Rising oil prices have hit home in Susquehanna County. Two Roman Catholic churches in Forest City will close for the winter months because officials fear it will cost too much to heat them.
The three churches sit literally within a block of one another, Sacred Heart, St. Agnes. and St. Joseph’s. Soon Sacred Heart and St. Agnes will close for the winter. For a few months at least, all the parishioners in Forest City will have to make their way to St. Joseph’s.
"It’s sad. It doesn’t matter whose church is closing, even if it’s temporarily for the winter. You feel bad," said Marge Spyhalski of Forest City.
Closing the two parishes for the winter will save roughly $20,000.
The closures for the winter are just the latest in a streamlining of parishes in Forest City, which has been going on for about a year. Already the three churches share pastors, and split the weekly Mass schedule.
"There were, at one time, seven Catholic churches in Forest City," said Teresa Miller. Now there are just three.
St. Joseph’s was chosen to remain open for the winter because it can use either gas or oil heat. Both St. Agnes and Sacred Heart run solely on oil.
Many parishioners have gone to one church or the other for their entire lives but they understand the need to save.
"Now with the heating problems, the oil. I know at my own home how much more it’s going to be," added Spyhalski.
"It doesn’t matter to me. I go to any church I want to go. Church is church," added Miller. [Source]
With all of the contentious church closing stories it’s nice to read one with a positive quote at the end. Though there is something really sad about the necessity of closing churches during Advent and Christmas.
5 comments
It’s a bummer because it’s only the gradual step in closing them.
But I grew up in PA. There are so many small towns, 1 to 2 sq miles, w/ 7 or 8 Catholic Churches. The people aren’t there any more. It’s also sad because often the churches in these small towns are filled w/ beautiful altars and icons and statues.
Last time I was home for a visit, the panic was on to pre-pay the oil to lock in a good price.
How the heck did we ever exist as a Church for 1900+ yrs without heat or a/c or wireless microphones or electric candles? No wonder so many saints died of TB.
Of course, they could all bundle up nicely and take off the outermost layer when they enter. A bunch of people in a space will heat it up….unless, of course, these are big churches, like the older ones are.
In the “old days,” church going Catholics would have offered up any discomforts they experienced in church. Complain about church heating or air conditioning?
Me (whining): “It’s too hot in church!”
My good Catholic mother: “Too hot? St. Lawrence suffered a martyrs death by fire so you could sit in the church and whine.”
Me (whining): “It’s too cold!”
My good Catholic mother: “Stop griping. You’ll be happy for the chill for where you’re going should you continue to complain about church.”
Wow! Does anyone know how big Forrest City is? They once had seven churches? Ethnic parishes no doubt! I tend to agree with Theresa on one hand – we should not be complaining about the climate in Church, but rather focusing on the Sacrifice (and even uniting the sacrifice of our momentary discomfort with the Sacrifice being offered on teh altar) Nevertheless, we have been having AC troubles here and many, many parishioners have complained. “What’s the matter Father? can’t we afford the utilities?” “It sure was hot in there.” I checked the thermostat after Mass and during the service, the interior temp. had risen to a sultry 80 degrees – nevermind the fact that it was close to 90 outside and with much more humidity. As we have become more comfortable (AC is everywhere) we have also lost that understanding of penance and sacrifice (something as simple as offering up a small discomfort) I suggested to one parishioner that it was an opportunity to do penance – a suggestion which was met with a glance akin to that of a deer staring the headlights of an on-coming automobile. (I notice that same look when I talk about meatless fridays outside of Lent)
Teresa, I think your mother is a saint. My mother would have just looked at me with that “look”, sighed, and then pretended she didn’t know me.