Request to Defer Sale of Sacred Heart School

pending completion of Called to Holiness study

Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc.

770 Lantern Hill Road

Shavertown, Pennsylvania18708

(570) 696-3169

February 20, 2008

Msgr. John Sempa and Members of the Finance Committee

666 North Main Street

Wilkes-Barre, PA18705

Mr. James B. Earley

Diocese of Scranton

300 Wyoming Avenue

Scranton, Pennsylvania18503

Subject:           Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

                        Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Dear Msgr. Sempa and Mr. Earley,

At our recent meeting with Bishop Martino on February 8, 2008, we learned that no decision had been made regarding the future of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.  Also, upon the completion of the Call to Holiness Study, the Bishop will make the final decisions regarding the future of diocesan parishes: which churches would be closed, which parishes would be suppressed or merged, etc.  Considering this study and process will take over a year to complete, we respectfully request that the sale of the Sacred Heart School be suspended pending the completion of this study.  Also, we request that any capital improvements or major expenditures for St. Stanislaus church (i.e.: addition of restroom) also be halted and deferred pending the completion of the study.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Noreen W. Foti

President, Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc.

CC:      Most Rev. Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D., Bishop of Scranton

            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

Father James Alco, Assistant Pastor

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