Listening Session
Somersworth/Rollinsford Cluster
“The Future of Our Churches”
Oaks Country Club
11/29/07
Discussion:
The Listening Session for the Somersworth/Rollinsford Cluster was held on 11/29/07 at the Oaks Country Club in Somersworth, NH. The parishes of St. Martin, Holy Trinity and St. Mary, gathered together to discuss the future of the churches. Two- hundred-twenty-six parishioners were present, Rev. Robert Cole, Dean was also present.
Tom Brown welcomed the group and thanked everyone for coming and for being concerned about the future of our churches.
Bob Duhaime, the evening facilitator, opened the session with an explanation of the evening’s agenda.
The session was opened with prayer from our pastor, Fr. Aaron Pfaff.
A Power point presentation was given highlighting the work of Cluster 21 over the past few years and the current issues facing the Cluster today.
o Work began in 2005 under Fr. Cole. Circumstances in Dover required a shift in pastors. As a result, all three churches were twinned under Fr. Aaron.
o Twinning the three churches has not relieved a burden from Fr. Aaron overseeing three churches. Diocese has reconvened this sub cluster shortly after the fire at the rectory. Diocese suggested that we consider merging churches.
o Merging
§ Two or more parishes come together to form one completely new parish. The newly merged parish would be given a new name, although the names of the respective church buildings would remain unchanged.
§ Assets and liabilities are transferred into the new parish and oversight and governance are combined (i.e., one Pastoral council, Finance Committee, etc…).
· Merger in Portsmouth
o As a result of the cluster process three churches merged into one parish;
o New Parish: Corpus Christi
o Churches:
§ Immaculate Conception
§ St. Catherine of Siena
§ St. James
o Unification
§ One or more existing parishes are suppressed and united with another already-existing parish
§ The Surviving parish retains its identity
§ Assts and liabilities are transferred into the new parish and oversight and governance are combined (i.e., one Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, etc…)
o Twinning
§ Two or more parishes remain separate and distinct, but share one pastor. Each parish retains its assets and liabilities.
§ Pastor continues to deal with separate Pastoral Councils and committees
§ The Diocese is recommending we terminate the current twinning arrangement
o Due Process
o Diocesan review by Presbyterial Council
o Deanery review
o Inventory of assets
§ Property, sacred vessels, debts, outstanding contracts, etc….
o Finance review
o Update physical description
o Provide 3 names for new parish
o Issue final ”decree of merger”
o Goal – end of FY (6/30/08)
o What Next?
o Parishioner input
o Pastor and Cluster reps firm up recommendation
o Submit formal recommendation to diocese (within days)
o “Due Process” review begins
o Current Options
o Merge St. Martin and Holy Trinity and twin St. Mary
§ Somersworth parish has new name and one governance
§ Make decision to operate both church buildings or close one
§ St. Mary arrangement unchanged (finances and governance). Subject to diocesan approval
o Merge all three parishes
§ Combined parish has new name
§ Assets and liabilities are transferred into the new parish and oversight and governance are combined (i.e., one Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, etc…)/
§ Make decision to operate one, two or three church buildings
o Rectory is now being fixed and should be complete in 60 –90 days.
o In July we reported that a structural inspection of all three buildings was needed - These have been now completed
o Purpose: to determine current condition and establish capital reserve and assist in real estate transactions
o Property Condition Assessment - Criterium Turner Engineers - used throughout the diocese - inspected the rectory after the fire - looked at structure/parking/ accessibility
o Inspections held on:
§ St. Martin Sept 13
§ St. Mary Oct 3
§ Holy Trinity Oct 9
o Report was detailed clear and concise - included cost estimates and recommendations for future projects - includes many photos also includes timeline for projects
o Cost estimates for recommended projects;
§ St. Martin – over $900,000
§ Holy Trinity – over $500,000
§ St. Mary – over $600,000
§ see power point slides for specific projects recommended
o Improvement on all is economically feasible
Questions and Answer/Comment Period
· Q - When merged, when we have no substitute priest, when we stay with our Pastor saying one Mass per church, this should begin the process of worshipping together and becoming to get together – Will this be the first step in being one faith community?
o A - No hard answer as to when we would return to three masses – no predetermined date of when the additional masses will not be needed any longer – will depend on council
· Q - Is it a possibility to have three churches, come together, with reduced masses in order to keep all three open?
· Q - Merger or twinning is only a half measure. The motive is merging is to reduce the work load for the pastor. This proposition is only 1/3 instead of 2/3 reduction in work load. Would we be better off to merge all three?
o A – We have listed the reasons for twinning with St. Mary. They have been many years without a pastor and are currently very self-sufficient and self- supporting. The church is in a different town and has many historical features. St. Mary’s may not be twinned in the future and may face unification if bishop wants to revisit later
o A - Fr. Cole stated that in Maine, they are planning to close Berwick and So. Berwick churches. I believe we will see an increase in Somersworth and Rollinsford mass attendance from these churches. Don’t make any decision to close yet. Wait to see the results of the closing of the churches just over the border in Maine
· C – I disagree with some of the recommendations (from the appraisal) of St. Martin. We don’t need automatic doors – others should open doors for those not able to. We do not need another bathroom. We are not running a hotel. I am glad to see the repair of rectory included
o A - Concerns of maintenance are expressed in the report. We have struggled with the length of time to fix rectory. We also have some concerns about report suggestions but will think carefully about them before implementation
· C – I think merger wonderful but please don’t close my church
· Q - All parishes share concern for Fr. Aaron not just St. Martin. Do we have to close a church?
o A - The cluster has made that decision based on the input from the Listening session held in July and will make this recommendation to the diocese, unless we hear strong support against it tonight,
· Q - Why isn’t the next group of people (newly formed councils with equal representation from each church) making the recommendation rather than the sub cluster committee? Too many quick decisions - Why do we have to throw in the closing the recommendation? We want to merge but not necessarily close/
o A - Nothing is final until after tonight – just a recommendation – based on input from the July listening session
· Q – There was a merger in No. Conway, in which all churches closed, then built a new one. There was less hard feelings. Is there a size study? The ten o’clock mass has been crowded. Does either church have the capacity to hold all the people at one mass?
o A – Space. There are no easy answers. We are not building a new church. Each of these churches is 30 – 40 year old churches. We don’t know the extent of the space issues until it actually happens. Some people will seek other churches. Maybe an addition...Maybe more Masses
· Q - Can we vote tonight?????
o A - We can’t ask for a vote and won’t
· Q - Everyone is worried about the church. Why don’t they worry about the pastor?
· Q - Why can’t the parishioners vote on what we should have?
o A - The process is the recommendation for the diocese. The Long Range Planning Committee operates this way. The Bedford meeting showed us this is the process everywhere and dictated by Canon Law.
· Q - What is a vibrant parish? How do you measure something like that? Is there any evidence that any of the churches are lacking in that?
o A - The workload of the pastor is the basis for the recommendation. Vibrancy is subjective not analytical. Many have vibrancy and that magical touch.
o A – Bob Duhaime - Vibrancy has a couple of connotations, financial and spiritual vibrancy. Are these needs being met? The bishop is concerned about this. Spiritual needs first before finance.
· Q – What about the concern of the Pastor not living on the property? –
o A - Fr. Aaron will move in to St. Martin Rectory. There is an issue of the Office and the priest’s residence. Priest need to have some privacy. Office would not remain in the basement any longer than necessary. If we close St. Martin, it will remain to be seen if Fr. Aaron lives in the Holy Trinity Rectory.
· Q - Where is the deacon going to live?
o A – That may be resolved with some of the assets gained from sale of property.
· Q - The church should be about people, not finances. The people remain. Why are the decision made by finances and pastors that are temporary and a body of people in the diocese who knows little about us?
o A – There is no answer to these questions. The diocese is giving us the opportunity to participate in these decisions which is more than they had to do.
o A - Fr. Gorski is follow canonical law but trying to be user friendly by trying to be as open as possible. Canon law dictates the process.
· C – Everyone is talking about their church. We are all going to lose our parish. Most of us aren’t at the church we grew up. We are talking about buildings – maintaining buildings. The bulletin shows expenses and income each week. Sell something and build a center to house religious Ed. We could do so much more if we were one building and one combined parish. Wouldn’t we be better if we were two combined parishes with one open building?
· Q – The real problem is the shortage o f priests. The churches are solvent. The priests are the reasons for closing not solvency. Will there be a bigger problem in five years?
o A – This is a temporary fix. We are only looking out 7 years to 2012. Who knows what will happen then? Maybe a big push to increase deacons? It could be better or worse?
· Q –Can Fr. Cole share the long term perspective of the diocese?
o A - Fr. Cole - The number of priest is dire. By 2012 we will have 75 pastors under the age of 70. We currently have 88. By 2017 to 58. There are not many incoming priests.
· C - Pray for priests and pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us.
· Q - What is the purpose of changing the name of the parish?
o A - The diocese has dictated the process of naming the parish. It is so no one retains ownership. All need to share the same grief
· Q - What if the churches could guarantee the diocese a priest, could the church stay open?
o A - We did hear a story about a parish slated for closing. They promised a priest and delivered a priest and were kept open. Who knows?
· Q - Have we considered bringing in priests from other orders to take over the parishes? Have we considered making that recommendation?
o A - Not our decision. It would be a diocesan decision.
o A - They are doing it in Maine and they are still closing churches.
· Q -Merging is a difficult decision. I am concerned for t he people. What proactive ways are there to handle the grief experienced by people? This should be about Christ. Some pastors have broken our trust which is the reason for strong councils. We need to support our pastor. The diocese needs to take an active role in promoting trust among bishops, priests….
o A – This is a step- by-step process
o A - We are leaps and bounds above area churches. We have had subcommittees and combined many functions. We will make this work and work well.
· C - I go to church wherever. We are all praying to the same God. I do not want a church in strip mall. Life teen the future of our church. One building, same God
· C - In the military, we change churches often. We go to church to pray. Not to be at that building.
· C – Many people are listing reasons to close the other church, and keep theirs open. Contrary to what the vote was in July. We need to let the council know what we think so the council has guidance. Ask yourself, am I prepared to accept the closing of my church without complaining?
At this point, moderators for the evening suggested a show of hands concerning the issues raised with 226 people present:
o Proposal One - How many are in favor of merging the Somersworth churches and twinning St. Mary?
§ Roughly about 150 people raised their hands
o Proposal Two – How many are in favor of merging all three churches?
§ Approximately 20 hands were raised
o Proposal three – How many are in favor of merging the Somersworth churches, twinning St. Mary, and closing one of the Somersworth churches?
§ Approximately 216 hands were raised
o Proposal four – How many want to keep all three churches open?
§ Approximately 10 hands were raised
o Proposal five – How many want to close both churches and build a new church?
§ Small amount of hands were raised
At this point, the crowd became anxious and began to leave. The meeting was called to a close with a prayer by Fr. Cole.
