BishopAccountability.org
	St. Henry's Parishioners Pledge to Keep Church Open WWL July 1, 2008 http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl063008tpsthenry's.f1f8693.html A meeting between parishioners of St. Henry's Church and facilitators meant to ease the transition for the eventual closing of the parish met for a very short time Monday night before displeased church members asked them to leave. St. Henry's is one of about two dozen churches slated to be closed by the Archdiocese of New Orleans by the end of the year. Members of the parish have been so upset since their church was among those on the closing list that they've sought advice from outsiders and even have plans to set up a vigil inside of the church to prevent it from being shuttered. Members showed up Monday night with pillows, blankets, food and water in case they needed to set up shop at the Uptown church. They took those supplies home after being assured that the church wasn't going to be closed immediately. A couple of facilitators from the Archdiocese spoke to the group but church members took over, saying the facilitators weren't addressing their needs. One member jumped up and said vocally that the speakers had "come to the table with nothing. You're wasting our time." That statement was met with cheers and applause and then speakers from the church group began talking about why St. Henry's was so important to them. "We don't want to be thought of as defying our archbishop," said Marie Garon of St. Henry's. "We want it understood that we are loyal, devoted Catholics who are asking the archbishop to dialogue with us." Spokesperson Sarah Comiskey said the Archdiocese hasn't changed its position on closing St. Henry's or the other churches that were named in the plan. "It's comforting to know that people feel a connection to this church, this parish and we hope they can bring that same zeal for their faith and their parish life to the new parish," she said.
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