About Our Foundation
On May 7, 2002, parishioners of the Sacred Heart - St. John Parish in Wilkes-Barre, PA learned during a parish meeting of the deterioration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, and of the repairs and restoration that would be required in order to preserve this historical ethnic church. Parishioners were also advised of the financial position of the parish, including its debt, and were challenged to address these issues. A group of concerned, interested parishioners worked together, and developed a multi-phase comprehensive plan to repair and restore this church, school, and grounds, as well as repay the existing debt due the diocese. Upon completion of a rigorous approval process with the pastor and finance committee, a parish meeting was held on November 6, 2006 to present this plan to the parishioners. The plan was immediately supported by over 250 parishioners.
Unfortunately, at that time, our pastor and bishop did not believe that any money should be raised to save this church. To the contrary, funds are being transferred from the parish to the diocese through excessive and unfair assessments, creating a bleak financial picture of the parish.
The core group of concerned parishioners interested in preserving this church have taken pro-active measures to repair and restore this church. In October 2007, this 501 (c) (3)non-profit corporation was established. It has always been our desire to work with the pastor and diocese to ensure that Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wilkes-Barre will be the premier worship site for the catholic faithful in the North Wilkes-Barre area for generations to come.
The bishop's Call to Holiness and Mission study has provided an opportunity for our foundation to work in cooperation with the diocese to address the challenges facing our church in conjunction with the challenges facing the diocese. On February 8, 2008 the officers of our foundation had a meeting with and at the request of the Bishop. The Auxiliary Bishop, Canonical Consultant to the Bishop, Chancellor, our Episcopal Vicar, Pastor, and Deacon, were also in attendance. The Bishop and Auxiliary Bishop were very gracious, personable, and were very much interested in our foundation and its mission. This meeting opened dialogue and both parties found it very helpful. The Bishop acknowledged all our work and expense and thanked us for our efforts. He expressed sincere appreciation and assured us of future meetings between the Diocese and our foundation. An important outcome of this meeting was the Bishop’s mandate that a member of the foundation be included on the Parish Core Team. Effective February 20, 2008, Noreen W. Foti, President of the Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc., was assigned.
We remain committed to our mission to repair, restore, and maintain the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. We envision this church, upon completion of the repairs and restoration, to be the premier Roman Catholic Church in North Wilkes-Barre. This church has large seating capacity, restroom and elevator, is out of the flood plain, is historically significant, and is a beautiful House of God worthy of being saved. Furthermore we believe our parish has earned this privilege because of our unwavering commitment to catholic elementary education for 99 years. According to parish published financial statements, during the past seven years, just over $1,500,000 of your parish income has gone towards school subsidies, plus additional funds for capital improvements (mostly for the school building). Over the years, 7 catholic elementary schools within two blocks to two miles of Sacred Heart have closed. (Three located on the same street as SacredHeartSchool). Our parish has kept its school open at great expense and to the detriment of our financial position and neglect of our church building.
We believe we must work together to maintain this sacred place that was built by our ancestors in the faith. We believe our church was built to serve the needs of generation after generation just as we pass on our faith from one generation to the next. We believe that our church was built to be a permanent structure, built on the firm foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself the chief cornerstone. Some may say we have lost sight of the universal church, but the very existence and permanence of our church structure reflects qualities of the universal church, witnessing to the permanence of the Gospel and Christian society. We believe a church is a perpetual reminder of Christ’s presence in a particular place active in the world. What message will large, beautiful, empty churches signal to non-Catholics? The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “visible churches are not simply gathering places but signify and make visible the Church living in this place, the dwelling of God with men reconciled and united with Christ.” This church and parish community has been a pillar of the community. Catholic identity, presence and impact will greatly diminish in any neighborhood where a parish church is closed.
As we continue to move forward in our efforts through participation in the Bishop’s Call to Holiness Study, we once again ask for your support. If you share our vision, we encourage you to please enroll as a member of our foundation. In a press release, Msgr. Vincent Grimalia, Director of this Pastoral Planning Project, stated “the insight we receive at the parish level will guide our journey.” Voice your concerns and desires. You cannot wait to see what happens. Now is the time to stand up and be counted. Silent deference will certainly spell demise for your church. Take action now before your church is gone forever.
We are a private, nonprofit 501 (c) (3) corporation and require no dues, membership fees, or financial commitment from members. The membership list will be protected and held in strict confidence. It will not be shared with any other organization.
Thank you for your consideration. |
To preserve, maintain and protect the Sacred Heart of Jesus Chruch in Wilkes-Barre, PA and its contents, and other religious sites and artifacts of Slovak heritage. Initially, the corporation will fund a major captial improvement project for the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
