Three quotes ...

[All emphasis in the following is mine.]

From Jesus Christ, speaking to Simon Peter, Matthew 16:
18-19 ...

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

From Pope John Paul II, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, May 22,
1994 ...

Although the teaching that priestly ordination is to be reserved to men alone has been preserved by the constant and universal Tradition of the Church and firmly taught by the Magisterium in its more recent documents, at the present time in some places it is nonetheless considered still open to debate, or the Church's judgment that women are not to be admitted to ordination is considered to have a merely disciplinary force.

Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains to the Church's divine constitution itself, in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren (cf. Lk 22:32) I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful.

From Rev. Kevin P. Murphy, St. Louis Church, Pittsford, NY, June 28, 2009 bulletin ...

I know to raise the issue of women ... to be considered as priests is unacceptable for some among us…not for me ... if you feel women ... should be considered [for ordination to the priesthood], encourage and pray for that ... wherever the vocations come from, let us just pray and accept them to serve.

My prayer for this Year of the Priest is that our Church ... would consider the possibility that God has planted the vocation to Priesthood in women’s lives and we would seriously try to discern that.

How any Catholic - especially a Catholic priest! - can still believe that the Church will someday ordain women to the priesthood is simply mind boggling.

But, then, this is the Diocese of Rochester.

Two New Catholic Bloggers

Arialdus and Bellarmine are the pen names of two new local Catholic bloggers holding forth at The Well Done Review.

Check out their recent A Tale of Two Masses.

St. Lawrence Principal Ousted by MCCS?

A reader who is also the parent of a child at St. Lawrence School in Greece informs me that there is more than meets the eye concerning the recent resignation of Mr. Joe Holleran as Principal of St. Lawrence School.

My correspondent writes that

it was never stated, nor rumored in the school, that [resigning] was not his choice until we went to the farewell reception on the 20th.  [Two parents] gave out a survey, asking if parents were aware of any details regarding his supposed resignation, and asked for parent involvement.

These two parents followed up their survey with a letter to St. Lawrence parents, a copy of which follows.

Hello St. Lawrence School family.  I hope the start of Summer Vacation has been a good one for everyone.  Thank you for the strong showing at our Farewell Reception last week.

I am personally appealing to every family at St. Lawrence to make one final attempt at persuading the Diocese of Rochester to reinstate Mr. Holleran to his job as principal at our school. Many families have already phoned their office to voice disbelief at his removal and support of his return, and I believe we are starting to be noticed.  I would like to ask each of you to call on Monday and leave a message asking for Mr. Holleran to be renamed principal.  They are starting to narrow down the candidates for his position next week, so please act quickly.  Listed below are the name, position and phone number of the people responsible for this decision:

Anne Wilkens Leach - Superintendent   328-3228  ext 1258

Rev. Joseph Hart - Vicar General -  328-3228 ext 1216

Most Rev. Matthew Clark - Bishop - 328-3228  ext 1225

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Some in the St. Lawrence community apparently had questions which the two parents then addressed with this backgrounder. 

Dear St. Lawrence School Family,

Based on a number of responses we have received to our request for calls to the Diocese requesting the reinstatement of Joe Holleran, we thought a follow-up message with some background might be helpful prior to making your call.  Listed below are facts pertinent to Joe's "voluntary" resignation.  The most important statement we can make to you is that his leaving our St. Lawrence school family was NOT voluntary.  It is also imperative that you know that while none of our actions are at the request of Mr. Holleran, it is our understanding that he would accept a reinstatement to his position if it was offered to him by the Diocese.

• In Spring 2008 after the closing of 13 Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Rochester, St. Lawrence School was promised a full-time aide in each of our classrooms because of the anticipated growth to our school.  This pledge was made at a meeting of principals whose schools were remaining open.  In Fall 2008 prior to school opening, this promise was reneged upon, with their support being scaled back to a full-time aide in each K, 1, 2, and 3, and ONE aide for 4, 5 and 6 combined.  
• Mr. Holleran, counting on what the Diocese promised, had already secured an aide for each grade.  Upon the Diocese cutting funding for two of our aides in spite of now having a waiting list for EVERY grade in our school, Mr. Holleran decided to maintain the aide in each classroom without them being on the Diocese payroll.  
• The funds raised by our annual Walk-a-Thon (over $35,000 this year alone), are dispersed and spent on our children's education as prioritized by the principal.  One of the strengths of our school is the classroom environment, which is a direct result of Mr. Holleran's leadership and direction.
• In the Fall of 2008, Mr. Holleran wrote a letter to the Diocese expressing his frustration with this situation and questioning their priorities for funding other projects, presumably at the expense of our children's education.  This letter was perceived as a defiant gesture by him, and Diocesan support for him changed thereafter.
• Mr. Holleran has always been very open about his intention to retire from our St. Lawrence School family in four years when the just finished 2nd grade class moves on to middle school.  
• During the meeting with Diocesan school officials at the beginning of June after which his "resignation" occurred, at no point was he given the option to remain in his role as principal.  It is the opinion of many parents and faculty members that Joe Holleran was asked to resign, that it was not his choice and that it was directly related to the letter he wrote.  It is also strongly believed that the request for his resignation had nothing to do with his competency, job performance or desire to retire, but instead a vendetta against him. 

The Catholic church has spent millions of dollars across the country to protect members of it's community who have made mistakes and often times harmed or endangered youths and adolescents in the Catholic school system.  At St. Lawrence School we have a man whose every decision is made with the well-being of our children and their education as the utmost priority.  His spirituality is evident in every aspect of his interaction with our children.  Instead of the Diocese rewarding a true mentor and spiritual leader, they are forcing him out of our school and quite possibly their community.  It is our collective belief that this is a major injustice and it is the reason why we are asking for your support by calling the Diocese and letting them know your feelings of support for Joe Holleran and request for his reinstatement as principal of St. Lawrence School.

Nearly a year ago then newly appointed MCCS Superintendent Anne Willkens Leach was quoted in the Catholic Courier as saying that

it's important to restore confidence in Catholic schools and the Rochester Diocese, though "I appreciate the (negative) emotions that are still there."

Forcing a well-regarded principal who sticks up for the best interests of his students to resign does nothing to aid our confidence in our Catholic school system.  In fact, it only adds more depth to the pile of negative emotions still out there.

_________________________________

[Anonymous comments are not allowed on this blog.  If you would like to comment you will need a Google ID.  You can get one here.]

Anonymous comments off

Local blogger Lee Strong is taking to task - and rightly so, in my opinion - various commenters on this and other blogs who have been using the cloak of anonymity to post undocumented assertions and outright insults against Bishop Matthew Clark and other members of the local clergy.

While I firmly believe that Matthew Clark's 30 year tenure as Bishop of Rochester has been characterized by far more negatives than positives and that, as a result, the diocese is in such a state of decline that many years of truly orthodox leadership will be required to bring it back to some semblance of its former glory, I also firmly believe that I can make my case by citing documented evidence and by avoiding ad hominems and other insulting language that shed far more heat than light. (I freely admit that I haven't been perfect on that last point at times, but I am trying.)

And so, in order to discourage a bit those who would rather repeat (or start) unsubstantiated rumors or who have never learned the difference between honest criticism and insult, I have turned off anonymous comments on this blog.

Starting today, anyone who wishes to post a comment here must have - and use - a Google ID.  If you do not already have one you can sign up here.

Bishop Clark celebrates 30th quietly

RNews is reporting that Bishop Matthew Clark is quietly celebrating the 30th anniversary of his installation as Bishop of Rochester.

He was installed on June 26, 1979.

On July 15, 2012 the bishop will turn 75 and will be required to submit his resignation to Rome.

Story here.

Channel 13: Two Greece churches may be closing

Last Thursday (June 18) a Channel 13 reporter and cameraman were at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Greece talking with people about the possible closing of the parish.  An OLM parishioner who happened to be present tells me he was told the station was pursuing a "larger story" that involved the situation at OLM.

Last night Channel 13's Patrice Walsh aired the following.  If there is indeed more to come she did not mention it.

Two Roman Catholic churches in the town of Greece could be closing.

Although it’s still a recommendation, with dwindling attendance, mounting bills and a priest shortage, church members fear it will happen.

Jack and Pat Howell's son was married last weekend at Holy Name Church in Greece. The Howells now attend Our Lady of Mercy Church.

Both churches were created at a time when the church was growing and Kodak was hiring.

The future of both parishes is uncertain, at best.

“Yes, we are very attached, we will miss that sense of community” Jack Howell said. “It's a big part of people's lives, it's a big part of our lives.

A committee of the Rochester Catholic Diocese is studying the future of six churches in Greece. It has recommended the closing of the Holy Name of Jesus and Our Lady of Mercy churches.

This is not a mandate; nevertheless parishioners fear it could happen. Some people are sad, others are angry. Attendance at both churches is down, and they must share one priest. Closing both buildings would save an estimated $500,000, which, the committee say,s (sic) could be used to make the four remaining parishes stronger.

Deacon Dick Lombard has worked at both churches. “I'm sad at the possibility. I'm sad for the people…the pain they feel,” he said.

Both churches have been open with parishioners about the recommended closings, but according to the diocese, no final decisions affecting the future of any of the parishes have been adopted by the full committee.

There are several churches within miles of each other in Greece that could absorb people if these churches close.

The diocese cautions that there is no final decision yet, and Bishop Matthew Clark will have the final say.

A decision is expected in six months to a year.

Three weeks ago I reported on this situation here, with a follow-up here.

The backyard Mass, Sr. Joan and The Shack

Is your parish church too far away for you to get to daily Mass? Well, if you live out Fairport way that might not be a problem this summer. All you might have to do is walk across the street to your neighbor's house.

From the St. John of Rochester bulletin ...

Parish Home Masses: will begin next week (June 30) in neighborhoods throughout the parish each Tuesday evening. Please see the one nearest to you and plan to attend. We will celebrate Mass together and then enjoy one another’s company. Those attending are asked call the host family, bring a snack to pass and a lawn chair (if we are able to be outside).

Further details appear elsewhere in the bulletin.

Hosting Family provides the backyard/home, coffee & soft drinks. Neighbors will bring lawn chairs and cookies to share. Find a neighborhood Mass in your area and join Fr. Peter [Clifford] for the celebration of Mass. Please RSVP to the host.

If Mass by the backyard pool isn't for you then SJoR wants you to consider spending an evening with a prophetess instead.

JOAN CHITTISTER, OSB is a most sought after commentator on the concerns of people near and far. Her broad range of books are often reviewed as prophetic! She challenges complacent spirituality with stories that compel our thinking and praying. She has received accolades as a speaker who draws people to retreats and conferences all over the world. Her books win fans from many perspectives because they are both readable and profound.

We are truly blessed that she will speak on “Prophets Are Needed Today” at Church of the Assumption, 20 East Ave., Fairport at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, June 24. Her books will be available for purchase—and she will autograph! No need to call ahead for reservations. (Free will donations will be gratefully accepted)

Finally, if really loopy theology is your thing, SJoR would like you to be aware of your chance to meet William P. Young, author of The Shack. For those unfamiliar with the book, one reviewer sees it as something of a failed allegory, in that it distorts to one degree or another the deep truths that are supposed to be at the heart of that genre, while another calls it "Oprah-fiction for the emergent Christian which offers the ultimate 'God is my buddy' head trip."

The summer is off to a great start and our friends at SJoR don't want us to miss a minute of it.

Update: The first comment below reminds us that SJoR is one of the DOR parishes featuring lay preaching, a practice outlawed by Rome but allowed by Bishop Clark.

I checked out the most recent mp3 (available here) and heard the priest or deacon preach for exactly 70 seconds and then invite Pastoral Associate Barbara Hesenius to continue with her "reflection." Ms. Hesenius held forth for almost 11 minutes, in places amplifying significantly on her prepared text (see here) and finishing up with a version of name-it-and-claim-it theology that I can only describe as a new experience for me (11:37 into the recording).