ST. HEDWIG CLOSING - 17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Well today was the 4th Sunday of July - the day Deacon Jerry stated, five weeks ago, would be the last regular Sunday Mass in the church building of the former St. Hedwig Parish.

Nothing to report on that fact; nothing in the sermon. The Sunday parish bulletin shows a regularly scheduled Mass St. Hedwig's for next week the 18th Sunday in Ordinary time.

Will something change? Who knows -anything's likely to happen, but I suspect Pastor Joseph and the bishop have decided to turn the heat under the pot real low; that way the frogs will be completely unaware they are being slowly boiled.

I won't be able to confirm what happened for a couple of weeks. SNAP conference next weekend in Chicago (I'm going by bus - trying to keep my personal vow to use the automobile as little as possible). The following week I'll be donating blood platelets at the Red Cross - at 9:30 AM - usually a 2 1/2 process. So unless I get back home before Mass lets out on Sunday, August 8th, I'll have to wait until Sunday, August 15th to find out for sure what happened unless, of course, my iron content in my blood isn't high enough (and won't be able to donate) in which case I will know when I go to attend Mass.

Noticed that bulletin now shows a combined collection amount. Average is about $4,000.00 per Sunday (over $200,000.00 per year). I do wonder how much of that ends up being directed to the Shoo-Loop lawyers once a portion of it gets sent to the downtown offices of the Diocese? It's a question that has bothered me for a few years now.

ST. HEDWIG CLOSING: 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

It's after 8 PM on what was a hot day, until some rain came through and dropped it to about 77.

Nothing new to report this Sunday. Per the bulletin, Fr. Joseph is off somewhere in Michigan on probably a planned respite.

An older priest was in today for Mass. Seen him before - tall and lanky. Never got his name - not even the first time he came by. Pretty standard celebration. The interior of the building was, of course, hot. As I usually do, I turned my bulletin copy into an improvised fan and kept myself tolerably cool enough to sit through the Mass.

The only interesting thing was hearing part of an overheard conversation. One of the altar servers sat down a few pews in front of me to, I am guessing, discuss the topic of this Blog, with one of the two older ladies who always sit three pews closer to the front than I.

Actually all I heard was just part of two sentences uttered emphatically twice. They were clear enough that I can quote them: "Bishop Blair doesn't care . . ." Not sure what the server believed the bishop didn't care, about. But I could guess.

The natives it, appears, are restless and unsure about what is going to happen.

A side note: ya know it's too bad any kind of conversation goes on in the church building's worship area. The loss of a sense of sanctity in the worship space is sad. It even comes down to the point where if one wishes to pray and meditate or contemplate and if somebody walks by and sees one praying that somebody still feels a need to call out a greeting or engage in conversation. And then the person praying feels like a sh&# for not responding and even must deal with nasty looks for replying only with a nod.

I didn't really want to hear that conversation between the altar server and the lady, but God how could I have helped it given how things are now?

Next week's the 4th Sunday. Mass should go on as planned. I won't be able to see what happen's on August 1st - as I'll be attending the SNAP conference in Chicago. I'll wait until August 8th to see if Mass will be celebrated as promised.

ST. HEWIG'S CLOSING - TALKING TO A FELLOW PARISHONER

Bussed it in to work today - heavy-duty thunderstorms predicted for the afternoon - not a good day to ride scooter.

But the respite from the Vespa gave me a chance to talk to a lady who often sits a few pews in front of me in church on Sunday.

She agreed with me that Bishop Blair planned what happened a couple of weeks ago - quite some time ago - the sudden departure of Fr. Hertzfeld who was supposed to take over at St. Joseph's down the street - was all too obvious -he wants to close the parish and building and confiscate any monies while he focuses on the rich parishes in the fringe areas of Toledo and its suburbs.

However, she did point out one thing further that will help toward the demise: the placement of the Sunday Masses. To restate: the Sunday Mass held at St. Hedwig's is at 11:30 AM. Now for the ignorant: the St. Hedwig's church building has never been air-conditioned while St. Adalbert's is. The word she gave me was the one or two of the altar servers got Father Joseph's ear and convinced him to ensure that St. Hedwig's Mass would be held during the warmest part of the day. This will ensure, of course, that folks wishing to attend Mass in the parish will go down the street to the air-conditioned building.

Ya know, I'm just a south-end kid - child, grandchild and great-grandchild of Catholic Polish-Americans and Polish immigrants who settled in Nebraski (I refuse to use the other derogatory term foisted on my ancestors by the north-end Poles). So, I have no real feeling for this 'Hatfield-McCoy' like feud that's been raging here in the north end for about a century.

So, why not just switch the Sunday Mass times and places around? It makes sense. It'll keep folks happy and ensure the bishop's promise to keep the building open for Sunday Mass will be kept.

ST. HEDWIG CLOSING - A REPRIEVE - AT LEAST FOR A WHILE

I went to the second Mass for this July of 2010 at St. Hedwig's - the second of what I expected to be two more. However, just before he started his sermon Father Joseph gave a 'little' announcement: that contrary to what the Deacon Jerry said on June 27th - the 11:30 AM Mass would continue -- at least for the next several months.

Do I shout "Hurrah" or accept the story given by Sally - the spinmiester as being factual (for once) or were other factors at work here.

On the way to church - had to take cut-thru the alley next to the old convent due the annual Polish Street Festival which for the 3 years now has been fenced off for security (and because the Lagrange Delopement Corp. wants to make some money on admission fees) I encountered a woman - a fellow parishioner - who confessed to coming to church here for 40 years. She said, as we walked to Mass together, that the announcement two weeks ago was bothering her and weighing heavily on her mind.

If this was not going to happen, and considering the behavior of our bishop, then nothing should have been said at all - even in speculation.

Fr. Joseph said he didn't know about what been said. Posh! I sent an email with a link to this blog on June 27th itself. So, either he does read his email often or somebody does that for him (deleting what Father doesn't need to see I imagine) or what? . . . he ignored it? And what about others who I am sure contacted him?

Being up front is important - especially now when the trust the clergy automatically got has been almost mortally wounded since the sexual abuse scandal broke.

I believe him, but I won't be surprised of it all closes down as originally announced. If it doesn't - then I'll have to wonder if it's going into a slow fade out - meaning - turning down the heat real low gradually bringing that water to a boil so the people won't see it happening. So, I remain as convinced as ever that closing the church building is on the menu.

Side note: once again Fr. Joesph used Eucharistic Prayer I. I heartily approve - about time that old and venerable prayer got taken out of month balls and used regularly.

FIRST MASS - NEW PASTOR FOR THE PARISH

Just got out of the first Mass celebrated by the new pastor, Fr. Jospeh Poggemeyer.

Nothing new to report - he simply reiterated what Deacon Jerry stated last Sunday. Without clarification it would seem that perhaps today's Mass was the first of the last four regular Sunday Masses that will be celebrated within the walls of St. Hedwig's.

Fr. Joseph gave a short history of himself and his take on how to relate with the Lord rather than preach a sermon on today's reading from the Gospel.

I learned that like myself, he is an alumus of the Pontifical College Josephinum - though technically I graduated from the college division and he graduated from the theologate.

Looks he's a bishop's man though (Could less be expected?). He commented that he trusts that what the bishop says (and I assume does) is what the Lord wants for the Church. Considering what I've witnessed for 5 years now - I don't believe that can be relied upon with this bishop.

As for Mass celebration style: I did like that he used Eucharistic Prayer I (so many use E.P. II so much it's almost become the standard) and properly blessed us (May almighty God bless YOU (not US)). Hope that continues.

One final note here: Four years ago I did have a letter printed in the Blade in which I said it would be proper and just if of all priests who are transferring to a new parish to be required to have an updated background check done and released to the people. Of course that was roundly scorned and Bishop Blair - even if he ordered one - probably wouldn't release the results to the people of the parishes.

I never did one on Fr. Philoposki - who just left. But this time I did one on the new pastor - using the available information from the local courts that are on the Net. I found nothing significant - only a very, very, minor indiscretion when he was but a youth. Nothing that need be described in detail on this Blog. Had I found something seriously significant though, I would have felt obligated to let the whole world know. At this point I'd say he's safe to be around children, teens and vulnerable adults.

The point is not that I found anything, but - that the check was done and the results shared in some fashion - no matter what the check showed.

For now I'll watch and I'll listen.

Absolute final note: I did take the time to go meet him; shake his hand and welcome him to the parish - anything less would have been indecent of me.

ST, HEDWIG'S CLOSING - UPDATE THREE

Well. Dave Yonke's article did appear today in the Blade:

Here it is: St. Hedwig, St. Adalbert officially one parish

Thanks Dave.

The priest who was supposed to take over at St. Joseph's was Fr. Hertzfeld - I thought it was "Heinschel" - but that is no matter. He's the one who "volunteered" to go to Rome.

The fact still stands that this happened awfully quickly - little or no warning. It's an internal process.

Internal procedures of any organization that are self-monitored, including (maybe especially) religious one, can be bent to fit whatever circumstance one wishes to make them to fit - whether for good or for evil (my experience is that it is usually to cover-up a mistake or for out right evil).

I know that because I worked in places in which the powers that be who are only accountable to themselves routinely bent internal procedures to cover-up what the real intent was so as to present a 'good face' to those whom those places served or who worked there. Money was usually at stake.

I still think that is exactly what happened in this instance.

I heard what Deacon Jerry said on Sunday, June 27th and he did say that the Mass schedule for July of 2010 would hold, but that schedule for August would have to change and this would result in NO Masses on Sunday at all at St. Hedwigs which would be turned into an oratory.

The bishop's statement that he couldn't turn down Rome was lame when presented and is still lame now. Bishop Blair has Vatican connections - everyone knows that - after all he went to school there and chummed up with several persons who now hold high offices who were former schoolmates. It wouldn't take much to quietly and informally work with one of his cronies in a Vatican office to get what he wanted in the end.

My concern is not what's going to be closed here, but, again, that we are witnessing bishops who simply will not be held accountable to their people, but will act as they damn well please. It's right in line with the way the survivors of sexual abuse have been treated for centuries.

I haven't heard of any protests being mounted in the matter by my fellow parishioners - yet. Maybe there won't be any. If they do it's because they'll want to maintain there little Polish-American ethnic enclave not because they care about the neighborhood which is no longer connected to many of them anymore. Many in fact come from miles and miles away- some as far as Ann Arbor - to come to Mass. For me - it's the principle that matters. If the church is going to be closed - just say so - don't play games.

So, Bishop Blair, Fr. Billian, and Fr. Poggemeyer will have to quell what to amounts to a minor stirring up of the people - who knows maybe they'll let Sunday Mass be celebrated after all (or once or twice a month) until most of this people's angst and anger cools and they accept the inevitable.

Fr. Poggoemeyer got a link to this blog sent to him on this past Sunday. No response - didn't expect one. But I'll be there to see what he's got to say tomorrow at Mass - July 4th - Independence Day.

Transparency and Honesty . . .

Transparency and honesty are all that's asked.

Until those are given, accountability is and will be the demand of the day . . .

It's the bishop's choice.

I'm in it for the long haul.

ST. HEDWIG'S CLOSING - MORE FOLLOW-UP

Looks like Dave Yonke's interested in that matter. In fact I just got off the phone talking to him. There'll be a story this Saturday - he's completing interviews now.

I told him what I heard the deacon say from the pulpit. If the deacon meant what he said to be conditional - he should have said so clearly. I didn't hear any conditions. And he knew I was in the congregation and would likely comment on this on the Net.

Apparently Sally O. (the bishop's spinmeister) is trying to spin this differently. Well, that's no surprise.

Glad to see this matter won't go down without some sort of a fight.

The folks of St. Hedwig's have been resentful of me ever since the Chicken Dinner in the bulletin incident, but they don't deserve to be deprived of the use of their church in this fashion. Bishop Blair just needs to be up front - maybe this will help him to be frank and say what he means and not use subterfuge to get what he wants.