Big shakeup for Catholic churches in Alpena, MI (Newspaper Headline)

[spedteacherita]

Wasn’t sure where to put this - so if it’s not in the right place please move it.

This article was our front page news for Alpena, MI.

I’m not posting for any particular reason except it being of interest, perhaps, to my Catholic friends on here. This community was built with different ethnic Catholic communities and we have 4 different parishes in this small community.

thealpenanews.com/page/category.detail/nav/5004/Local-News.html

 

[Mr_Clean]

I’m in the same diocese and expect to see more of this. Lots of little country churches with low head counts out there.

 

[Tomdstone]

Wasn’t sure where to put this - so if it’s not in the right place please move it.

This article was our front page news for Alpena, MI.

I’m not posting for any particular reason except it being of interest, perhaps, to my Catholic friends on here. This community was built with different ethnic Catholic communities and we have 4 different parishes in this small community.

thealpenanews.com/page/category.detail/nav/5004/Local-News.html

Four parishes merge to form one. Sounds like a problem with financing.

 

[spedteacherita]

Four parishes merge to form one. Sounds like a problem with financing.

Yeah, that’s what the article mentioned. Sad to see them have to do this but when you’re down to 2 priests trying to sustain 4 parishes that is very hard. All of the churches are beautiful.

I cannot imagine what I would feel like having to merge my church within another one…tough haul but I’m sure those members will get it settled soon.

 

[spedteacherita]

I’m in the same diocese and expect to see more of this. Lots of little country churches with low head counts out there.

I would think the country churches would be even harder to do considering the distance one might have to travel to attend at another building.

We’ll have to keep these parishes, people and those in charge of financing as they develop and implement the changes.

 

[ProVobis]

Here’s one without needing a subscription.

truenorthradionetwork.com/index.php/2015/03/17/catholic-parishes-of-alpena-to-merge-into-one/

The Catholic Community of Alpena has decided to merge four parishes into one.

St. Anne Church will become home to the only catholic parish in Alpena beginning the weekend of May 23 and 24.

St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist, and St. Mary will not close their doors but will only be used on a limited basis for things such as funerals, weddings, special events and feast day celebrations. The parish offices will also be moved St. Anne’s but the educational and charitable works of the parish, such as All Saints Catholic School and the Friendship Room will continue to operate in their current locations.

The Catholic Community said that a declining population, financial concerns and a shortage of priests all weighed on its decision to merge services, “But most importantly, we believe as one united parish, we can minister more effectively, be better stewards of the resources entrusted to us and create a stronger faith community.”

Candace Neff from the Catholic Diocese of Gaylord told True North Radio that a similar consolidation occurred in Manistee in January 2014.

The Catholic Community of Alpena has served the community for over 150 years.

 

[Mr_Clean]

I would think the country churches would be even harder to do considering the distance one might have to travel to attend at another building.

We’ll have to keep these parishes, people and those in charge of financing as they develop and implement the changes.

I go to St Thomas in Elmira and sometimes there is no choir/organist or they are coming from another parish nearby and are late. A lot of times there’s barely enough to take up a third of the pews. Same here they have 2 priests running Mass at 3-4 parishes with daily Mass and an EF on Sunday at Gaylord. With all the other stuff they do I won’t be surprised if more consolidation happens soon.