48 Detroit parishes may close, including famed Assumption Grotto [CWN]
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Scoobyshme
Guest
Demographics, as well as a lack of good catechesis, causes changes in many dioceses. The statistics in this country show that about 75% of those claiming to be Catholic don’t even attend Mass on Sunday’s or Holy Days of Obligation. And, many suburbs have been “hollowed out” by closing of companies and the resulting loss of jobs, etc. So, you end up with huge churches that aren’t being financially supported enough to keep them open. Lights, heating/cooling, insurance, etc., all have to be paid for. If they can’t, then something must be done. Sadly, the easy solution is for the 75% to return to Mass and the Sacraments and start contributing. But I doubt that will happen unless there is some sort of crisis in their lives.
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abirdrrl
Guest
It really has more to do with the fact that so many priests are either past the retirement age or will be retiring soon. A lot of the closures and mergers may not seem necessary now, but it’s clear that they are doing some realistic planning for the future.
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lizaanne
Guest
This is absolutely NOT the case at my parish, which is on the list. It is a very vibrant, faithful, Traditional parish. Holy Days of obligation are full, we have Confession before every Mass for at least a half hour with multiple priests and every one of them has a line of people waiting. Every single opportunity.
You can read more about our amazing parish here - please please please pray that our parish is not actually impacted by these “recommendations”.
te-deum.blogspot.com/2011/12/parish-re-alignments-in-detroit-what.html
~Liza
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lizaanne
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jam070406
Guest
I went to a low Mass on a Friday night at Assumption Grotto and it was a big crowd!
I am dumbfounded.
My mom went to school there as a child. I called her in Arizona and told her and she couldn’t believe that they would suggest closing that beautiful historic Church.
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Ridgerunner
Guest
My son, then one of my daughters went to law school in Ann Arbor. They went to Assumption Grotto all the time, and I went with them when I paid visits to them. It was always well-attended, notwithstanding the awful neighborhood. Incredible choir. Confession lines before Mass were long. Incredible liturgy. And then, after Mass, they always seemed to have a social event there, though i never went to one, not knowing any of the parishioners. Sometimes people complain about young Catholic singles not being able to meet other young Catholic singles. That sure didn’t seem to be the situation at Assumption Grotto. My son, in particular, met a lot of Catholic young women there.I went to a low Mass on a Friday night at Assumption Grotto and it was a big crowd!
I am dumbfounded.
My mom went to school there as a child. I called her in Arizona and told her and she couldn’t believe that they would suggest closing that beautiful historic Church.
I am just astonished that it’s on the “close” list.
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Dale_M
Guest
I am not sure that is such an easy solution to achieve. But even if more Catholics attended Mass and financially supported their parishes, the declining number of priests would still force some closures. The Archdiocese of Detroit currently has 293 priests working in 270 parishes. However, it is expected that the diocese will lose one-third of those priests during the next 10 years.
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PaulinVA
Guest
"Assumption Grotto must also develop in the first quarter of 2012 a realistic financial plan that addresses how the parish will pay outstanding debt.”
This lack of help on the part of the chancery is sometimes frustrating.
They can open and close parishes, but once that decision is made, the pastor and the parishioners are responsible for the consequences, many times with no help’ from the Bishop.
This is just such an example - we are going to close or merge you (putting your future in doubt and alienating parishioners) but we expect you to pick up your game and address paying off your debt. Gee, thanks for setting them up to fail!
This lack of help on the part of the chancery is sometimes frustrating.
They can open and close parishes, but once that decision is made, the pastor and the parishioners are responsible for the consequences, many times with no help’ from the Bishop.
This is just such an example - we are going to close or merge you (putting your future in doubt and alienating parishioners) but we expect you to pick up your game and address paying off your debt. Gee, thanks for setting them up to fail!
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ringil
Guest
That sucks Lizaanne,
I hope your parish stays open. Too many parishes in the cities are being close.
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lizaanne
Guest
Well - our pastor had his own comments about it this weekend and I think he has the right attitude: assumptiongrotto.com/pastor.htm (please make sure you are reading the “Pastor’s Descant” for 12/04/11.
We are so truly blessed with good priests at our parish, please keep them (and all priests) in your prayers.
~Liza
We are so truly blessed with good priests at our parish, please keep them (and all priests) in your prayers.
~Liza
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