Submitted article
As many readers may be aware, the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis is launching process called “All Things New.” This process is similar to other programs across the US that have seen many Catholic parishes merged or suppressed.
The models proposed by “All Things New” see several churches share one pastor. Other dioceses that have embraced this model eventually suppress one parish and the pastorates become one large parish. While this has not yet been proposed en masse by the Archdiocese of St. Louis, it is the path others have taken after adopting a pastorate model. This plan probably works for more transitional communities in cities and suburbs where churches are closer and families are looking to form tighter communities, but poses many issues in the rural and semi-rural areas.
There is no fair way to compare parish to parish. Geography and demographics differ in many ways as you travel from urban St. Louis to rural Ste. Genevieve and Perry Counties. Catholics in the city and suburbs have close access to multiple churches and public transportation to get them where they need to go. The state and maintenance of county roads, differing economical statuses, remote church locations and lack of public transit make it tougher for the more rural communities. These factors must be considered before making the drastic changes proposed by the latest “All Things New” draft.
Combining rural and semi-rural parishes would often require parishioners to travel farther distances to church. Rural roads are more dangerous at night as there is more wildlife and fewer street lights. This could possibly result in either people choosing to not attend Mass or get into accidents on their way to Mass.
The archdiocese has said it hopes “All Things New” will create large congregations that can host many small groups where parishioners can find like-minded individuals and develop life-long friendships. In rural parishes, “small groups” include the whole parish! The young and old, single and married, and people from all economic backgrounds are able to learn from each other. Small groups within rural churches are often entire families: cousins, grandparents, children, etc. In large parishes, small groups of friends can become very insular and many other people get left behind. This is less likely in a small rural parish with ancestral roots.
As a monk once said “A rich church is in a state of danger: a church which desires riches is going down the slope of scandals and disasters.” Sometimes these “riches” are not just monetary. Sometimes it is in the form of large “Instagram ready” programs and events that are nationally recognized and praised.
But what looks great on paper and on social media is only one path to a relationship with God. Other paths, such as is those found in rural churches, should not be dismissed just because they are not as big or prominent. The small parish is an anchor in a rural community. If we want to inspire more young boys to be priests, we need our rural parishes!
The fact of the matter is the Archdiocese currently has enough priests for all the Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese. Many will choose to retire from ministry soon, but even the vicar for strategic planning, Fr. Chris Martin, has publicly conceded that there is no crisis right now and retired priests are encouraged to continue ministry without administrative duties (which can be handled by laity or deacons). While it is good to be prudent and plan for what may happen in the coming years and decades, we should not treat the Church like a corporation. Let us focus on the here and now and deal with the situation as it is, not as it may be down the line.
The cookie-cutter parish model that being advocated by the Archdiocese simply will not work in rural Missouri because we are people, not cookie dough. We are a rock and will support our church and community for ages to come. Save Our Rural Parishes!
Call or write the Archdiocese to ask for more time to revitalize our communities and keep the Faith alive!
20 Archbishop May Drive
St. Louis, MO 63119
314.792.7005
For more information, please visit:
https://savestjosephzell.org/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1388260082021861
-Mickey Flieg, Sandy Vaeth, Shelly Mueller, Dana Palmer, Tina and Matt Blumenfeld