Franciscans leaving Cleveland's Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus after century of service

[markomalley]

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

After 105 years of service, the Franciscan order of priests is leaving the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus, a historically Polish parish in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood.
“Our numbers are diminishing and we’re aging,” said the Rev. Michael Surufka, 53, pastor of the parish for the last nine years. “The bottom line is we just don’t have the men.”
The Assumption Province of the Franciscan order, based in Wisconsin, is transferring Surufka to Chicago where he will serve as a director of vocations, recruiting men to the priesthood.
Four friars – three priests and a brother – will continue running St. Stanislaus until July, at which time the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland will take over.

 

[Brendan]

I hope the church remains open the diocese is able to staff the parish.

That parish is near a large customer of ours. When I was covering our Cleveland accounts, I would allow some extra time either before or after any meetings to pray in that church.

It’s beautiful

I am no longer involved with visiting customers, so I haven’t been there in almost a year. But I do miss it.

( Along with the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in Cary OH, I’d make time to stop off there on my visits to Columbus )

 

[jwinch2]

What is the demographic of the parish from an economic standpoint? There have been multiple discussions on here from Brother JR and others about how Franciscans are getting back to their roots a bit in serving the poor. If that parish used to be in a poor area and now is more middle class, that could be a contributing factor as well.

Just a thought…

Peace,

 

[Dale_M]

f that parish used to be in a poor area and now is more middle class, that could be a contributing factor as well.

Possibly, but perhaps a shortage of priests is the deciding factor.

This is what the article in the first post said:

“Our numbers are diminishing and we’re aging,” said the Rev. Michael Surufka, 53, pastor of the parish for the last nine years. “The bottom line is we just don’t have the men.”

Its a pretty church, though. Here is a 360 degree view of the interior:
webgraphicsengineering.com/StStanislaus/

(caution: music will automatically play)

 

[Brendan]

What is the demographic of the parish from an economic standpoint? There have been multiple discussions on here from Brother JR and others about how Franciscans are getting back to their roots a bit in serving the poor. If that parish used to be in a poor area and now is more middle class, that could be a contributing factor as well.

Just a thought…

Peace,

I don’t know about the specific demographics about the people who attend Mass there regualarly, but it is in an area that I would not call middle class.