BishopAccountability.org
	Parish Won't Surrender By Derek Gentile Berkshire Eagle June 20, 2008 http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_9644754?IADID=Search-www.berkshireeagle.com-www.berkshireeagle.com PITTSFIELD — Although the decision to close six city churches in the next few weeks appears inexorable, a small group of parishioners at one of the churches facing deletion says it still is brainstorming ways to avoid that finale. "I don't know if we can stop this," conceded Gerard Miller of Velma Avenue, a member of St. Teresa's Church. "It's a very uphill battle." Miller is one of a seven-member Parish Closing Committee that has been lobbying the Diocese of Springfield to keep its 1,000-member church. Earlier this year, the diocese announced the closing of six of the city's 10 churches by July 6. Besides St. Teresa's, they are All Souls' Mission, Holy Family, Mount Carmel, St. Francis' and St. Mary's. All Souls' Mission shut its doors this past weekend, and the other five churches are scheduled to close in the next few weeks. St. Teresa's last Mass will be tomorrow. The committee is pondering, for example, petitioning the diocese to allow a deacon or lay person to celebrate Mass at the church. The current pastor, the Rev. Mark Mengel, already has been reassigned to Holy Name Church in Springfield. "It's something that, if the diocese was receptive, we would consider," said Walter Doerle of Gamwell Avenue, another committee member. Doerle emphasized that he was speaking for himself, and that the entire parish would have to agree to something like that. The other option, said Miller, is to lobby for a five-church, five-priest model that was one of the options put forward by the diocese. The administration of the diocese eventually decided on a four-church, five-priest model. Several committee members said they believe that the planned four-church model has the potential to generate overcrowding, particularly at St. Joseph's Church on North Street. The diocese has countered that the overcrowding issue can be addressed by adding more Masses. Doerle added that his group also has been trying to point out to the diocese that four churches in Pittsfield will not allow for future growth. "It seems counterproductive to close six churches and then a few years later have to build a new one if there is significant growth," he said. "I'm hoping that when these closings happen, the diocese will see that they've gone too far," Miller said. "And they will think about reopening one of the closed churches. And the one they choose would be St. Teresa's." But Miller said the principal frustration is that Springfield Bishop Timothy McDonnell has declined to meet with them. Although the diocese has answered all their letters, this extended postal dialogue has gone on so long that the committee is running out of time, he said. "I'm disappointed by that," he said. Mark Dupont, a spokesman for the diocese, said the bishop twice sent letters to the group in an attempt to address its concerns. Monsignor John J. Bonzagni, the director of pastoral planning, also sent the group a letter and offered to meet to discuss its concerns. In addition, said Doerle, there was a 30-day period where the committee — or anyone — could have appealed the closings. But that expired March 8, 30 days after the Feb. 8 announcement. "We were not made aware of (the appeals process), and I think the diocese had an obligation to give us that information," he said. Another committee member, Ann Dunham of Spadina Parkway, said that, at the suggestion of the diocese, she has been visiting the city churches that will remain open. She said she was not yet comfortable at any of them. "I think I'm going to be a pilgrim all summer long," she said, meaning she would be going from church to church. "Maybe a pilgrim indefinitely." "You won't be the only one," said Miller. "Me, too, maybe."
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