Church building closing, but parishioners persevere

"The most important thing is that our identity as St. Casimir's parishioners be preserved," Mr. Shatas told The Evangelist after a recent meeting to discuss the pending closure of the 88-year-old church due to a potentially hazardous structural deficiency.

So serious is the threat of a possible ceiling or roof collapse that St. Casimir's will be closed at the end of November. When -- or if -- the church building will reopen remains uncertain.

Threat to safety

The cost of repairs has been estimated at $200,000, an amount the Bishop said would not be "a prudent exercise of stewardship," given Diocesan Pastoral Planning guidelines and the parish's own financial status.

"What is patently clear at this time," wrote Bishop Hubbard, "is that, with the onset of the winter months and the inevitable snowfalls, we must make the difficult and immediate decision to close St. Casimir's Church building for safety reasons. Knowing the condition of the building would make it unconscionable to allow services to be continued. Therefore, provided there are no early snowfalls, Mass will be celebrated at St. Casimir's during the month of November. The final weekend liturgies will be celebrated on the weekend of November 23-24, and a final Mass, weather permitting, on Thanksgiving Day."

What next?

It is the absence of columns (or pillars), which would block one's view of the altars and delicate paintings on the dome-shaped ceilings, that is turning the repair job into such a nightmare, according to Mr. Shatas.

"All of the truss work that needs to be done is between the roof and the ceiling," he said. "The rest of the church is wide open."

Moving on

Until that meeting, Mr. Shatas was apprehensive about what would happen to the close-knit parish family once the church building closed.

"There was a chance our parishioners would scatter, attending other churches in Amsterdam," he said. "I was very happy when it was agreed we would try to keep St. Casimir's identity intact by moving to St. John's together. I can't say for sure that all 530 families will move with us to St. John's -- but I hope they will."

Options

Jay Feeney, Chancellor of Finance and Administration for the Diocese, said the Diocese would not stand in the way of attempts to secure restoration funds from other sources.

Complicating the situation at St. Casimir's, agree Mr. Feeney and Mr. Shatas, is the fact that the church's pastor (Rev. Joseph J. Grabys) must retire when he turns 75 next year. Given the clergy shortage and the number of parishes in Amsterdam, it is uncertain whether St. Casimir's parishioners will get a replacement pastor or if they'll have to share one with another parish.

Father Grabys will continue to reside at St. Casimir's rectory. The parish office, staff and cemetery will also continue to operate as usual. Daily Masses will be celebrated in the rectory. To assist during the transition period, the Diocesan offices of Pastoral Planning and Priests Personnel will work with Father Grabys and St. Casimir's parish council.

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