November 2012 update

Dear Parishioners,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I hope and pray that the upcoming season of Advent will be a prayerful and inspiring time of preparation for Christmas. 

Here is an update on a number of things that have been occurring in our parishes:

The Snowflake Parade:  Thank you to all participants and donors who helped in any way!  The “tri-parish” unit was well received, and more than one spectator thanked us for “bringing Jesus” to the event.  The other entries from Saint Mary Parish were also well received.  A good time was had by all, and we are already dreaming about some possibilities for next year’s festivities. 

Saint Catherine Advent Reflection: The Saint Catherine Parish choir will present an advent reflection consisting of readings and advent music on Sunday, December 9, 2012, at 2 p.m. in Saint Catherine Church.  A free-will offering will be requested to assist a local family in need.  This will be a great opportunity to take time out of busy season for some spiritual reflection and renewal. 

Saints Thomas and Anne Parish:  Over the next few weeks, we will have the altars and remaining two large statues moved from Saint Anne Church in Glasgo to Saints Thomas and Anne Church in Voluntown, where the sanctuary will be rearranged. 

Saint Anne Church Windows:  We are looking to use a limited number of windows from Saint Anne Church in Saints Thomas and Anne Church and Parish Center.  Unfortunately not all of the windows will be able to be utilized.  If you donated one or more windows and would like to have the window(s) you donated, please contact the Parish Center in Voluntown at (860) 376-8352 and we will arrange to get your window(s) to you.  You can also write a request and drop it in the collection basket.

The Glasgo Playground.  The playground in Glasgo is owned by Saint Anne Church and must remain a playground according to a clause in the deed.  With the closure of Saint Anne Church, we are looking to convey the playground to the Town of Griswold, which has leased and/or maintained the playground in the past. 

Saint Mary School:  Saint Mary Church has been working with Sheldon Oak Central, Inc., and Brom Builders to try and convert the Saint Mary School Building into low-income senior housing. 

We have applied twice for funding from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and our application has been rejected twice. 

We have also asked for help from the Griswold Housing Authority (GHA), specifically asking the GHA to partner with us and get what is known as “Project-based Section 8 Housing Certificates,” which would provide the necessary subsidy to keep the low-income senior housing operating once it is constructed.  In August, the executive director of the GHA indicated to me that after consulting with some members of the board but not the entire board, the consensus was that the GHA was not willing to get involved with the Saint Mary School project at that time (August); so, this was our third rejection. 

Most recently, in October we applied for a grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD); this past week, I received a letter from DECD indicating our application was rejected.  This brings the number of rejections to four. 

In light of the rejections and other practical realities, Sheldon Oak, Brom Builders, a representative from the Diocese, and I will be meeting to look at all options, including non-profit housing, for-profit housing, selling the property to a developer, and perhaps even tearing down the building and constructing a parking lot.  The reality is that while it would be nice to renovate and use the building, we simply cannot continue paying for a building that continues to deteriorate and that we cannot use.  As always, if you have any ideas, suggestions, or comments, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Father Ted Tumicki

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