Ever since word came down that St. Ann Church and Parish have less than a year to live, there’s been much invoking of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’ five stages of grief. So far, as a lot of parishioners will tell you, they have not moved from Stage Two: Anger.
While I’m nearly through Stage Three — Bargaining, with Depression next in line — I understand the fury.
A plucky little congregation in a neighborhood with major economic, social and spiritual challenges, a parish that has nurtured souls since its founding in 1876, has been selected for extinction. Despite careful management of its money, despite its inventiveness in turning its former grade school into thriving medical and dental clinics for the poor, despite requiring the presence of an actual priest only two hours a week to function quite efficiently — St. Ann’s will be closed.
The decision was announced in a July letter from Indianapolis Archbishop Daniel Buechlein and it was the culmination of years of strategizing within the Terre Haute Deanery. Unlike many other such closings across the United States, however, this one was not done by hierarchical fiat. Every parish had representatives on the planning team. There was an appeals process and St. Ann’s representatives fought hard for a reprieve. Not least of them was Sister Connie Kramer, the Parish Life Coordinator, whose job will disappear with the parish.
In the end, it came down to what it has come down to over the past three decades as thousands of U.S. Catholic churches and schools have been shuttered or merged: numbers.
Since 1980, the number of ordained priests and vowed religious laity (primarily, nuns) has decreased by 41 percent. Just since 2000, about 1,400 parishes have been closed or consolidated. Meanwhile, contrary to popular perception, the number of U.S. Catholics has actually increased. According to an enlightening national survey by a consortium of parish ministry organizations, some 77.7 million people in the United States identify themselves as Catholic. The number is expected to reach 110 million by midcentury. Latino households make up the single largest growth group among registered parishioners.
The result of these many losses and gains?
“Bigger parishes, more Masses, and ministries in languages other than English are becoming the norm,” wrote Mary L. Gautier and Mark M. Gray of the consortium, Emerging Models of Catholic Leadership. Their survey report, titled, “The Changing Face of U.S. Catholic Parishes,” also revealed:
• The average parish weekend Mass attendance is 1,100.
• About half of all parishes celebrate four or more weekend Masses; nearly 30 percent celebrate five or more.
• Only one in 10 parishes celebrates just one weekend Mass.
• The average number of registered households in a parish is 1,200, while parishes with 200 or fewer registered households have dropped from 24 percent in 2000 to 15 percent in 2010.
The four local parishes to be closed serve about 325 registered households, less than 10 percent of the Terre Haute Deanery. St. Ann, the largest of the four, celebrates but one Mass on weekends and counts 118 households and about 240 parishioners on its rolls. They may be loyal and enthusiastic, but their numbers are dwindling, not growing, and they can’t donate enough money to keep open their church, parish hall and bare-bones parish office. How bare bones? Sister Connie is the only salaried staffer working 20 or more hours per week. In contrast, nationally, the average comparable parish staff is 9.5 people.
Of course, when I say “they” of St. Ann’s, I mean “we.” The parish has been mine since I moved back to Terre Haute in 2004. More times than I can remember, I have sat or knelt in a pew during Mass, and thought, “If this place ever closes, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
St. Ann’s epitomizes Catholic Christian values for me. All are welcome at the table. All are useful. All have dignity. All are children of God, worthy of mercy, seven times 70. At St. Ann’s, a preferential option for the poor is Job No. 1, not an afterthought.
Like any family, we quarrel among ourselves. We have political and philosophical differences; we even have cliques. But we put them all aside when it matters, especially each Sunday at Mass. We are tight, committed, united in our faith.
Buechlein wrote in his letter that the decision to close St. Ann’s “was agonizing.” I believe him. He has watched in gratitude and respect over the years as Sister Connie has inspired the parish to join forces with the Sisters of Providence and Catholic Charities and be the host site of remarkable, life-saving outreach ministries, such as the clinics and Bethany House shelter and kitchen.
I believe our shrinking numbers and the complex socio-economic realities of the larger Catholic Church doomed us, not the quality of our hearts or the productivity of our hands. Probably, that is why I didn’t spend long in angry Stage Two.
I have few illusions about the breadth of those complex realities, by the way. As an adult convert, I knew when I signed up that Catholicism is not a democracy, and I have since learned that periodic suffering from the internal problems of the Church — the accidental and the self-inflicted problems — comes with the territory. You either accept that or you’re crazy not to get out.
Which isn’t to say you accept all the CAUSES of the suffering — the sexism, elitism, abuse scandals, coverups, misused funds or aversion to solid science and good health practices (to name a few). Being an adherent of any religion is not unlike being a citizen of a (non-democratic) nation: You may disagree with all sorts of programs and people — and you can work and agitate for change — but your allegiance transcends people and programs. It is about something much bigger.
Depressed and sad as I will be, I plan to follow Sister Connie’s lead and extract every drop of community life I can from the church and parish of St. Ann, until the last Mass is celebrated May 20. What we’ve got going at 1440 Locust St. is exceedingly rich and rare — from the superb homilies of our young circuit-riding priest, Father Rob Hausladen, to the bonhomie we share at parish suppers. Like life on this side of the great divide, I choose to participate with gusto, knowing it won’t last forever.
Stephanie Salter may be e-mailed at SalterOpinion@gmail.com.
Opinion
STEPHANIE SALTER: The unfortunate bottom line … St. Ann’s will close
- Opinion
-
-
EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
It’s not a lot of money in the big scheme of things, but the $2 million designated in the recent session of the General Assembly will begin the messy but necessary process of cleaning up Indiana’s voter registration rolls.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 22, 2013
Rich history all along the river
Great work by Duke employees
-
RONN MOTT: Rabid Republicans
The so-called news people at Fox News can hardly sit still long enough to report on the latest gossip or untruth about our sitting President. They can hardly contain themselves.
-
READERS’ FORUM: May 21, 2013
• Great response to annual golf outing
• Doing your part on climate change
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Smell of fresh air gave way to dryers
Remember when clean clothes smelled like fresh air and sunshine rather than fabric softener and dryer sheets?
-
READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
The dangers of a little knowledge
Students enjoyed Rose study trip
-
Mark Bennett: High-profile mural connects historical dots from city to river
At 96 feet wide and 2 stories tall, the power, impact and value of the Wabash will be evident.
-
EDITORIAL: Waging the ‘readiness’ campaign
Almost every Hoosier who starts college intends to finish. Unfortunately, those who arrive on campus unprepared in key academic areas are far less likely to fulfill that aspiration.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 19, 2013
• Flawed reasoning on gun checks
• A hint of things yet to come?
• Are the ‘makers’ doing the ‘taking’?
• The ‘Obamination’ is finally revealed
• Pondering effects of Obamacare
• Fantasizing on the ‘Apocalypse’
• Another view of Hinduism
• Great experience for HCMS students
-
FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
-
RONN MOTT: Mushrooms = Hoosier happiness
Someone wrote or said a few years ago a statement that would define the word “Hoosier.” According to this urban legend, a Hoosier is somebody dribbling a basketball around the Indy 500 while eating a fried, morel mushroom. It did not define me, at the time.
-
EDITORIAL: Insult to an independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 17, 2013
Hinduism doesn’t deserve ridicule — Shefali Purohit, Terre Haute
-
RONN MOTT: Israel’s Air Force
Recently the Israeli Air Force bombed and rocketed a convoy leaving Syria going to Lebanon with rockets that were going to be used to attack Israel. It did not get there. It was destroyed.
-
EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: Dashing finish for the Sycamores
It’s always thrilling to see Indiana State University’s athletic teams do well in high-level competition, and two specific teams rose to impressive heights last weekend in the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships.
-
Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013
Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’
-
Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013
Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
-
RONN MOTT: Media merry-go-round
Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows. That isn’t a unique phrase to this writer or to this era in time. But, when it comes to the musical chairs of broadcasting, it certainly applies.
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Courts see a different appearance than cops
Have you ever noticed the transformation between the arrest of an accused lawbreaker and the first appearance in court?
-
READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013
ISTEP failure exposes flaws
Community hasn’t changed its spirit
Egregious threat to nation’s defense
-
READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013
• Women’s group criticizes Bucshon
• Let’s hope this doesn’t come true
• Many get thanks for fest success
-
MARK BENNETT: Life at face value: Mom’s simple advice still presents a valuable daily challenge
Most moms don’t base their advice on scientific research.
(Unless, of course, your mother is a scientific researcher. If so, carry a No. 2 pencil and take good notes.) -
EDITORIAL: Better monitoring needed to prevent local environmental messes
The nasty, hazardous messes lurking in the community raise a bottom-line, red-flag question. Could these environmental problems have been monitored and, thus, prevented?
-
GUEST COLUMN: Nursing more than medicine and bandages
Being a nurse … Like most nurses, I chose this profession because I had a strong desire to help others and no other career would allow me the opportunity to touch lives the way I have been able to through nursing.
-
READERS' FORUM: May 12, 2013
Vigo Youth Football, entering 45th year, seeks new support
Media ignoring important case on abortions
Proud to be old-fashioned
Guns in school? What’s next?
Promoting hate not a ‘brave’ act
-
FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
-
RONN MOTT: ‘Raccoons II’
In the Algonquin Indian language, raccoon means “working with hands.” They are really cute little fellows until they injure a child, or a pet, or leave feces around where you certainly do not want it.
-
Readers’ Forum: May 11, 2013
I just wanted to express my disappointment at the lack of response shown by President Obama after the Boston Marathon bombings.
-
Readers' Forum: May 10, 2013
CANDLES event plants new seed: On April 26, CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center hosted an event called “Sowing Seeds of Peace: A Celebration of Spring” at the Apple House. Our purpose was to introduce people to our concept of forgiveness as a seed for peace.
-
RONN MOTT: ‘NRA Convention’
At the recent NRA Convention in Houston, Texas, where the right-wing political hot air almost lifted the convention's building off its foundation, the NRA trotted out the forever yours political dame of the right wing, Sarah Palin. Sarah did not disappoint.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life
Today in History May 22
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
Raw: Aussie Zoo Shows Off White Rhino Calf
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Protests Outside Cincinnati IRS Office
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage
Former Rep. Weiner Running for New York Mayor
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
The all-new Xbox One
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City
