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An Appeal from a Group of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parishioners
Parishioners of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish ^ | Feb. 21, 2005 | Parishioners of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish

Posted on 02/26/2005 7:55:08 PM PST by lrslattery

Parishioners of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish
at Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist Church
15 Plaza Square
Saint Louis, Missouri 63103-2318
Contact: (314) 781 4486, e-mail:stkostkaparish@sbcglobal.net

AN APPEAL THAT WILL NEVER MAKE THE NEWS
FROM A GROUP OF ST. STANISLAUS KOSTKA PARISHIONERS

February 21, 2005

Dear Friends in the Archdiocese of St. Louis:

Since March 2004 Catholics in the St. Louis area have been affected by a dispute between the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and the lay board of directors of the civil corporation of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish which illegally took away control of the parish corporation from the Roman Catholic Church. The conflict escalated after the board refused to bring the parish civil structure into conformity with Church law that clearly states that the pastor appointed by the Archbishop, not a group of laymen who assign the pastor the role of an employee, has ultimate authority regarding parish life. As a result of the board’s defiance, manifested by offensive behavior of board members towards our priests, in August 2004 Archbishop Burke transferred the parish center to St. John, Apostle and Evangelist Church in downtown St. Louis. Parishioners who support Archbishop Burke continue to celebrate the Mass in Polish there and the parish continues to thrive.

Many Catholics in the St. Louis Archdiocese have initially expressed support for the board of directors of the civil corporation of St. Stanislaus Parish. This was a result of an intensive media campaign conducted by the board of directors and their supporters. The main objective of the board seems to be to discredit Archbishop Burke, damage his reputation, and portray the parish community as a victim of his demands. Secular media not only disregarded the existence of parishioners supporting Archbishop Burke, but also distorted the truth about the background of the conflict. One such distortion relates to the fact that St. Stanislaus Kostka parishioners supporting Archbishop Burke refused to participate in January 9th voting which was orchestrated as another publicity exploit by the board of directors and its media advisers. Although the board and their spokesmen loudly attempt to portray themselves as representatives of St. Stanislaus parish community, in reality they represent only a group of supporters who choose to affirm them. This critical distinction was never made by the media.

Support for the “Save St. Stan’s” campaign mounted by the board of directors is provided from many sources interested in destroying the unity of the Roman Catholic Church. The campaign slogan became even a City of St. Louis mayoral race issue, when one of the candidates publicly expressed support for the board of directors, while acknowledging no affiliation with the Catholic Church. The public scandal caused by the board, which has been instrumental in swaying the opinions of many of its supporters, and of the general public, has created much pain in the Archdiocese of St. Louis and in the community at large.

Unfortunately, the campaign proved to be very persuasive in deflecting the attention of many parishioners, as well as the public, from fundamental principles of operating a faith-based community. These include the structure and authority of the Church, respect for law, and accountability to parishioners and the public at large. Over the last several years members of the board fostered a culture of blatant disrespect for the Church as well as for many members of the parish community. There is ongoing speculation about the reasons the board of directors changed corporate by-laws and assumed control over the parish finances. It is apparent that this situation exempted the board from the strict accountability required of all other parishes of the Roman Catholic Church. Contrary to public declarations, the board refused to conduct an independent financial audit by a certified public accountant, and to disclose details of parish operations, including procedures for awarding contracts and service agreements. The change of corporate bylaws was done with premeditation through amendments in 2001 and 2004. This itself is a clear violation of the original 1891 corporate bylaws, which explicitly state that corporation bylaws must be in conformance with diocesan rules, regulations and requirements.

A few months ago, members of our congregation published an “Open Letter to Parishioners and Supporters of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish”. The letter outlined details of the parish conflict, and expressed support for Archbishop Burke in his efforts to bring the parish structure into conformity with the governance model that is followed by all parishes in St. Louis diocese. These efforts were subsequently affirmed, and mandated, by the Vatican in its decree of November 11, 2004, rejecting the appeal against the Archbishop made on behalf of the board of directors. The full text of the open letter, as well as other documents related to this conflict, is available at the website of the Archdiocese of St. Louis: http://www.archstl.org/parishes/documents/st_stanislaus.html. Please contact us if you would like to receive a copy of our letter.

We are deeply concerned that the actions taken by the board of directors are clearly intended to weaken the authority of the Holy See and of Archbishop Burke. We reject the board’s rhetoric comparing their role to that of Solidarity in the fight for the freedom of Poland. This comparison is simply insulting to many of us who are parishioners, and who personally participated in the fight for the freedom of Poland, and drew our strength and inspiration from the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Resolution of this conflict will have a profound impact not only on the future of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish but on the entire Catholic community in the United States. We reject the notion of separating St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish from the Roman Catholic Church. We call on the board of directors of the parish civil corporation to stop the campaign of hostility and animosity towards the Catholic Church, and its leaders in Rome and in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, a campaign that knowingly, deliberately, and publicly has damaged seriously the unity of the Roman Catholic community.

None of us – Roman Catholics in St. Louis Archdiocese – should remain disinterested in this matter. This conflict is a test of our judgment as Catholics, a test of our ability to clearly comprehend the complexity of the situation, and of our courage to make a conscientious choice.

We appeal to all Catholics the in St. Louis Archdiocese to express strong support for Archbishop Burke in his efforts to resolve this matter. On the second Sunday of each month we invite you all to attend our monthly bi-lingual Mass of Solidarity with Archbishop Burke during which we will pray for the strength of our spiritual leaders, unity of the Catholic Church, and the future of our congregation. The first Mass of Solidarity will be celebrated on March 13th, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. at St. John, Apostle and Evangelist Church in Plaza Square in downtown St. Louis. We kindly ask for your support.

God Bless, ST. STANISLAUS KOSTKA PARISH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Appeal Letter (PDF File)


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: archbishop; burke; diocese; solidarity; stanislaus; stlouis
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To: thor76
Some have posted here and made it sound like it is a "good thing" if the assets of a parish are totally at the whim of hte pastor and/or bishop....and that the people who supply the money should have no say in what is spent for what or how much!

It may have escaped your notice that the lay board has total control of the finances - monies from the parishioners who do not necessarily agree with total lay board control... where's the checks and balances on that?

41 posted on 02/27/2005 5:12:32 PM PST by american colleen
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To: Land of the Irish
He was subject to them (Lk. 2:51).

From this all Christians should learn to be obedient to the commandments of God and of the Church. God has united life or death, blessing or malediction with obedience or disobedience to His commandments, and the Bible (I Kings 15:22) shows that obedience pleases God more than sacrifices or the fat of rams, and that He despises disobedience as He does witchcraft and idolatry.

We must be obedient to the Church, because Christ Himself with His holy Spirit lives in her, and governs her, and has said: Who hears not the Church, let him be to thee a heathen and a publican, therefore, shut out from eternal life.

We must be obedient to our parents, because they are placed over us by God, and we are indebted to them, under Him, for life and many benefits. Those children who do not assist their parents when they are old, poor, and helpless, or are ashamed of them, have reason to be afraid, since even Christ Jesus, the God-Man, was obedient and subject in all things to His poor mother, and to a humble mechanic who was only His foster-father.

Cursed be he that honoreth not his father and mother (Deut. 27:16); how much more cursed those who despise, deride and abandon their parents? Their eyes will one day be picked out by ravens (Prov. 30:17). If God commanded obstinate and disobedient children to be stoned (Dent. 21:20), what do those not deserve who even strike or abuse their parents?

Source, The Church's Year by Fr. Leonard Goffine

What does collegiality have to do with obedience?

Further, the comments with respect to Mahony and Cawcutt are irrelevent in this discussion (I would, nonetheless, agree that their actions are despicable and they should be cut free from the Church, but God has not granted that power to me).

I wonder what you and others would think of the man who suggests this:
To keep ourselves right in all things, we ought to hold fast to this principle: What I see as white, I will believe to be black if the hierarchical Church thus determines it. For we believe that between Christ our Lord, the Bridegroom, and the Church, his Spouse, there is the one same Spirit who governs and guides us for the salvation of our souls. For it is by the same Spirit and Lord of ours who gave the ten commandments that our holy Mother Church is guided and governed.

42 posted on 02/27/2005 5:22:30 PM PST by lrslattery (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam - http://slatts.blogspot.com)
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To: Land of the Irish

http://www.saveststans.com/news_07_18_04.html
Polish church expects to continue traditions
By Aisha Sultan
Of the Post-Dispatch
Sunday, Jul. 18 2004

It sounded like a mix-up in the hymnals.

The band played the frolicking tune of "It's a Small World," while the choir
sang, "Alleluia, Praise the Lord."

This year's event, held Sunday, could have been bittersweet given the church's
feud with the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Archbishop Raymond Burke has threatened
to pull the church's priest if the church board doesn't comply with his demands
to change its independent structure.

But the Mass and the picnic afterward were festive and upbeat, largely because
no one seemed to believe that this could be the last polka.

"They can take the priest," said parishioner Marek Parafiniuk, 27, of
Brentwood. "We won't give up the parish. The people will still be here."

Debbie Turek Walde, 47, who drove from Washington, Mo., for the Mass, agreed.


43 posted on 02/27/2005 5:26:05 PM PST by american colleen
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Comment #44 Removed by Moderator

To: american colleen

What's your point? The Pope is fond of polka masses.


45 posted on 02/27/2005 5:32:22 PM PST by Land of the Irish (Tradidi quod et accepi)
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To: Land of the Irish

46 posted on 02/27/2005 5:40:55 PM PST by american colleen
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To: Land of the Irish

How do you know the pope is fond of 'polka Masses'?


47 posted on 02/27/2005 5:41:23 PM PST by american colleen
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To: lrslattery
What I see as white, I will believe to be black if the hierarchical Church thus determines it.

Thanks for making my point. Cardinal Mahoney is a representative, in good standing, of the present hierachial Church.

48 posted on 02/27/2005 5:44:40 PM PST by Land of the Irish (Tradidi quod et accepi)
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To: sandyeggo
...is it St. Ignatius, by any chance?

It certainly is! And, for those, concerned with a strange or odd sense of "orthodoxy", it's Pre-Vatican II, to boot.

As you probably already know, the rules of St. Ignatius should be observed to foster the true attitude of mind we ought to have in the Church Militant.

The First Rule: With all judgment of our own put aside, we ought to keep our minds ever ready and prompt to obey in all things in the true Spouse of Christ our Lord, our Holy Mother, the hierarchical Church.

Notice, he did not say in things of a doctrinal nature only, but in ALL things, including disciplinary matters. Even if one were to be burderned with a bishop such as those named above (Mahony, Cawcutt), it must be seen as an opportunity to offer glory to God, in humility and docility by one's obedience, however distasteful. (This not not mean that one could not still write letters of complaint to the Holy See).

49 posted on 02/27/2005 5:55:59 PM PST by lrslattery (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam - http://slatts.blogspot.com)
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To: american colleen
How do you know the pope is fond of 'polka Masses'?

"In 1983 Fr. Perkovich and the Polka Massters had the experience of a lifetime, celebrating the Polka Mass on the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican for Pope John Paul II. The Pope commended and encouraged Fr. Perkovich in his endeavors with the Polka Mass and was pleased to accept a recording of the Mass."

50 posted on 02/27/2005 6:00:55 PM PST by Land of the Irish (Tradidi quod et accepi)
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To: lrslattery
Notice, he did not say in things of a doctrinal nature only, but in ALL things, including disciplinary matters.

Does that apply to Cawcutt's altar boys?

51 posted on 02/27/2005 6:02:54 PM PST by Land of the Irish (Tradidi quod et accepi)
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To: lrslattery
Even if one were to be burderned with a bishop such as those named above (Mahony, Cawcutt), it must be seen as an opportunity to offer glory to God, in humility and docility by one's obedience, however distasteful.

Obeying a bishop's command to sin is not an oppurtunity to offer glory to God.

52 posted on 02/27/2005 6:06:28 PM PST by Land of the Irish (Tradidi quod et accepi)
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To: Land of the Irish

Just to be clear, as you have pointed out, obedience extends to lawful commands only.


53 posted on 02/27/2005 6:19:54 PM PST by lrslattery (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam - http://slatts.blogspot.com)
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Comment #54 Removed by Moderator

To: thor76

The late pastor of the local N.O. parish insisted on counting the collections by himself. No one ever knew the details of parish finances.

He took a lot of trips. He also was a frequent visitor to the Indian gaming casinos.


55 posted on 02/27/2005 6:28:59 PM PST by Canticle_of_Deborah
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To: sandyeggo

"If anyone preach a gospel to you other than that which you have received, let him be anathema!" Gal. I, 9


56 posted on 02/27/2005 6:31:35 PM PST by Land of the Irish (Tradidi quod et accepi)
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To: sandyeggo
OF HOLY OBEDIENCE

Thanks so much for that. I had forgotten about this. I now have it bookmarked! Thanks again.

57 posted on 02/27/2005 6:42:49 PM PST by lrslattery (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam - http://slatts.blogspot.com)
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To: Land of the Irish

That's fine by me but I figured you'd think Polka Masses were akin to Mariachi Masses or Folk Masses (I find all three silly but it's just a change in the music and not in the Mass itself) and evidence of further corruption of the Novus Ordo. I'd a thought you would think that St. Stan's was aiding and abetting modernism and that it wouldn't be a bad thing if it closed.


58 posted on 02/27/2005 6:46:55 PM PST by american colleen
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To: Canticle_of_Deborah

Did anyone ever approach him about parish finances or did they just whisper behind his back?


59 posted on 02/27/2005 6:49:08 PM PST by american colleen
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To: american colleen

I really don't care what you "figure" or "think" about me.

Go analyze somebody else.


60 posted on 02/27/2005 6:51:19 PM PST by Land of the Irish (Tradidi quod et accepi)
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