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 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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nod of the Miter, Smack of the Crozier

I've been a fan of Stephen Colbert for a while and, while he may not be the most conservative voice out there, he always defends the unborn, the Church, and the right to life. His shows often have a segment called "Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger," in which he approves or disapproves of an official, an event, a political party etc . . .

Well, I got to thinking, if he can do it, why can't we? So, thus is born a weekly article called "Nod of the Miter, Smack of the Crozier." Obviously, a nod of the miter is a good and favorable thing. A smack of the crozier is most decidedly not.

______________________

Today finds Cleansing Fire giving out a Nod of the Miter to . . .

the priests of the Irondequoit Cluster.

These men have a lot of work cut out for them, so we must acknowledge their efforts thus far, and pray for their continued health of mind and body. A heart-felt "thank you" goes out to Frs. William Leone, Timothy Horan, Norm Tanck, Joseph Trovato and Richard Beligotti.

However, we also are giving out a Smack of the Crozier to . . .

Ray Grosswirth. What's happened to the steady stream of entertaining videos? We in the Catholic community (Catholic, as in, "not schismatically Protestant") rely on his videos as one relies on a flu vaccination. We need a little bit of exposure to disease to enable us to more readily fight it off. I can feel a little tickle in my throat already. Cough.