The following article appeared in The Citizens' Voice on
June 21, 2007
Couples lead fight to save church
Staff Writer
WILKES-BARRE — It faces millions of dollars in repairs, mounting debts and an uncertain future, but a group of Sacred Heart of Jesus parishioners wants to restore their 99-year-old North Main Street church and preserve it for future generations.
Tony and Noreen Foti and Dave and Mary Jean Tarantini head a committee working to repair the church even though the Diocese of Scranton wants no part in the project.
The Fotis and Tarantinis will host a meeting today at 7 p.m. at Genetti's Hotel and Convention Center in Wilkes-Barre to talk about their restoration plans. The meeting will be open to parishioners, but closed to the media, the Fotis' said.
The parish faces $700,000 of debts and a "tenuous" financial situation, according to a report the diocese released last year when it announced school closings. Sacred Heart's school was one of six Luzerne County Catholic elementary schools the diocese shut at the end of the 2007 school year.
The diocese reported the Sacred Heart parish would not be financially able to support a school. Repairs would total $250,000 in the next five years at the school and $3 million at the church, according to the report.
But Tony Foti thinks the $3 million figure is exaggerated. He estimates church repairs will cost about $2 million.
"We have addressed a comprehensive plan to address everything, including the debt, in many phases spread out over time," Foti said Wednesday inside the church. "We know the church needs work and repairs. A lot of parishioners want to take a proactive step to raise funds so that this church can be around for generations to come."
The Scranton Diocese will allow Sacred Heart to remain open, at least for now.
Next month, Sacred Heart's pastor, Monsignor John Sempa, will take on additional responsibilities as pastor of nearby St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, while he continues to serve Sacred Heart.
In a letter to Sacred Heart parishioners, Sempa explained a representative of Scranton Diocese Bishop Joseph F. Martino said repairing the church would be "an irresponsible use of funds."
The church has 1,090 families in the parish, which includes active and inactive members. Each family would have to contribute about $2,300 if the repairs cost $2.5 million, Sempa said in the letter.
"The sad reality of life is that our parish is indeed in a precarious situation like so many throughout our Diocese," Sempa wrote. "Sacred Heart of Jesus church building is not closing next Sunday or next week or next month. It will remain open as long as we can ensure that our people are safe and our worship is offered in a dignified space."
Sempa's letter warned parishioners, "But given the burdens that the restoration of our church building would likely place upon so many of you... it is not our plan to embark upon such a costly project."
Many parishioners are aging and many young people are relocating. In 2006, there were seven baptisms at the parish compared to 45 funerals of parishioners, Sempa wrote.
"Clearly, as in so many parishes in the area, our numbers are decreasing rapidly" Sempa wrote. "In light of that fact, we simply no longer have a sufficient number of parishioners to raise the necessary funds and more importantly to maintain a repaired, but still old church building well into the future."
Foti, an engineer, his wife and the Tarantinis are still hopeful. They hope to kick off a fund-raising campaign next year on May 30, the 100th anniversary of the church.
"The parish now finds itself at a crossroad," Noreen Foti said. "We believe this magnificent basilica-type church should be restored to serve the faithful for the next 100 years and beyond."
dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com. 570-821-2715 |
