BishopAccountability.org
	Priests Reflect on Area's Own Church Mergers By Mark Gilger News Item June 3, 2008 http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19740903&BRD=2715&PAG=461&dept_id=558782&rfi=6 The heartaches and challenges now being experienced with the consolidation of parishes in the Diocese of Allentown were very real emotions for area Catholics 13 years ago when churches in the Shamokin and Mount Carmel area were merged. Local priests who went through the process in 1995 shared their thoughts about the impending closing of 32 Catholic churches in Schuylkill County. "It's a difficult process, but realities have to be faced," said the Rev. Raymond Orloski, pastor of Holy Angels Church in Kulpmont since 1995. "Change is frightening and closing churches is definitely a traumatic change in people's lives. But Catholics must realize that they will still have a church and priest who serves them." Orloski is a native of the former St. Casimir Church in Kulpmont, which was part of the consolidation process that the Harrisburg Diocese underwent which led to the formation of Holy Angels Church. He added, "I know what the people in the Allentown Diocese are going through because I went through it myself. All that they knew as a church is coming to an end, but their faith shouldn't end because their parish is closing. It's sad, but there just aren't enough priests to staff all those parishes." Priests across the Allentown Diocese read a letter from Bishop Edward P. Cullen during Masses this past weekend, announcing the restructuring plan. On July 15, 32 Catholic churches in Schuylkill County will close and 21 priests will be reassigned, retire or go on leave. The massive restructuring plan will reduce the number of parishes in the diocese by 47 and close more than half the churches in Schuylkill County. The Allentown Diocese projects that by June 2009, there will be 115 priests available for parish ministry. The diocese currently has 151 parishes. In 1995, 10 churches in the Mount Carmel area were closed during the consolidation process. The Church of Our Lady, St. Ignatius in Centralia, St. Joseph in Mount Carmel, St. Joseph in Locust Gap and St. Joseph in Locust Dale were consolidated to form the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. On the other end of the borough, Mother of Consolation Church, Holy Cross Church, St. Peter Church and St. John the Baptist Church, and St. Paul's Chapel in Atlas, merged to form Divine Redeemer Church. St. Casimir and St. Mary's churches in Kulpmont and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Marion Heights also were consolidated in 1995 to form Holy Angels Church. In Shamokin and Coal Township, seven churches were closed 13 years ago. St. Edward, St. Stanislaus, St. Mary's, St. Michael and St. Anthony in Ranshaw in the east end of the community were consolidated to form Mother Cabrini Church. St. Stephen and St. Joseph churches merged to form Our Lady of Hope Church in the west end of Coal Township. St. Patrick Church in Trevorton and Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Elysburg remained open during the consolidation process. The Very Rev. Francis J. Karwacki, pastor of Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel since 2005, served as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Williamstown and Our Lady Help of Christian Church in Lykens following the consolidation in 1995. He said, "We learned that the consolidations in our diocese were necessary due to a significant population decrease and shortage of priests, and now the Allentown Diocese is experiencing the same thing. Eventually, the wounds from the closing of churches will be healed. "It will take time, but it's important for people to see the church as not just a building, but as their faith community, and stay involved in that community. It's important for parishioners from the various churches to bring their ideas and customs into their new Catholic faith community," Karwacki said. Karwacki said he established the following motto while serving as pastor of the churches in Williamstown and Lykens that applies to church consolidations: "Work together to help each other grow stronger." He believes living by that motto will help ease the sorrow and burden connected to the closing of churches. Karwacki also served as pastor at St. Casimir Church, Kulpmont; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Marion Heights; Our Lady of Hope Church, Coal Township, and St. Patrick Church, Trevorton. For restructuring purposes, the Diocese of Allentown has been divided into 33 deanery regions, and plans were prepared on a region-by-region basis, although plans will not be approved for some regions until 2009. In Schuylkill County, final plans are pending in the Shenandoah, Frackville, Girardville and Ashland areas.
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