean the end of each of the five Irondequoit parishes and the creation of a brand new worshipping community that would span the town of Irondequoit... The new parish will use three of the five worship/facility sites.  Two parish sites will be closed (and sold -forever).

There is of course sadness for all of us.  Things will never be the same (I don’t think we realize this yet at St. Margaret Mary’s (he has this right!). (All the parish councils should have been made to vote for the same outcome as STA and SS, to close and sell their parish.  There would have been much more understanding of what the diocese is doing to their parishes.)  It is especially hard for those members of St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Salome’s who will lose their beloved church building. (They keep trying to tell us we are just losing our building when in reality we are losing our entire parish, past, present and future, as only one who has been a member of parish can possibly understand.)

Why does it have to be that way?  (Good question!) Why can’t each parish dig down deep and make that all out effort with pledges and fund raisers and increased attendance programs to try to keep alive?  (Isn’t this what we are called to do?  Isn’t this what our forefathers did to build the parishea and support them?  This is a crisis of faith, not resources, Father.)  So Irondequoit can’t support five Catholic parishes . . . Okay, let’s see which ones are strong enough or clever enough to make it.  Kind of a religious Darwinism. (Darwinism?  The survival of the fittest?  In reality, the DoR and IPPG have taken the two weakest, most defenseless parishes, the ones that have no resident pastor that will support them, the ones that have the smallest attendance and by committee decided to extinguish them forever. In reality they are practicing religious Darwinism at its worst!)  Like ships at sea we signal to each other,“Good luck and Godspeed” and off we sail each to face its future alone. (This is simply not true.  In fact, three of the parishes have been clustered for several years now, sharing priests, ministries, and staff.  Yes, we as Catholics are called to support each other and help each parish to grow together.)

That’s not how Catholics do things.  We see things differently.  We believe that we belong to each other; we believe that we’re in this life and this church TOGETHER.  We have one priest and shepherd Jesus Christ.  We have a structure to the church that was given to us by Christ Himself.  Under the successor of St. Peter (“The Rock”) the Holy Father has appointed an apostle (bishop) to be a source of unity and guidance for this part of the world (Rochester and environs).  That bishop sends out priests to celebrate the sacraments in the local parishes.  We all hear the same Gospel and eat of the One Bread that is the Body of Christ. (This is all very true but his conclusion is twisted and not a Catholic perspective at all – read on…..)

So what do Catholics do when some area can no longer support the number of churches from the 1950’s?  We all lose. We all die. In our town we will all lay down our individual lives as parishes.  (We as Catholics are not called to die!  This is not how we are called to support each other.  We are to help each other to grow and spread the faith of Jesus.  We are people of the Light, not people of death.  We are not called to the lowest common denominator so we can all be the same.  This is not the faith that has been handed down to us through many generations that grew and spread the faith.) Now we might all find a home in a new and, shall we say, “Resurrected” parish.  We all lose something dear.  We all gain something brand new. There are no “veterans” who invite us into “their” parish. We are all “beginners” in the new parish.  (In reality, this is a risky experiment that most likely will result in the loss of many Catholics in Irondequoit.)   Why does everyone have to sacrifice when some could survive all by themselves?   (Sacrifice is when you freely give not when something is taken from you. Parishes have a right to exist, Father.)

That’s just what love does when we belong to each other.  (Love doesn’t call one to die with someone but to support and nourish the other. This is true Catholicism!)  We are in this together. NO CATHOLIC LEFT BEHIND.  (No parish left behind!)

Now let’s get busy bringing Christ to this community. I love this Catholic Church. It sent me to be with you. (Amen Father! Amen.)  I’m glad.   (The parishioners of the parishes you voted to close and sell are devastated.)

Fr. Tim

This Has Been a Test of Our Emergency Preparedness System

Sorry folks - the meeting we reported on with Bishop Clark and the Irondequoit priests DID NOT occur. We still await word from the Bishop (or any discontented priests who may wish to inform us of what's going on . . . ). 

St. Thomas the Apostle Decision Expected Tomorrow

A very reliable source has informed us that the bishop has scheduled a meeting tomorrow with the various relevant priests (i.e. Fr.'s Horan, Tanck, Leone, Belligotti, etc.) to discuss the matter of the Irondequoit Suppression, as I call it. There is a strong chance that in 36 hours, we will know the fate of STA. At that time, we will either celebrate the reign of common sense, or mobilize against the forces of ignorance.

Pray for Bishop Clark, and for his priests, that they harden not their hearts, but that zeal for God's house may consume them.

Below are several photographs emailed to me by a friend of the blog and future staffer. They show the original "crypt church" used by the parishioners, the construction of the current majestic structure, and the solemn dedication of that same building. Note the following: many nuns in full habit, many servers in cassock and surplice, priests vested correctly and tastefully, piety on the part of the parishioners, and the clear and undeniable continuation of Tradition with a distinctly modern renewal. How beautiful this diocese once was, and imagine how beautiful it will one day be again!

A Nod of the Miter Goes to . . .

. . . Fr. Frank E. Lioi, for his noble defense of the people and parish of St. Thomas the Apostle Church. As you all know, the matter at hand is the closing of St. Thomas and St. Salome. However, common sense begs the question "Why, when we're moving towards super-churches, are we closing the biggest one in Irondequoit?" Fr. Lioi stated the following. Seeing as how I wasn't in the room, it's not word-for-word, but it's as exact as my sources have told me.

"Bishop Clark, I don't see the purpose in keeping open a church which resembles a temporary basketball court, and closing a permanent, sacred, consecrated building."

The basketball church is either St. Cecilia's or Christ the King - no offense to anyone from those parishes. What he means is that architecturally, they cannot sustain (nor were they meant to) a large group of parishioners. They were supposed to be temporary structures, and have become the lasting ones.

It is also interesting to note that there was a clear and definite majority (if not unanimous) who wanted to see St. Cecelia close in order that the larger, more stable parish may survive. Could it be that, led by solid priests such as Fr.'s Lioi and Leone, the argument for a more logical plan of action could win out? Let us certainly hope so.

Voice of the Faithful - STA Parishioners Speak Out

A nod of the miter goes to the parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle, for their charitable and unrelenting defense of their parish from enemies inside and outside of the establishment. I have never seen a parish wanting so much to be kept alive, yet languishing under a seditious administration whose goals aren't the preservation of the Church, but the preservation of one church. And guess what - it's not St. Thomas the Apostle.

The following was distributed over the weekend by the concerned parishioners, after word got out about Fr. Tanck's less-than-pastoral approach to dealing with the anger and hurt.

Please click the image to see it larger, for ease of reading.

Who would be vicious enough to spread lies and rumors about the people of St. Thomas? We've already seen a blind hatred of the parish from liberals in our midst, saying that the people there are cold, unwelcoming, etc. ad infinitem. Is it not ecclesial treason to betray the very people entrusted to you by God?

All I can say is that most parishes would have just withered away and permitted themselves to be bullied by the forces at work. However, the people of STA have organized into an impressive body, one which definitely shows that the parish is not dying, not apathetic, not bitter or cold. The only bitterness seen in the entire STA affair is the judgmental and irrational approach of certain diocesan employees (yes, I do mean Fr. Tanck), who would rather exclude the faithful from the sacraments than to offer one kind word of comfort.

What's his reaction going to be to this? No Masses at STA this weekend? Only communion services until Pentecost? I wouldn't be surprised.

Thirty Pieces

From Cleveland:

(Please note - this isn't a commentary on this parish's apparently dubious liturgical practices. It's a commentary on church closures. We can discuss the liturgical and theological problems in the comment box if you want.)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The twelve final words on the back of St. Peter Catholic Church's Easter Sunday program said it most plainly.

A timeline spanning 156 years ended this way: "Parish suppressed and church building closed April 2010 by Bishop Richard Lennon."(I don't know the political situation in Cleveland, but I have a suspicion that the bishop does not bear as much blame as one, say, in Rochester, New York.)

But before the Rev. Robert Marrone kicked out the wooden blocks and locked the massive arched doors -- that had remained open to worshipers from all walks of life since 1859 -- he served up a forceful sermon.

His words were the last orated in the church thanks to an agreement with the Cleveland diocese to cancel a final Mass set for next week at which Lennon was to desanctify the church.(All that's really needed to desanctify a church is a lay preacher in an alb, incompetent altar servers, and whordes of "extraordinary" ministers of Holy Communion.)

Marrone took aim at two audiences.

To church leaders, he warned that the closing of the downtown church and suppression of the parish would come to be seen as, "one of the most egregious mistakes ever made by this diocese."(Sound familiar?)

He summoned history itself to make his point recalling early church leaders traveling on horseback, begging for money to build. All the pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners and rummage sales manned by parishioners to keep the church alive, afloat, during rough times. Members who carted in wheel barrels of concrete to pave a new floor on one of the hottest days of 1989 and, a few years later, the parishioner who carved their beloved altar in the courtyard.

And the last battle fought and won to restore the historic towers and edifice in the face of a city dwindling around it, just five years ago. Marrone said the decision would come not only to symbolize the abandoning of what he called the most historic church in the city and the dispersing its vital congregations but also "tragic and even sometimes sinful decisions" by church leaders -- leaders who were leaving the promises of Vatican II unfulfilled and leading instead with fear.(Again, I'm not sure how one should take this statement, due to our removal from Cleveland. I tend to doubt they're in the same "reform of the reform" mindframe we are, but who knows?)

The closing of St. Peter - a part of what he called the church closing epidemic - was not because of economics, or lack of clergy or parishioners, Marrone said.

Instead it was a "steadfast refusal and or inability to imagine things in a different way."(Again - sound familiar?)
To Marrone's flock, whom he sits among (uh oh) -- not above (God forbid the priest actually "presides")-- during Mass, the priest urged that they extricate themselves from their connection to the building where they worshipped.

As the hundreds there to celebrate their belief that Jesus Christ rose to give them new life, dabbed their eyes or sobbed as if they were attending a funeral for a beloved friend, Morrone prodded them forward.

"This community has always respected and honored its past but it has steadfastly refused to live in it," he said.

He said they would leave the white-washed walls and brilliant stained glass windows, "as an empty tomb" which, going forward, will represent only the "incredible lack of faith, hope and love in our church."(I'm not entirely certain who's to blame, specifically, for this parish closing. Maybe their bishop, maybe some council that "suggests" things to him. Details would be nice if anyone has any.)
But he urged the diverse (oh?) group of church members, some who drive in from suburbs, some who walk from nearby shelters, to refuse to play it safe and keep their mouths shut. Rather, he said, they should be brave like Jesus' disciples.(Kind of like those kooks who drive into the heart of downtown Rochester to Our Lady of Victory or St. Stanislaus - nut jobs, all of them.)

And he cautioned them not to "mistakenly confuse blind obedience with faithfulness" and "allow more churches to become tombs to the living dead." Marrone warned that the collective silence of church faithful in the face of church officials' actions could make them equally culpable. (Whether this man is liberal or conservative, this ought to ring true to many of us.)
"The power of fear which has caused this injustice is not the last word, must not be the last word and will not be the last word," Marrone said.
"I know it seems unbearable but we can bear it. Go forth into the world and be living stones," Marrone said. "God will tent with us wherever he go."
And with that, the parishioners took with them, their light -- symbolized by thin white candles -- and left the church in a procession which took them sobbing into the street.
As they gathered in the sunshine, many parishioners vowed to move forward, each heading their beloved priest's advice in their own ways.
The Wienceks, a family of five that drives in from Medina County, didn't know where they would end up. Tom and Anka Wiencek have been members of St. Peter for 20 years.
"I'm thinking that many people will support the new community," Tom Wiencek said, referring to the non-profit Community of St. Peter to be housed in a building on Euclid Avenue.
He hoped it might even become a model.
"The people will become the stones," said Brenda Pestak, who met her husband at St. Peter on Good Friday in 1981, a day he carried the cross into the church.
"This is not the end," she said. "This is the beginning."
An end with one last message left inside the "tomb" for the man leading the charge to close more than 50 churches in the eight-county diocese.
At the foot of the altar, in a plastic baggie, coins glimmered and a note read: "A gift for Bishop Lennon. 30 pieces of silver for the one who has betrayed us."

 The question of whether this parish is a loyal one or a dissenting one is not relevant, at least for the point I'm trying to make. We cannot be silent when our churches are closed or threatened with closure. To be silent is to be complicit in the stripping of Christ before His crucifixion, just as we watch our altars stripped one last time, the relics removed from their resting place.

Not all of the closings here in Rochester are the fault of Bishop Clark. Many are, legitimately, due to shifting demographics. However, for the few parishes that are being targeted, such as St. Thomas, there is such blatant political maneuvering as to be sacrilegious. When we are presented with true injustice, we must be vocal and cry out, addressing the problem. Yes, pray, but pray and act together. Let your efforts to save your parishes be a perpetual prayer to God. Words are clumsy instruments contrived by humanity - actions are mirrors of divinity. Words are necessary, but so too are actions. Do not abandon yourselves to despair, but take heart. Any parish that has been closed, be it liberal, indifferent, or solid, has gone through unimaginable sufferings. To sit back and twiddle your thumbs is to be a living example of a Christian who has lost his sense of charity.

 

Vibrant Worship Communities

I think we all know the liberal buzz-words for "strong parishes," words like "diverse," "vibrant," "inclusive," etc. Well, I have never seen true diversity at a liberal parish. Never. Sure, it looks diverse, but all we're really seeing is a group of hippies experiencing gender and race confusion.

However, if we take a look at the truly Catholic parishes, those overtly loyal to Rome, we see a different trend emerging, something called "genuine diversity," tempered with tangible strength. These parishes, St. Thomas the Apostle, Holy Spirit, Our Lady of Victory, St. Stanislaus/Latin Mass Community, attract vast amounts of people from different walks of life. While churches like Assumption may have thousands of people, how many have the devotion of those in the pews at OLV or STA? Not many, I am sad to say. The people at those wayward parishes have not been catechized properly - those at STA, for example, have.

So what does a vibrant worship community look like? Take a look at these photos from St. Thomas the Apostle this Good Friday:

This church is definitely not a dying community. To target a parish who can attract such large numbers, even for a cluster-celebration, is to have a very short-sighted notion of diocesan needs. If we're going to end up with a handful of super-churches, wouldn't it be wise to save the biggest church buildings? But no - we're saving the ones that are near and dear to the hearts of a handful of dottering old liberals.

Pray for the people of St. Thomas the Apostle, parishioners who are legitimately vibrant, legitimately diverse, and legitimately Catholic.

Massive Trust Fund to go to St. Thomas the Apostle

For most people, "God will provide" is a pleasant platitude hurled forth from lay-occupied pulpits. However, for the people of St. Thomas the Apostle church in Irondequoit, it is an absolute truth. I have received a few emails (all within a couple hours of each other) brimming with the joyous news. I post the email below in its entirety - my commentary added.

 

1.    Fr. Tanck stated that  STA has been contacted by attorneys representing a large trust fund in New Jersey. Fr Tanck has been informed that STA will be one of the recipients of a large amount of money from the trust fund.  Apparently, the family of this trust attended STA in the 1950s.  They had two handicapped children that attended STA school.  Both children have now passed away and the trust is being dissolved.  From what I understood of Fr. Tanck's comments, STA parish will receive $100,000 to $200,000 (closer to $200,000) from the trust!  The attorneys were inquiring whether in fact STA parish was an existing entity!  The bishop, the presbyter council, stewardship council, and the entire parish should be made aware of this new development asap.  These funds would clearly put STA in the strongest financial position of all Irondequoit parishes and should be considered by the bishop. (If St. Thomas the Apostle does, in fact, receive this money, how could anyone in their right mind consider closing the parish? To give this money, along with the Msgr. Burns fund, to the "new parish" to be created upon the closuer of STA, would be absolutely corrupt. To rob the people of STA of this $700,000 is to show an agenda, not an unfortunate series of events.)

2.  I was able to see a copy of the IPPG financial report presented by _______ to the IPPG.  It was shocking to see that $1.7 million dollars has been slated for upgrades to the three surviving parish campuses.  Listed in the report is $500,000 for expansion of the CTK parking lot, $200,000 for the expansion of the SC parking lot, $50,000 for the removal of the SC rectory.  (Why spend millions of dollars to add/change the campuses of other parishes, especially when St. Thomas already has ample parking, facilities, and income?) Also listed were funds for a new parish meeting center at SMM since they have no meeting space! The total expenditures for these three campuses amounted to over $1.7 million!   _______ sent the report to the Bishop but is interested in getting it to the presbyter council members too.  I don't believe that this information was ever shared by the IPPG.  I don't see the finance committee report published on the IPPG website. (It's because they don't like seeing their plans threatened, in my humble opinion. Either this or they don't have enough time to divulge the truth.)

3. Fr. Tanck stated that the bishop has called an "emergency" joint meeting of the presbyter and stewardship councils for March 15th. He does not know what the meeting is about but he did say it is very unusual to have such a meeting. He went on to say that it would not be about Irondequoit although he readily admitted he had no idea what the meeting was about. He promised to share the agenda with J__ once he receives it. This may mean that the decision about STA could be pushed off to the April meeting of the presbyter council. In any case, this is an interesting development.....does it have something to do with item #1? (I would bet money on it.)

4. Fr. Tanck stated that he recently attended a meeting with the bishop whereby it was announced that new by-laws for parish corporations have been developed by the DOR.  Fr. Tanck promised J__that he would share the new by-laws document with her via electronic file.  He really didn't share with the council what the changes were in the new by-laws but it would be interesting to see what is going on here and how it may relate to STA's situation. (One hopes these new by-laws actually serve to help parishes, not make it easier to strip them of finances for the sake of other parishes.)

Can you imagine the implications of a new $200,000 for this parish? It certainly puts a crimp in the plans of the IPPG.

If Treachery Were a Virtue . . .

. . . the IPPG and its members would be truly blessed.

The following was sent to us by a loyal parishioner at St. Thomas the Apostle.

So the three major requirements for the parishes that will remain open are location, space for programs, and condition of the facilities. This fellow takes these criteria and aims his shotgun of callousness at the parishes of St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Salome (surprise surprise). He declares, "St. Thomas is comparatively a bit out of the way." Well, yes, it is. If you're a St. Cecilia parishioner it is. If you are actually attending St. Thomas the Apostle (STA) then the parish is not out of the way. This logic is so deeply flawed I barely know how to approach it. The recommendation to close a parish shouldn't be made by people outside of the parish, especially is these outside people have no personal experience with the parish.

Also, note how strategically located STA is: it is on a major bus route from the heart of Rochester out to Irondequoit and beyond - perfect for people fleeing the failing parishes of the inner-city. It is going to be within a very short distance of a new housing development that will house hundreds of new families. This development, "Lighthouse Point" or some such, will practically be in St. Thomas' back yard, providing a definite influx of new parishioners. If this fellow in the proposal gets his way, ALL of the parishes he wishes to keep open will be "comparatively a bit out of the way" for these new residents.

Secondly, this man fails to consider the enormous debt of St. Cecilia's. (It's huge, Rochester. Huge.) He leaves this parish open due to some filial devotion to it (as anyone would), but he does this at the expense of hundreds of others who are at STA and St. Salome. Of all the parishes in this area, STA and St. Salome are the ones with the least financial stress - it's called "not having any debt." That's a good thing, in my experience. However, St. Cecilia is in debt, and is so to exponential degrees. The parish still owes several thousand to Partners in Faith (remember that initiative from yester-year?) and also owes money to the CMA, Catholic schools, and from what I have read, $400,000 on their social hall. If I am wrong here, someone please leave a comment. So, at the very least, I would say that St. Cecilia is around $500,000 in debt. (And this is a generous estimate. It is probably closer to $800,000.) This is before the "consolidation." Also, St. Cecilia is a parish which, as much as it pains me to say, is dying a natural death, devoid of diocesan politicking and backstabbing. Fr. Leone is presented with a parish with vastly more funerals than baptisms, whose parishioners are dying off and not being replaced. The parish is in debt "that can never realistically be paid off."

St. Margaret Mary is also having similar problems - parishioners have simply disappeared. Perhaps this has something to do with the duration of time Mrs. DeRycke spent there? The few occaisions I have talked with Irondequoit Catholics, they strike me as the kind of people who would have an allergic reaction to a feminist in a white alb.

Also, the money that would be required to turn St. Cecilia into a "viable" worship site for the entire "St. Irondequoit" parish is vastly more than what would be on hand. Why close parishes who are not in debt, who are actually "turning a profit" as it were. This makes no sense. Closing these two parishes will leave a massive section of Irondequoit without a Catholic presence. No matter what programs are run to bring Catholics back to church, the testimonial against coming back would be the unrivaled self-serving of the IPPG. I know if I were a lapsed Catholic, and I saw what is going on, I would just go to the Baptists who have expanded the Northridge Church of whatever they call it. I don't commit Protestant shenanigans to memory. These people have seen a 300% increase in attendance while Catholic parishes in the area are seeing massive amounts of decline.

Behold the glory of Bishop Clark's Rochester.

St. Irondequoit

I had the privilege to speak with several members of St. Thomas the Apostle recently, and among the innumerable bits of stupidity concerning the IPPG, the diocesan norms, clusterings, etc. was this little morsel. I'm sure it's on the Irondequoit Catholic website somewhere, but I hadn't been aware until I was told by these parishioners that the IPPG refers to the eventual "parish" as "St. Irondequoit."

Naturally, this isn't some massive infraction of Canon Law or any such thing. It's not a matter of right or wrong. It's a matter of insensitivity and, well, stupidity.

Why is is a matter of stupidity?

Because everyone knows that Irondequoit is merely a "Blessed" while Webster is a "Saint." Keep your canonized suburbs straight, IPPG. We're still waiting on one more miracle in Irondequoit until it can become "St." Irondequoit. (Sarcasm off)

In other things St. Thomas, I thought that I should mention that the grave of Monsignor Burns, the founding priest of the current church, has become a focus for local prayer and pilgrimage. I stopped by the tomb a few days prior to this post, and counted dozens of crosses like you would see on the side of the road, marking the spot of a loved one's death. These simple crosses bear phrases such as, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us," and "Msgr. Burns, intercede for STA." There are rosaries draped on the arms of these crosses, small flower arrangements, and many other signs of devotion as well.

I ask you, IPPG and certain of you who have the audacity to call these people "angry" and "vindictive," is humble prayer a sign of vengeful dealing and cold-hearted Christianity? Is it proof that the people of St. Thomas are the conniving, vindictive Catholics that you think they are? I think not. 

The people of St. Thomas deserve better than what they have received. When parishioners spoke out to Fr. Tanck because they didn't feel loved or cared for, the response was closing the confessionals. What sick form of pastoral care is that, to deprive the faithful of the sacraments? Sure, maybe something came up. Maybe someone was dying somewhere and Fr. Tanck had to rush off. I don't know. All I do know is that no provision was made for the faithful to receive the sacrament of Confession. In the words of a friend, "Oh, yes, that's something the Curé of Ars would have done. He'd shut down the confessionals to show the people how pastoral he was. Oh, wait, that's flawed logic, isn't it?"

Although I am not privy to every single detail regarding this matter, I do know for a fact that the people of St. Thomas and St. Salome have been treated unfairly. These two Irondequoit churches, the only two without debt, are the ones that have been recommended for closure. The people have been vilified and stereotyped as disgruntled traditionalists who hate the bishop. I can assure you that I have never met warmer or more charitable people in my life than I have on my visits to St. Thomas the Apostle. To let the actions of one or two individuals create a false image of a parish, one that is used against these people who mean so well, is to permit Our Lord's side to be pierced one more time. When you attack a parish, when you recommend its closure for no reason other than "it's best for the people," you attack a part of the mystical body of Our Lord.

When we lose a parish, not only are our hearts pierced, but also the heart of He who died for us.

The Cowardly Who Afflict Us

In my humble opinion, an opinion which, I am certain, most of you share, the perpetrators of this crime against St. Thomas the Apostle are simply acting like cowards. I say this with utmost charity, for we all know that many who are labeled "cowardly" have earned places in our hearts, i.e. "The Cowardly Lion" from the Wizard of Oz, and "Henry Fleming" of Red Badge of Courage fame.

However, what does it take, dear friends, to propose an action which is unwise (blatantly so), and causes so much resentment for a people already hurt by a forced clustering? It takes the mind of a traitor and a coward. I am not putting this against any person in particular - rather, I direct it more towards the pervasive attitude of "fear of Tradition" which can be seen in the members of the administration, the IPPG, the diocese, etc . . . We love the sinner, but we must cut out the sin, with any instruments necessary.

"Brave men do not gather by thousands to torture and murder a single individual, so gagged and bound he cannot make even feeble resistance or defense." Ida B. Wells made this comment, and it has never rung so true as it does for the situation at St. Thomas the Apostle. The parish and her parishioners are beset by the wolves of Progressivism, and yet most people stand by with their hands in their pockets saying "if only, if only." Take action or stop complaining. 


Fortunately, the people of St. Thomas are taking action, beating off the wolves which encompass them. I have received a flurry of emails from different groups at St. Thomas, each offering their particular insights into the matter, supplying me with various items to share with you. Please, continue sending me things which you want to communicate to the wider population of the Diocese of Rochester. Trust me, your words here do not go unnoticed by those in charge. 


This being said, I would like to direct your attention to the image below. Please send this to whomever may be able to help. 

I can confidently tell you the following regarding what actions will be taken:

• There will be a new, separate blog for all things St. Thomas. 
• Information, as seen in the photo, will be sent to heads of religious orders nationwide. Feel free to help this effort. 
• Newsletters will be sent to those in the thick of the fight. 
• Appeals will be made to anyone who will hear them. 
• There will be a greater push towards Eucharistic Adoration at the St. Thomas chapel.

The people of Irondequoit are beset by the woes of a failing part of the body, Church universal. Just as a limb withers and decays when its circulation is cut off, so too do those dioceses who turn their back on Tradition and the Truths contained therein. It does not matter whether or not the people outwardly want it. Most don't. However, they inwardly need it. Just because something's not fun and hands-on doesn't mean it's un-Godly. Indeed, those things which are sacred are not common. They should not be tossed around, physically or metaphorically, for the amusement of the populace. 

The people at St. Thomas know and appreciate this. They treat the Mass with all due reverence, and do not turn it into some kind of freak show, openly profaning all things sacred. The communion rail itself testifies to this reality. It is the delineation between sacred and profane, between the Holy of Holies and the throng of adoring faithful. God commanded Moses to remove his sandals, for he was on holy ground. The ground was holy because God Himself was there. If we believe God Himself us truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, does it not make sense to point to this realization by using the communion rail?

Update on St. Francis Xavier

. . . the church, not the saint.

It appears that the sale of St. Francis Xavier to the Muslims is still in the works and nearing the final stages of completion. According to my sources, the Diocese of Rochester wants no news report on this matter until the deal is signed, sealed and delivered.

Cleansing Fire will continue to investigate this rumor.

Think of the Children . . .

. . . unless the girls are wearing plaid and the boys are helping them hand out information on Catholic schools.

The following is from a devoted reader:

I too was at the 11:00 mass where Fr. Tanck made the "drive-by announcement." Many of us knew about the decision and announcement in advance. I didn't see anyone that was surprised. What irritated me was that this is Catholic Schools Week, and some parents had arranged activities for it. There were children in their school uniforms, waiting to hand out literature and talk to prospective students and their parents about the gift of a Catholic education. At the offertory, the gifts were brought up by Catholic school children in uniform. Was there a mention about that from the pulpit? Absolutely not! (How pathetic is that, dear readers?) So whoever decided on the timing of this announcement managed to strike us in two ways -- discouraging Catholic education and sticking it to the good people of STA.

Many STA parishioners are filled with joy that we are being persecuted. ( ⁷ The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. ⁸ So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.) It's a perfect suffering that I believe will help the people of the Rochester diocese receive the graces we need to be ready for rebuilding the Church some 894 days from now.

It is a noble statement of the faith for St. Thomas, a church whose own school was needlessly shut down, to still take such enjoyment of organizing things for Catholic Schools Week. It is exponentially less noble, dare I say evil, to compound the evil of their losing their school with their losing of their parish? It's as if the administration said, "Okay, we'll announce it on the weekend when people will be sad thinking about the closing of their parish school - two birds, one stone." I certainly hope that it wasn't this overt, but it makes one wonder.

This reader brings up a valuable point, one from which we can all profit: "Many STA parishioners are filled with joy that we are being persecuted." Everything happens for a reason - this is no exception. I have often thought of this, seeing the vast numbers of refugees from St. Anne, Our Lady of Lourdes, and other similar parishes, suddenly showing up at Our Lady of Victory. If we were to be discouraged from the faith (as many doubtless are) because of the ineptitude of our diocesan programs and administraitors (TM), we would be falling into the wiles of the devil. He uses things such as this to divide His Creator's Church, and to swallow whole its children.

If you are a parishioner at St. Salome or St. Thomas the Apostle, you must do two things - first off, put up a defense. Don't roll over. If you put up a strong front of anger (just as Our Lord did in the Temple) the pharisees of our diocese will take ear. They may still force you to go through indescribable woe, but they will know of the magnitude of their wrong-doings. Secondly - when you decide to leave St. Thomas, possibly at the doing of the IPPG and His Excellency, you must find a worthy home. If your goals are to stay in that area of the diocese, the two most immediate choices (outside the cluster) would be Holy Spirit and St. Stanislaus. If your goals are to find like-minded exiles, go to Our Lady of Victory. If your goals are to keep the other solid parishes in the cluster from closing (i.e. St. Cecilia's) go there. Do not support heterodoxy and dissent.

And remember that the pain you feel is felt by many in the Diocese of Rochester. Perhaps you gave your heart to your parish. It worthily received it. However, its leaders, being less-than-perfect (as we all are) became ill-suited to be guardians of your joy. Now they are the begetters of your pain and suffering. As the reader noted, take your joy, your heart, and couple it with your suffering and persecution that you may know Christ and learn to lovingly embrace the Cross. There will be splinters from the implement of death, but to revel in the pain is to revel in the glorious mysteries of our faith. For He who was dead is now risen. He was was pierced and beaten is now whole and absolute in his majesty. Take up your cross and follow Christ, if you would His disciple be.

Behold Treachery

A rather blunt announcement has been made regarding the Irondequoit parishes. The following is from the St. Margaret Mary bulletin:

Please note, this isn't the official "recommendation." It's basically the cluster's way of saying what they've decided without actually saying they've decided. I'm getting awfully sick of these games these people are playing. It's shameful what they're trying to pull.

When will the diocese wake up and see that this kind of forced clustering doesn't work. It destroys parishes with great potential and strength while showing an absolute favoritism towards the more left-leaning churches. First Our Lady of Lourdes "took over" St. Anne. Now Christ the King has bullied St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Salome into subjugation. How can people still cling to the naive presumption that everyone will just smile and say "okey dokey" and go to a parish which was actively trying to close their original one? I can guarantee that if St. Anne closes, there will not be a massive influx of people into the Lourdes community. Our Lady of Victory and Latin Mass, yes. Dens of liberalism and error, no.

People of St. Thomas and St. Salome - please email me with anything you'd like to have posted. The address is cleansingfire@live.com. This is your chance to speak out. And I think we all know that Cleansing Fire has more credibility than the IPPG does.

Moved by Grace

The beautiful St. Gerard's Church in Buffalo will be dismantled and moved down south to Norcross, Georgia. Courtesy of the New Liturgical Movement website, I found this website about the move.

Let's pray that as our churches closes in the DoR, that a Catholic Church needing a new church will factor beauty into their decision and not just utility. That is what the current pastor in Georgia wanted "something beautiful." St. Gerard is a miniature replica of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. St. Gerard's is built in the Renaissance Revivial style of the Roman basilica

http://www.movedbygrace.com/

And, if you like church architecture, here is a link to other churches (Catholic and non-Catholic) in Buffalo.
http://www.buffaloah.com/a/bamch.html

At its height, the city of Buffalo was about 80% Catholic and Rochester was a little less than half of that. We do have some gems in Rochester but, seriously folks, if you want to see some magnificent churches, go to Buffalo.

More pictures of SSPP

One good piece of news is that the Egyptian Coptics want to put back the full altar rail. Why? To delineate the sacred from the secular. Seems to me, we as Catholics did this once upon a time. Has anyone notice how few changes any of the Eastern Catholic churches made after the Second Vatican Council.