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	In Cambria City, Challenges Can Lead to Opportunities By Chip Minemyer The Tribune-Democrat March 21, 2008 http://www.tribune-democrat.com/editorials/local_story_081093830.html On this Easter Sunday, I'm reminded that even the darkest and most challenging times can lead to second chances and new opportunities. Folks who attend each of five Roman Catholic churches in Johnstown's Cambria City neighborhood are battling to save their places of worship as well as a parochial school. And while people can say it's not a church structure that's important, but rather the congregation, those who attend a church for a period of time do become attached to it, both spiritually and emotionally. Each of those Cambria City churches represents a place where couples were married, their children baptized and their loved ones memorialized. And churches, although just buildings, are indeed the places where many people's lives are changed. I am heartened by the willingness of the Altoona-Johnstown Catholic Diocese to meet with pastors concerning the planned closure of four churches. It would be even better to see the bishop sit down with parishioners and talk about this decision and the potential ramifications. I am also pleased that the diocese says it is willing to "reach out to Johnstown civic and cultural leaders," according to a statement, concerning the future of the church buildings. St. Columba, Immaculate Conception, St. Rochus, St. Stephen and SS. Casimir & Emerich all have historical, ethnic and architectural significance for our community. As a younger man, I went through a church merger that was probably necessary, but certainly not easy. I grew up in a small town with two United Methodist churches located about 200 yards apart. The church leaders faced some difficult choices. At both churches, pews were not full on Sunday mornings and some of the people who had been central to parish programs had passed on. Finances were growing tight, and the buildings needed work. In the true biblical sense, the writing was on the wall. At first, the churches reached out by holding joint services and sharing their spiritual gifts. Eventually that wasn't enough to fix the problems both congregations faced. When talk of formally merging the churches came up, some members of each congregation reacted with anger. Some people left the churches, while others promised to do so if the merger went through. Both congregations voted, and the proposal was defeated. Sadly, most of those who had left did not come back. Several years later, talk of merging was revived and this time approved. Services soon were being held in the more modern of the two buildings. And more people stopped coming. Eventually, the older church building the one I had attended as a child was torn down. There is now physically and spiritually one church in that small town. This was not a merger forced by an outside governing body. Rather, it was a coming together forged out of necessity. And still there were hard feelings and some who chose to not be a part of the change. Regardless of how things eventually work out in Cambria City, it is my hope that all parties involved church parishioners and pastors, as well as the diocese can come together and work toward a smooth transition. It will take patience, compassion and lots of prayer. And it won't be easy. No doubt some people will be missing from the services should one church buildingbe chosen from among the five. But those who remain can find new light at the end of this challenging time.
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