tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post3509159362859007269..comments2024-03-25T06:39:42.081-04:00Comments on Bonfire of the Vanities: 'New' Saint BonifaceFr Martin Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-50265068201768089362011-06-14T06:55:30.678-04:002011-06-14T06:55:30.678-04:00It is a relief to see a church that looks like a c...It is a relief to see a church that looks like a church rather than a gymnasium such as those built in the 60's.<br /><br />The statues are wonderful. The ceiling is amazing! Great job!!!<br /><br />JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-83137992467261334672011-06-09T00:12:33.871-04:002011-06-09T00:12:33.871-04:00Anonymous:
I'm really sorry you choose to tak...Anonymous:<br /><br />I'm really sorry you choose to take this approach.<br /><br />The facts are as follows:<br /><br />> The plan for the church was presented to the pastoral council more than once; the pastoral council endorsed it enthusiastically.<br /><br />> The pastoral council had two stipulations: first, present it to parishioners and let's see what the feedback is, then we'll approve it. Second, we want to be sure to have enough money.<br /><br />> The plan was presented at all Masses one weekend, by the committee of parishioners who had prepared the plan. Folks were free to offer comments; but they also had a written ballot on which they could vote, <i>and</i> offer comments of any sort. These were anonymous.<br /><br />> The ballots were overwhelmingly in favor--between 80-90% (i.e., 80% were unreservedly in favor; something like 10% said do it, but offered suggestions or didn't endorse every part of it; about 10% said don't do it.) <br /><br />This information was published in the bulletin. We have the ballots to this day if anyone wants to examine them. No one has ever asked to see them, or challenge this accounting.<br /><br />> This was reported to Pastoral Council. The ballots were taken to Pastoral Council in case anyone wanted to see them. The project was endorsed.<br /><br />> The Pastoral Council--and the parish--was told that if we did not have enough money, we would do only part of the project. The Pastoral Council suggested I raise additional money; and I did. We proceeded to raise in excess of another $100,000 from parishioners for the project--in a matter of a few weeks. <br /><br />> The parish was kept informed of the project as we moved forward. Parishioners responded favorably to every step, and showed up in good numbers to provide volunteer help.<br /><br />> The project was completed as planned, on budget, on time. We did exactly what we proposed.<br /><br />> Over the years, I get letters periodically when folks are unhappy. Do you know how many letters I've gotten from anyone unhappy about this? Zero.<br /><br />> In September and October--after the project was announced and approved, and even after I raised the extra $100,000, we went to the parish with an appeal to increase offerings. Every parishioner was asked--in the pews or through the mail--to pledge increased giving to the parish.<br /><br />If you are right that parishioners were upset, you would expect this offering campaign to have failed; and the pledge forms to come back with lots of anonymous, negative comments.<br /><br />Do you know how many negative comments came back? Exactly one, out of hundreds that were returned.<br /><br />And the campaign worked: parishioners pledged increased weekly offerings, and weekly offerings did increase; they remain higher, now, in June, than what we budgeted for the year.<br /><br />Anonymous, did you cast a vote in April 2010 on this project? Did you speak out? <br /><br />I know of only one parishioner who had raised strong objections; he came to see me, we had a good conversation. He readily conceded that we'd done a good job consulting the parish, and he agreed the parish endorsed it. His concern was to have enough money--and I told him I was going to raise more. <br /><br />I asked him: what would you have me do? He said I had to go ahead, given the support the parish was giving it.<br /><br />You're correct we need more revenue. But as mentioned, collections are higher than we expected. What is your basis for saying they are being lost?<br /><br />Please tell me what "warning" you referring to? The 10% of ballots who said no? I ask again, do you believe that minority should prevail? If so, would you please explain why? Or, if you don't accept the verdict of the ballots taken, why not? Did you raise this objection at the time?Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-65051569452111144472011-06-08T20:16:23.491-04:002011-06-08T20:16:23.491-04:00"Some people cried on Easter" - and many..."Some people cried on Easter" - and many more cried when they saw the results of this renovation in terms of lost future revenue and parish membership. The pastor was warned, but chose not to listen to reason.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-16751482995458326052011-06-04T15:03:45.845-04:002011-06-04T15:03:45.845-04:00What a beautiful church! LOVE the statues! AND t...What a beautiful church! LOVE the statues! AND the ceiling!<br /><br />I'm also VERY happy to know you are still alive Father! I was beginning to wonder...Jackienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-25177780595334650572011-06-04T10:00:14.279-04:002011-06-04T10:00:14.279-04:00Very nice, Father!Very nice, Father!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-10629266881385982352011-06-02T22:55:46.552-04:002011-06-02T22:55:46.552-04:00Congratulations on a wonderful work well done! Nex...Congratulations on a wonderful work well done! Next time I'm back in Oxford will make time to visit St Boniface.Marchttp://www.mysteriousthings.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-10462613553271439142011-06-02T19:52:39.931-04:002011-06-02T19:52:39.931-04:00Beautiful! These were well worth waiting for, Fath...Beautiful! These were well worth waiting for, Father. I can see that we will need to make a pilgrimage from Cincinnati to Piqua one Sunday to view everything up close. <br /><br />Rosemarytruthfinder2https://www.blogger.com/profile/02677700018308197978noreply@blogger.com