'Turnpike community' a model for mergers

As local parishes evolve with the Called to Be Church process, a leader of one Catholic community encourages Catholics in the diocese to be hopeful.

Karen Walker is parish life associate for the "turnpike Catholic community," which has worship sites at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Cherry Valley, St. Mary's in Sharon Springs and Blessed Sacrament in Springfield Center. The three sites serve approximately 250 Catholic families in rural Otsego County.

St. Mary's and Blessed Sacrament were mission parishes of St. Thomas until the three communities merged five years ago, Mrs. Walker said.

The community takes its "turnpike" moniker from Route 20, also known as the Western Turnpike, which runs through all three towns.

Mrs. Walker acknowledged that change can be stressful for people, but she has seen many positive things as the Catholics who worship at different sites have come together.

Collaboration

The parish life associate came to the community after it had merged, with a goal of assisting the communities in their efforts to collaborate.

"I definitely have noticed a change in the people," she said. "People had been living under the fear of closing for so long, they had no hope. They couldn't see the light. No matter what the future holds for your building, you have to have hope."

Mrs. Walker brought an objective perspective to the parishes. Born in the Albany Diocese, raised in the Ogdensburg Diocese and having later lived in the Syracuse Diocese, she came to Otsego County with no knowledge of "the way things had once been."

"I don't have the baggage," she remarked.

Last October, the turnpike Catholic community successfully brought Catholics from its three worship sites together with a harvest festival. The goal of the event was to just have fun together, not to raise money.

In fact, said Mrs. Walker, the festival was the first time they had an event that wasn't designed to be a fundraiser. Being a small faith community in a rural area, she said, the financial needs can be great, so the people were used to having fundraisers.

"It rained so hard," she recalled, "but the people came out and it was wonderful."

Common ground

Approximately 150 parishioners turned out for the event. "They didn't know each other well before," Mrs. Walker said. But "by the time we were done, they realized we had a lot in common."

One challenge is that the community covers a large geographical region. It is difficult to find a central location to have religious education classes or activities, she said.

Another aspect of ministering in a rural community is the isolation people can feel. Since families are spread out, they can often feel alone.

"We're trying to help families with children and bring them together," said Mrs. Walker. "People need emotional strength and support."

During Christmas, the community came together for an enactment of the nativity Gospel. Catholics from all three worship sites participated, with four rehearsals allowing them to get to know one another.

Coming up

The parish is planning family entertainment events, family activities, and will co-sponsor parenting classes with Catholic Charities, Mrs. Walker said.

The parish life associate sees much for Catholics to be hopeful about. She looks forward to continuing her ministry. "I couldn't be happier," she said; "I can't imagine being anywhere else."

To Catholics concerned about change, she advised: "Be not afraid. Change can be scary. Don't think about what you are giving up, but think about the things you will gain."

(01/17/08) [[In-content Ad]]