Free Republic

I don't think it's a "revival of an old thread"; more of a reply to a comment. Well, from personal and professional experience there, things are that bleak. Probably worse. The parish is miniscule, old (in terms of overall age and demographics), and strained. The last pastor sent to them was also very young and inexperienced. Did a lot of damage. This one is the same--or could be worse. I figure if you're looking to kill a parish, do it quickly, but I think there's something more sinister (if it can get more sinister). May be it's the investment in the renovation church property? (It's not a "new" church at all; it's a very old methodist church that required a great deal of work and investment...very impractical). It's bad despite the rosy picture painted by some pathological optimists.

The new parish administrator and so-called pastor at St Ann Maronite Catholic Church in Troy, New York, has so far been a disappointment. He has no pastoral experience, his English is terrible and he can’t preach. He’s very secretive and doesn’t share parish information (perhaps because of his poor English). Caused a lot of problems so far.

The so-called “new church” is an absolute disaster in terms of planning. There are simply not enough parishioners to maintain the old church (there are perhaps only 40 or so families in the parish and only a fraction attend liturgy regularly or contribute). The hope of occupying the new church or even finishing it, much less maintaining it, is a farce.

I noted that the link to the St Ann Donations on line link is not working and goes to an old web page; this is typical of the micromanagement style there; control everything, do nothing right. Nice work! Way to go if you’re looking for donations.

More on these issues at: http://maronites.wordpress.com/

Thanks.

Peace and blessings! A member of our Franciscan community mentioned this article that was published some time ago online by Crisis Magazine. Since I am doing research on that very topic relating to the permanent diaconate, I was very interested in finding the article and discussing it in depth with subscribers who may have personal experiences.

There is a thread on Free Public but the link to the article is incorrect or does not bring the article up.

If anyone has a copy of the pdf that s/he can send me, I'd be very, very grateful.

If you'd like to attache it to an e-mail, please send it to hvadney@mhcable.com.

Thanks very much! Pax et bonum!

Harold

Hi, there! I’m in discernment for the permanent diaconate and am having problems with this Albany diocese ... they’ve now come up with this age thing to exclude candidates even before discernment based on projected age at ordination!

We have a very inept bishop here in the Albany diocese; very unpopular, very uncourageous, started a boys-and-girls-club at the pastoral center complete with gatekeepers and much, much paranoia and secrecy. Pushing away very qualified and gifted persons called to vocations and ministries.

If you have a copy of this survey in its entirety, I would be more than grateful if you could send me a copy to hvadney@mhcable.com.

The State of the Catholic Church in America, Diocese by Diocese
Feb/March, 2007 | Rev. Rodger Hunter-Hull and Steven Wagner

The link does not bring me to the survey.

Pax et bonum!

If you have a copy of this survey in its entirety, I would be more than grateful if you could send me a copy to hvadney@mhcable.com.

The State of the Catholic Church in America, Diocese by Diocese
Feb/March, 2007 | Rev. Rodger Hunter-Hull and Steven Wagner

The link does not bring me to the survey.

Pax et bonum!

Harold