After Losing Church Recognition, Ministry Interested in Millbury Site
By Bronislaus B. Kush
Telegram & Gazette
August 25, 2008
http://www.telegram.com/article/20080825/NEWS/808250503/1006/NEWSLETTERS07
WORCESTER— There might be a lull or two, but it's a given that at just about any time of the day, the telephone at the former convent building on Chrome Street that now houses the Community of Teresian Carmelites will ring with a caller reaching out for spiritual help.
It might be a call from a parent concerned about a very sick child or from a person losing a battle to alcoholism or drug abuse.
"The phone might be quiet for some time but then it will ring and ring," said Arlene Wyrzkowski, a lay member of the religious community. "There's always someone asking that we pray for them, someone looking for help. And we'll always be there."
Despite recently losing their formal church recognition, members of the Carmelite community said they won't disband and have vowed to continue their ministry.
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| Brother Dennis-Anthony Wyrzkowski talks about the plans for the Community of Teresian Carmelites. Photo by Chris Christo |
"We'll continue to exist as a private association of Christ's faithful, without the bishop's recognition," said Brother Dennis Wyrzkowski, the community's prior and the son of Mrs. Wyrzkowski. "Our baptism and canon law give us the right to continue our work."
On Aug. 14, Bishop Robert J. McManus officially dissolved the diocese's recognition of the Carmelites, saying the community was too small to sustain itself and there was little possibility of growth.
The community was founded in 1971 and started out as a small prayer group meeting in the Wyrzkowski's family home in Worcester.
It later became more formally organized and operated for a time from property owned by an order on Massachusetts Avenue. The community moved to Chrome Street in 1984.
As it grew, members became involved in work at various parishes, serving as catechism teachers and Eucharistic ministers. They also offered Bible study programs and helped nursing home and hospital patients.
Former Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan in 1980 recognized the group as a "house of prayer" and the community worked at formally becoming established as an order.
But chancery officials have recently maintained that the Carmelites, who pay their expenses and conduct their ministries with donations, have lost substantial membership and are no longer viable.
According to the Carmelites, there are now three "consecrated" members, who have taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and 35 lay members.
They insist they don't need a large membership to effectively conduct a meaningful ministry.
"We don't want to become a large institution and we don't want to lose the integrity of the relationships among our current members," said Brother Wyrzkowski. "We have a healthy community in place now."
He said many church leaders have forgotten that the early Christian groups that went into the Middle Eastern deserts to get away from the trappings of the civilized world were very small.
The Carmelites said they're hoping the bishop will reconsider his decision but added chancery officials have rebuffed their efforts to meet over the issue.
"Our prayer is that the bishop will meet with us, perhaps coming here for dinner or spending some time with us to see what we do," said Sister Nancy Connors, a Dedham native, who's been with the community for nine years.
The Carmelites knew there was something wrong in November when the Rev. Richard G. Roger, the pastor of Holy Family Church, asked the community to vacate the former convent and rectory within six months.
The two buildings are owned by the parish.
The Carmelites said chancery officials had had discussions with them over the years about the group's development, but said they were shocked when the bishop sent them a letter Aug. 11, outlining his intention to yank their recognition.
They said the bishop's decision was particularly painful because the letter arrived on the day that Brother Solomon Balbon's mother died in California.
"We weren't resentful, because we are loyal to the bishop," said Brother Wyrzkowski. "But there's no question that we were shocked and hurt."
"It was really tough on us," added Brother Balbon, a West Coast native who joined the community because of its devotion to the ideals of St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. "Despite our shock, we're hoping to maintain a dialogue with the bishop."
The Carmelites said they will comply with the diocesan request to move from the Holy Family property as soon as they have a place where they can re-establish the group.
Members said they're interested in a wooded and secluded piece of property in Millbury. However, the house needs major repair. They believe it will cost about $500,000 to buy the structure and fix it up.
Brother Wyrzkowski said the group has little money as a result of its long court battle to purchase 99 acres on Asnebumskit Hill in Paxton for a spiritual center, monastery and wind farm.
Anthony Dagnello, a lay member of the group, said that the Paxton project won't be completed for years because of the exhaustive environmental and other reviews of the wind farm component.
The Carmelites were hoping to use revenues from the power generated from the wind turbines to expand their ministry to the poor in Worcester.
Mr. Dagnello said the parcel's proximity to Worcester Regional Airport also poses problems and will most likely involve studies by the Federal Aviation Administration.
"Working with the town's residents, we're still hoping to move forward with our plans in Paxton, but it's going to take time," said Brother Wyrzkowski, noting that the move to Millbury looks like the group's best temporary option.
The Carmelites said they've received a lot of support from people of all faiths and traditions including Methodists, Buddhists and Baptists.
At the request of the bishop, members said they will sever their "spiritual bond" with the Order of Discalced Carmelites but will continue to wear their brown robes because of their official enrollment in the Brown Scapular, which is affiliated with the International Carmelite Association of the Faithful.
Bishop McManus had asked the community to no longer dress in the garb of the Discalceds so the general public wouldn't be confused about their official diocesan recognition.
"We love the Catholic Church and we believe in the Gospels," said Brother Wyrzkowski. "We'd really want the blessing of the bishop, but we'll continue our work one way or another."
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