Documentation of Meeting with Bishop

Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc.

770 Lantern Hill Road

Shavertown, Pennsylvania18708

(570) 696-3169

February 20, 2008

Most Rev. Joseph F. Martino, D.D. Hist. E.D.

Bishop of Scranton

Diocese of Scranton

300 Wyoming Avenue

Scranton, Pennsylvania18503

Subject:           Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

                        Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Dear Bishop Martino,

I would like to personally thank you for your meeting on February 8, 2008 with the officers of our foundation to discuss the many issues of concern to us and other parishioners.  You were most gracious and personable, and we deeply appreciate your time and interest.

Attached is a summary of the topics that were discussed, per our notes and recollection.  You and all the attendees, by copy of this letter to the participants listed below, are requested to review this attachment.  Please advise promptly of any discrepancies or omissions, or if anything discussed has been misconstrued or misrepresented.

We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to open dialogue with you, the pastor, and the diocesan administration.  We realize that many of the issues discussed need further investigation and a final resolution.  We look forward to future meetings with you and your representatives to participate in the studies and to assist with the planning and decision making process regarding the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Noreen W. Foti

President, Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc.

CC:      Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty

            Msgr. Vincent J. Grimalia, V.G.

Msgr. Joseph C. Bambera, V.E., Canonical Consultant for Pastoral Planning

Father Philip A. Altavilla, E.V. for the Northern Pastoral Region

Father Michael F. Quinnan, E.V. for the Southern Pastoral Region

Msgr. John Sempa, Pastor Sacred Heart – St. John Parish

Mr. James Quinn, Diocesan Sec. for Financial Services & Chief Financial Officer

Mr. James B. Earley, Chancellor

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION

MEETING WITH BISHOP

February 8, 2008

ATTENDEES:

Most Rev. Joseph F. Martino, Bishop of Scranton

Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty

Father James Conn, S.J.

Msgr. John Sempa, Pastor Sacred Heart – St. John Parish

Deacon Peter Hoegen

Father Michael F. Quinnan, E.V. for the Southern Pastoral Region

James B. Earley, Chancellor

Noreen W. Foti, President, Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc.

Mary Ann Petrenchak, Vice-President, Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc.

Michael Horvath, Secretary, Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc.

David Tarantini, Treasurer, Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc.

May Jean Tarantini, Director, Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc.

DISCUSSION:

1. Reason for the formation of and mission of our foundation:
   1. The founders of the foundation envision the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wilkes-Barre repaired, restored, and maintained as the premiere church in the north Wilkes-Barre area.
   2. We have many questions concerning parish finances and the status of our church that have yet to be answered.  The following are examples:

             i.      March 2, 2007 letter to Monsignor Sempa not answered.

            ii.      June 11, 2007 letter to Monsignor Bambera never answered.

           iii.      November 17, 2007 letter to Monsignor Sempa not answered.

           iv.      November 23, 2007 letter to Mr. Quinn not answered.

             v.      January 14, 2008 letter to Mr. Quinn not answered.

            vi.      January 14, 2008 letter to Msgr. Sempa not answered.

3. We hope to participate in the discussions regarding our church, and  believe parishioners should be informed of different viewpoints.  

2.Future of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church:

1. It was confirmed that no decision had been made regarding the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
2. However, the decisions and actions thus far are leading to the closure of the church.

                i.      February 14, 2007 letter from Msgr. Bambera

               ii.      May 31, 2007 letter to Parishioners from Msgr. Sempa

               iii.      Lack of appropriate care for church.

               iv.      Reduction of services at Sacred Heart of Jesus church

3. Current neglect of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and other church property:
   1. Windows are often left open during rain storms.
   2. Church is often cold during mass.

                 i.      Cold exacerbates water damage

                ii.      Cold may damage artwork (inappropriate temperature for artwork).

3. Storm windows are not being used.
4. Church was built to last more than a couple of generations. 

   e.  Priority has always been given to the school, resulting in the neglect of the church.          Maintaining catholic education in the parish has always been a priority, in spite of         the adverse financial impact.

  4.   Classification of Parish: territorial versus personal:

1. Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish was established as a Personal Parish.
2. St. John the Evangelist Parish was established as a Territorial Parish.
3. St. John Parish was absorbed into Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
4. Name of parish changed to welcome St. John parishioners into parish community.  (Sacred Heart – St. John Parish)
5. Follow-up investigation is required to verify:

                 i.      St. John Parish was permanently suppressed.

                ii.      Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish as a personal parish has not changed.

               iii.      Cannon Laws 121, 122, and 123 need to be investigated in light of the                          classification of Sacred Heart – St. John Parish prior to any decision                          regarding Sacred Heart of Jesus church.

5. Parish assessment for schools and the other diocesan assessments need reexamination:
   1. As presented in great detail in numerous analysis and correspondence between Mr. Quinn and the Foti’s, school subsidy assessments for 2007 – 2008 are not fair or equitable, as shown below:

 

PARISH	2005-2006 INCOME BASE	2007-2008 ASSESS.	PERCENTAGE OF INCOME BASE
Sacred Heart-St. John (Wilkes-Barre)	$517,323	$232,144	44.87%
Gate of Heaven (Dallas)	$517,400	$177,070	34.22%
St. Peter's Cathedral (Scranton)	$517,721	$87,382	16.88%
Assessment Without Cap	$517,000	$129,250	25.00%
St. Luke's (Stroudsburg)	$934,430	$152,226	16.29%

 

   6.   Issues with the pastor:

1. Many examples were presented which illustrated Msgr. Sempa’s questionable behavior towards certain parishioners in the past.
2. Msgr. Sempa has refused contributions and voluntary help from parishioners to rebuild the pavilion at cemetery park.
3. Examples were presented of attempts to give away artwork and artifacts (efforts to stop were threatened with criminal prosecution).  Questions were raised concerning the current status and whereabouts of certain artwork and artifacts.
4. An officer of our foundation was unfairly dismissed from Finance Committee after decades of service, and characterized as “untrustworthy”.  (This occurred prior to the formation of the foundation).
5. There have been no parish meetings since November 6, 2006 (presentation of Restoration Plan, followed by 250 signatures to Letter of Support for project).
6. Examples presented of Msgr. Sempa’s dislike of the church and its altars and architecture.

   7.   Call to Holiness Study and our hope to participate and cooperate:

1. Our offer and desire to participate in this study and the various parish committees was reiterated.

   8.   Parish Finances and Demographics:

1. It was noted that our parish continues to be falsely portrayed as small, old and an aging remnant of a declining ethnic culture.
2. There is a large, strong population of descendants of the original parishioners and parish founders.
3. In actuality, parish income has remained fairly constant

              i.      Averages in excess of $500,000 annually, ranking the parish in the top                       15% of all 215 parishes in the diocese.

4. When the school subsidy assessment is corrected, and Sacred Heart – St. John Parish is assessed at the standard 25% rate, the parish will have a net income of about $90,000 annually.

               i.      Even with this year’s excessive assessment, the subsidy payment will be                       $83,000 less than last year, virtually eliminating last year’s  net loss of                       $92,000.

              ii.      This is in contrast to Msgr. Sempa’s warning as recently as October 21,                        2007 that the parish will be broke and the parish savings will be depleted                        by early summer.

   9.   Liquidation of parish property – cemetery land and school building

1. Sale of cemetery property.
2. Decision to sell school building was made without parishioner input.

                i.      No options or alternatives presented or discussed.

               ii.      No opportunity (i.e. parish meeting) to discuss other ideas.

I believe the above to be a fairly accurate documentation of our discussions at the meeting and the issues that were addressed, and I trust these agree with your recollection.  Please review and advise promptly of any discrepancies, or if I have misrepresented or misconstrued any of the discussion or remarks.