Posted on 04/23/2013 9:05:31 AM PDT by Morgana
MELROSE PARK, IL, April 22, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) - This afternoon the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo, Scalabrinian and Stone Park community residents held a press conference to celebrate the victory in preventing the strip club “Get It” from opening next to the convent.
This group, along with P.A.S.O.- West Suburban Action Project, organized a grassroots campaign that resulted in a 500-people vigil in Stone Park, (the largest public demonstration in the town’s history) as well as over 3,000 signed petitions against the strip club and international, national and local media attention. The community sent a resounding message: “Get It, Get out!” Karen Callaway/Catholic New World
“We came together as a community, as people of faith and stood together fighting for family values against what some thought was an unbreakable giant,” said Sister Noemia Silva, Missionary Sister of St. Charles, who chaired the press conference. “But just as David fought and triumphed over Goliath, we too stand here today proud of overcoming the impossible. We will continue to stand for a safe and healthy Stone Park that respects family values and the integrity of each person."
Pat Zito, resident of Melrose Park for 45 years, stated, “I raised my children in this community. And though I live in Melrose Park, my rights are also being infringed by this strip club. My children were concerned for my safety if this place opened, for what it would bring. I am proud to stand with the Sisters in this struggle and that we were victorious over vulgarity.”
Yesenia Sanchez, executive director of P.A.S.O.- West Suburban Action Project, a local social justice organization agreed. “We are proud to stand with the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles and the community members who courageously stood up to uphold the family and community values that are core to a healthy and vibrant community,” said Sanchez. “We applaud you for your work and will continue to stand with you in this struggle. And to any potential buyers of this strip club, learn from Get It’s mistake. A strip club in this location is and will be a bad investment. This community is ready and organized!”
Sister Noemia stated, “We call on the Mayor Mazulla, Mayor of Stone Park and village officials to enforce the state law which prevents the placement of a strip club within 1,000 feet of a place of worship. The Convent is located just a few feet from the strip club. If they will not enforce the law, then we call on the village of Stone Park to allow the courts to rule on the law before letting this strip club open. If you truly stand for the well-being of this community and its families, either enforce the law or support this lawsuit.”
Peter Breen, Executive Director of Thomas More Society concluded, “The Illinois law that provides a 1,000-foot buffer zone around places of worship from strip clubs is clear, valid, and constitutional. This sort of law has been enforced repeatedly by courts across the country, and our Illinois law has been enforced by at least one downstate court and even been upheld on appeal. The 1,000-foot buffer also extends into Melrose Park, protecting the people of Melrose Park, too. If the Village of Stone Park does not heed the call of the Sisters to enforce the buffer law, we are ready with a diverse coalition of individuals and organizations to seek relief from the courts.”
I don’t know, seems very organized to me. We got the bad-girl bin on the left, and the good-girl bin on the right. Sounds like a workable plan!
What is wrong with FR? It won’t scroll, just gives the first page.
They will have nun of that here.
Nun of this, Nun of that, and certainly Nun of the other!!
Great news. The Thomas More Society has been supporting this effort with legal help and advice. They are excellent on religious freedom, the right to life, and orthodoxy.
The one who stopped the strip club from opening upstairs was “Nun of the above.”
Stone Park is a grimy hole in the Earth.
Same here. I thought it was a problem with my browser, guess not.
I know. And it must be sending something that makes the browser think it’s complete because it doesn’t act like it’s waiting for the rest of the page, it acts like that’s all there is, but it stops someplace you know isn’t right. Plus, there’s some significance to the exact spots because if you reload 20 times, the breaking point will always be one of maybe the same three spots. Strange.
A perfect missed opportunity. The nuns at the convent could have saved numerous souls by ministering to the workers and patrons.
Strip Club? Nuns?
Getting out of the Habit?
But I digress......
yes, strange...
They should have let it go in next door. What better way to shame the customers.
You got that right! It is sad to see what has become of Melrose Park too.
Having said that, I am happy that were able to stop the slop from setting up shop.
What better way to shame the customers.
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LOL. You mean the 1/10th of 1% that might be shamed by being seen at a strip club.
While Louis preached a sermon against the sin of intemperance, drunkards from the tavern near the church could be heard, mocking him in loud and vulgar shouts and songs. When he finished his sermon he went straight to the tavern to give them a severe tongue-lashing. Seeing words were not enough, he knocked over the tables and went to work with fists. All scrambled out somehow, and he warned, "Don't come back, it will be all the worse for you if you do." Every time he preached, thereafter, in the awakened town of Roussay, he found a most respectful and attentive congregation.
good for them
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