St. James’ Homily/Sermon for August 6-7, 2011 Masses

I attended Mass out of town however I have heard from fellow parishioners that Father Geary addressed each Mass at the Homily/Sermon time.  Father requested that all adult parishioners complete a pack of nine post cards all pre-printed and pre-addressed with a Non-Profit Organization Postage Permit on them.  The cards were filled out during the sermon and collected by the ushers.  The cards would go to the nine aldermen who would be voting on St. James’ zoning request. They all contained the message:  “Please vote YES for  a zoning change and special use permit for St. James Catholic Church”.  There was no optional response.

Did this cause undue pressure on St. James’s parishioners?   Should this occurred during the Mass proper?  I guess a mere layman is not allowed to question such things.

 

One of the cards is shown below:

 

Insert to St. James Bulletin 8-7-2011: Update to New Church Building Project

The Insert shown below was in the parish bulletin.  If you have not done so already,  please read it in its entirety before reading my comments.  Please feel free to submit comments at the comment section of this posting or email me at: bpysson@hotmail.com

Click on the photocopy to enlarge: 

 

New or Clarified Facts:

1. The reason the 22 acre site is not being used is because the financing deal with the Diocese only applies to the in-town location.  For the 22 acre site all of the building expenses must be raised. (Paragraph 5).  St. James’ application for zoning change indicated that the cost of building out in the country was several million dollars more  because of needed water and sewer extensions.  See Jack Wolf’s editorial for additional comments on the Diocese’s actions present and in the past; click on the following:  http://boonecountycatholics.blogspot.com/2011/07/jack-wolf-rockford-diocese-stance-on.html

2.  Just recently the diocese approved a reduction to 850 seats apparently that is the reason for the conflict between the St. James zoning application (850) and the previously maintained 1000 capacity. (Paragraph 6)

3.  There will be no basement, because of the church building’s proximity to parish center. (Paragraph 7)  Costs of the building has not decreased because of the lack of a basement.

4.  The entire new church is being moved closer to the parish center.(Paragraph 7)

 

Possible new question:

In paragraph 5:  “Imagine how long it would take to raise almost $6,000,000 in cash (in today’s dollars) for a project that no one will see develop until we have all the money?”—Does this mean that the cost of the new church is now $6,000,000?

Meet Morrison, Illinois’ City Administrator: Jim Wise

"I look forward to the opportunity to do many great things with the community of Morrison," concluded James R. "Jim" Wise, at right, after an interview Monday, May 23, 2011, in the office that will become his on Wednesday, June 1. Mayor Roger Drey was available as the conversation ended, so he welcomed Wise as the soon-to-be City Administrator.

Click on the following for more details:  http://www.thecity1.com/all-current-year-articles/9-people-in-the-news/4061-meet-the-new-city-administrator-jim-wise.html

Ill. to begin seizing abandoned cash after 1 year

The measure says the state can take control of abandoned funds after just one year instead of five years. The rightful owners can claim the money if they ever show up, but Illinois will get to collect interest on the funds.

Gov. Quinn signed the law Monday.

Click on the following for more details:  http://www.nwherald.com/2011/08/09/ill-to-begin-seizing-abandoned-cash-after-1-year/asq347t/