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ANTHONY S. FOTI
NOREEN W. FOTI
770 Lantern Hill Road
Shavertown, Pennsylvania18708
(570) 696-3169
February 2, 2007
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,
As you know, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (Sacred Heart) in Wilkes-Barre, PA is in need of significant repairs. You have received the same presentations that have been made for the parishioners since May of 2002, which clearly illustrate the causes and extent of the problems, and the work required to correct these deficiencies. We are all well aware of the magnitude of this undertaking, and the associated costs. The parishioners are also aware of the debt owed by the Sacred Heart – St. John’s Parish Community to the Diocese.
There is a core group of parishioners of Sacred Heart that do not want to see this church close or deteriorate further, and who want to see the required repairs and renovations undertaken. To this end, I have, with much assistance from my wife Noreen, developed a comprehensive, multi-phase plan to address the above issues. The benefits of this plan include:
· Repayment of the debt owed by the parish to the diocese
· Completion of the repairs and restoration of the church and associated grounds
· Providing a Church large enough to accommodate the North Wilkes-Barre area
This plan was first presented to our Pastor, Msgr. Sempa, and other Parish Administration, on August 4, 2005. A follow-up presentation was made to the parish Finance Committee on June 7, 2006, and a formal presentation was made to parishioners at a Parish Meeting held on November 6, 2006. After the parish meeting, 244 parishioners voiced their overwhelming support for this plan by signing a Letter of Support (copy attached). These parishioners voicing their unsolicited support are only a sampling of the parishioners and do not represent the magnitude of the total support of the parish community.
CC: Monsignor John J. Sempa, Pastor, Sacred Heart-St. John’s Parish Community
Monsignor Joseph C. Bambera, V.E., Episcopal Vicar
I wish I could report that this plan has the support of our Pastor, Parish Administration and his Finance Committee, as this is the only plan that has been developed or presented to address the needs of this magnificent House of God. Unfortunately, their preference is to ignore the needs of this church and the desire of the parishioners, and simply let the church close its doors. Of the seven lay members of the Finance Committee, five from the former St. John’s church have been members since the merger of the two churches in 1994. Three of these five have often publicly voiced their opinion that SacredHeartChurch should be closed as well. Under the Finance Committee stewardship, money the parish did not have was spent on school related renovations, programs, and operating expenses, resulting in the enormous debt that the parish has incurred. As recently as 2005, $190,000 was spent for capital improvements to the school. These finance committee members, anxious now to close the church, made no effort to reign in school expenses or close the school. Although the parish can be commended for maintaining its catholic school while all other parishes in North Wilkes-Barre closed their schools many years ago, the financial consequences of the finance committee decisions are substantial. Their actions may be partially responsible for the disenchantment of parishioners, as evidenced by the faltering financial support of the parish. Of the 21% of registered parishioners who contribute to parish, many hold back on the amount of their contributions due to concerns over the way the money is managed, lack of influence in major decision making, and the overall direction of the parish or lack thereof. Clearly, the opinions expressed by the Finance Committee do not reflect the interests of the parishioners, are not in the best interest of the parish, and, considering their track record, should be evaluated accordingly.
This is not to say that that the difficulties this parish experiences in meeting its on going operating expenses should be ignored. Like all parishes in the diocese that have their own elementary schools, Sacred Heart has been unable to cover all its expenses while continuing to subsidize its catholic school. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, operating expenses exceeded income by over $25,000. Of the $516,000 collected as income, $271,000 (52.5%) went to school subsidies (approximately $235,000 to SacredHeartSchool, and approximately $36,000 to Bishop Hoban). For the first six months of this year (July 1 through Dec. 31, 2006), the operating expenses exceed income by over $32,000. In spite of these deficits, parishioners continue to generously contribute to various social and community needs, in response to pleas from our pastor.
Clearly, the financial burden of supporting the elementary catholic school has been overwhelming, and is the major cause of the debt that is due to the diocese. This school has been supported for 99 years by the parishioners. The recently announced restructuring of catholic school education within the diocese, in particular the consolidation and closing of schools, should drastically reduce this burden on those parishes, such as Sacred Heart, which have had to subsidize its school for years. For example, a mere 15% reduction in the school subsidy payments would allow this parish to operate in the black at the current level of support by parishioners.
In the face of shifting demographics and the acute shortage of priests, parishioners recognize the burden on the Diocese to reorganize and consolidate parishes. SacredHeartChurch is now at a crossroads. The 244 unsolicited parishioners who signed the Letter of Support are a representative sample of the parish population who do not want to see the church close, and are willing to do everything in their power to save this church. I believe I reflect the vision of those parishioners to see SacredHeartChurch restored in all its grandeur to accommodate the North Wilkes-Barre demographic area. This large, magnificent church has substantial seating capacity, ample parking, is out of the flood plain, and is handicap accessible with an elevator that was added in 1998 for $181,000.
Our proposed capital improvement plan addresses the needs of the church, repayment of the debt to the diocese, and fundraising requirements. The parishioners deserve the opportunity to raise the funds necessary to implement this plan. A decision of this magnitude should not be made without the input of all parishioners.
With all due respect, it is imperative that I be given the opportunity to show you a PowerPoint presentation of this plan. Written transcripts of the parish meetings and of our presentation do not do justice to this plan and the work expended in its development. As called for in Vatican II (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 126), Bishops “must be very careful to see that sacred furnishings and works of value are not disposed of or allowed to deteriorate; for they are the house of God”. Considering this is the only plan that has been developed to preserve this church for future generations, it should not be ignored.
Please advise when a meeting can be scheduled to present this plan, and how to obtain the required approvals and endorsements for this plan so that the fundraising activities can commence. The only true measure of the ability of the parish to financially support this project will be its success in raising the required funds. At the Parish Meeting on October 17, 2006 attended by Regional Vicar Msgr. Bambera, it was made clear that the diocese needs to approve any capital improvement plan before soliciting any pledges or funds. We have been attempting to move forward with this plan since our initial presentation to Msgr. Sempa and Parish Administration nearly 18 months ago, but the process appears to take two steps backward for every step forward. Parishioners are anxious to pledge their financial support and raise the necessary funds, but we seem to be going around in circles. Your assistance and guidance through the required approval process would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Anthony S. Foti
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