By Austin Kaus
Daily Republic
February 14, 2009
http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/articles/index.cfm?id=31792§ion=news
MOUNT VERNON — Monsignor Steve Barnett is hoping that an upcoming meeting with Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls officials will convince them to remove St. Michael's Parish from a list of churches scheduled for possible closure.
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| Monsignor Steve Barnett, pictured here, is hoping that an upcoming meeting with Catholic Diocese officials will convince them to remove St. Michael’s Parish of Mount Vernon from a list of churches scheduled for possible closure. Photo by Laura Wehde |
Bishop Paul Swain released a letter earlier this month listing 35 eastern South Dakota Catholic parishes that would no longer have regular Mass by 2012 if the plan is adopted. Other area churches on the list include those in Bridgewater, Ethan, Farmer, Pukwana, Springfield, Stickney and Tripp.
In his letter, Swain wrote that demographic shifts, decreasing priest numbers, varying attendance rates and fewer children are leading to the potential closures. Regional pastoral planning meetings have been scheduled to explain the letter and discuss the future of the churches.
For Barnett, such a meeting will give him a chance to present his case for keeping the Mount Vernon church alive.
"Those names that are listed are not written in concrete," Barnett said. "What we need to do is bring possible alternative plans to the bishop and to the committee."
Having his parish included on the list is frustrating, Barnett said, but he understands the "horrendous task" that Swain is facing, especially considering the priest shortage that is expected to leave as few as 55 priests available to serve in 2016.
According to the Catholic Diocese, there are currently 153 parishes, Newman centers — Catholic ministry centers at non-Catholic universities — and small faith communities in South Dakota.
Barnett has seen the number of adults and children active in his church grow in his four years in Mount Vernon. He's hoping that the church's solid attendance and financial stability will save it.
"(It's) almost impossible to cover all of those parishes with 55 priests, so something's got to give," Barnett said. "Perhaps there are different parishes in other parts of the diocese that are less viable than perhaps St. Michael's is."
The inevitable closure of some rural parishes will be a "disappointment" to some, Barnett said, but he's hoping that those affected will stay active in a Catholic church somewhere.
"I think those people who are really strong in their Catholic faith will understand the bishop's predicament, accept it … and make the effort to go," he said. "I think those who are faith-filled Catholics will make the adjustment."
Churches that may end regular Mass
By The Daily Republic
Bishop Paul Swain released a letter earlier this month listing 35 eastern South Dakota Catholic parishes that would no longer have regular Mass by 2012 if a plan under consideration by the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls is adopted.
Following is the list of churches.
- St. William, Aurora
- St. Stephen, Bridgewater
- St. Anthony, Bristol
- St. John the Baptist, Conde
- St. Joseph, Doland
- St. Placidus, Duncan
- Holy Trinity, Ethan
- St. John Neumann, Farmer
- St. Ann, Frankfort
- St. Peter, Gary
- St. Peter, Grover
- St. John, Harrold
- St. Anthony of Padua, Hecla
- Holy Trinity, Hosmer
- St. Joseph, Lake City
- St. John, Lesterville
- St. Mary, Marion
- St. Columba, Mayfield
- St. Michael, Mount Vernon
- Sacred Heart, New Effington
- St. John, Onaka
- St. Joseph, Orient
- Blessed Kateri, Pierre
- St. Liborious, Polo
- St. Anthony, Pukwana
- St. William, Ramona
- St. Boniface, Seneca
- St. Agnes, Sigel
- St. Vincent, Springfield
- St. Mary, Stickney
- Holy Rosary, Tripp
- St. Joseph, Waverly
- St. Joseph, Wessington
- St. Edward, Worthing
- St. Mary, Zell
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