Dear
Parishioners,
I
think that a few clarifications and explanations are necessary for the good of
our parish at this time. Based on
various conversations I have had with people throughout the parish, I hope that
I will be able to shed some light on matters currently being questioned.
First,
there are two fundraising efforts
taking place simultaneously throughout the diocese. Hopefully, you are familiar with the annual House of Charity appeal which directly supports the charitable endeavors of
the diocese. This appeal is nothing new to
the diocese since it was begun by the late Bishop Guilfoyle many years ago. In addition, the Catholic Strong appeal
was more recently initiated to help individual
parishes with more long-range projects/goals like building repairs and upkeep as
well as parish ministries. By design, seventy
percent (70%) of what is raised in this appeal stays right in the parish to accomplish whatever is needed. This appeal is set up for a three to five year period in which we
are asked to make a pledge towards the future legacy of our parish/church. Please remember that the contributions of
many others helped to build what we already have and we are being asked to make
an ongoing gift to sustain Holy Angels Parish into the future.
Next,
I want to update you on the sale of the former Most Holy Redeemer campus.
Plans continue for settlement on this property, scheduled to take place
at the end of February. Deptford Township is the intended buyer. The
proceeds of the sale will be put primarily towards the reduction of our $2.5 million parish debt. While the sale will not eliminate this
debt completely, it should make a significant impact.
The
necessity of the purchase of the property on 81 Cooper Street has been questioned by some, especially when the
parish has so much debt. Let me take the
time to explain the rationale behind this purchase. While the office staff has worked out of the Cooper
Street rectory for many years, this is far from an ideal situation. No one really should live and work in the same building day after day. The lack of privacy is an important concern.
Currently, we are fortunate that there are four priests living
here. (In addition, one priest lives at
the rectory in National Park.) However,
not one priest (or deacon) currently has an office to work out of or conduct
parish business in Woodbury. There is
simply not enough room. We work out of
the common living room or on the dining room table.
As
pastor, I have not had an office of my own for the past year and a half. Monsignor DiMauro had plans to move the
parish offices into a remodeled Green
Hotel (where our current parking lot is), but the plans were unworkable, the
hotel was razed and became our additional parking lot. Once 81
Cooper Street is renovated, there will be offices for the parish staff
(secretary, ministry coordinator, receptionist, bookkeeper), the priests and deacons, the religious
education personnel, a meeting room and various other areas like a small
kitchen and lunch area. It will
consolidate most of our offices in one central location across from the church
and rectory and with adequate adjacent parking.
Some Catholic Strong funds are
earmarked for this project.
Finally,
we continue to have serious concerns over other properties including the Ministry Center (former convent) which
needs substantial, costly repairs. This
building, in particular, has been a topic of discussion and worry for many
years prior to my becoming pastor.
I
will attempt to keep you up-to-date on these and other matters as things
continue to evolve. Please pray for me
as I will for you!
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
Holy Angels Rectory
81 Cooper St.
Ministry Center
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