500 Days of Faith, Derek Gentile, The Berkshire Eagle, May 10, 2010

500 Days of Faith

By Derek Gentile
The Berkshire Eagle
May 10, 2010

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_15052169

Flowers lie at the feet and in the hands of the many statues in...
Photo by Ian Grey / Special to The Eagle

This is the irony of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church: The church is supposed to close, but the community is only getting stronger.

On Sunday, the parishioners there marked the 500th day of their vigil, standing watch at the church to prevent its closure, which had been ordered in 2008.

"People you used to see in the street, in the grocery store, even in church, you would nod and wave," said Hank Tomkowicz, a spokesman for parishioners. "But sitting here [keeping vigil], you get to talk with people. You find out their family histories. We're getting to know each other better."

Tomkowicz said there are about 200 volunteer vigilkeepers, and "we've added a few over the last year."

Of all the Roman Catholic church closings in the Berkshires during the past few years, only the parishioners of St. Stanislaus have attempted to appeal, which may take years. However, there are five churches in the Boston area that were set to close five years ago, but remain occupied by parishioners. Parishioners of the church of St. Frances X. Cabrini of Scituate have taken their case all the way to the Vatican, and they are awaiting a final decision by the Apostolic Signatura, the church's highest court of appeals. They are not optimistic.

Tomkowicz said he is uncertain as to how his church's appeal will go.

"My mother always told me, ‘The worst thing you can do is nothing,' " he said. "And maybe [Springfield] Bishop [Timothy]

McDonnell will change his mind. The question is: Is he man enough to admit he made a mistake? I guess those are strong words, but I hope he is."

Parishioner Susan Lowe also said that the vigil has drawn the St. Stanislaus community closer.

"We have a very tight-knit group here," she said.

The congregation pays for the electricity and heat out of a discretionary fund, according to Francie Sagendorph, another parishioner. The group raises money and accepts donations.

The building no longer hosts prayer services, Tomkowicz said. But there are regular rosary sessions.

"My understanding is that you can pray anywhere," he said.

Although the altar and pews are still in the church, there are changes. A few mattresses lie on side pews for night vigil participants. There is a sign-in book at the side entrance. The church has had visitors from 42 states and 15 countries; from as far away as India, Australia and China.

Tomkowicz doesn't pretend that people come from all over the world to see the St. Stanislaus vigil, "but everyone who comes in to visit us, supports what we're doing," he said.

The Springfield Diocese could not be immediately reached for comment.

To reach Derek Gentile: dgentile@berkshireeagle.com or (413) 528-3660.