ANTHONY S. FOTI
NOREEN W. FOTI
770 Lantern Hill Road
Shavertown, Pennsylvania18708
(570) 696-3169
March 2, 2007
Rev. Msgr. John J. Sempa, Pastor
Sacred Heart – St. John’s Parish Community
601 North Main Street
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania18705
Subject: Proposed Capital Improvement Plan
Sacred Heart – St. John’s Parish Community
Dear Msgr. Sempa,
Per the letter from Msgr. Bambera, V.E. dated February 14, 2007, I am following his instructions to maintain communication with you regarding our concerns.
Although I am disappointed that our request for a meeting with Bishop Martino to present our plan has still not been granted, I am delighted to learn that efforts are underway to “respond to the … physical needs of this faith community” (par. 5), and that the Bishop “agrees with (your) assessment of the current parish needs and the manner of resolving them” (par. 6).
When Noreen and I last met with you on Sunday morning, January 28, 2007 to review the status of our plan, you confirmed that this plan remained the only plan that had been submitted or proposed to restore and preserve the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Furthermore, you advised that you did not know of the procedures or process to obtain approval or permission to initiate the fundraising activities.
I now learn from Msgr. Bambera that not only have you presented a plan to respond to the deterioration of the church (i.e.: physical need), but that this plan and direction is supported by and has been approved by the Bishop. Praise be to God that so much progress has been made in such a short period of time!
Myself, and the large and ever increasing block of loyal parishioners who support plans to preserve this church, as well as the entire parish are anxiously waiting to learn the details of this approved plan that “addresses the precarious condition of the parish plant and its future” (par. 6). I therefore request that you schedule a parish meeting at the earliest possible time to present your approach to this crisis and the “direction you have established for the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Saint John parish” (par. 6) to the entire parish. I think you owe this to the parishioners.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.
Sincerely,
Anthony S. Foti
CC: Monsignor Joseph C. Bambera, V.E., Episcopal Vicar
Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D. Hist. E.D., Bishop of Scranton
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