Parish rebuilt more than the roof

"We also submitted ideas on how we would like to enliven our parish," said Karl Andrzejczyk, co-chairperson of the church restoration committee. "We began looking at ways we could strengthen the parish as a whole, to show that St. Casimir's could help out in the community."

Those ways included outreach to Hispanic youth, food pantry collections and distributions, community dinners, and support for Catholic Charities programs.

In trouble

Many parishioners were shocked by the news because "nobody knew about the situation. There were a lot of people who were very upset. They couldn't see where the damage was," Mr. Andrzejczyk said. "We began trying to come up with a way to economically repair the church. Our goal was to save the building because of its beauty and architecture."

A Syracuse firm estimated the cost of repairs at more than $500,000, but C.T. Male Associates of Latham designed "an alternative way of fixing the roof that would cost $40,000," Mr. Andrzejczyk said. "It was a whole new way of looking at roof structure."

In limbo

"They were incredible with their hospitality, very special people who helped us through this whole process," Mr. Andrzejczyk said. "Without them, this church never would have reopened because it kept us all together."

Work was done at St. Casimir's during the spring and summer of 1998, and the church reopened that September. The engineering plan won state and national awards, and parishioners prevailed in their effort to keep the church going. "It was unbelievably satisfying," he said.

Revived

"It's the people themselves who put the parish back together," he said. "Even when their building was closed, they worshipped together, and they raised money and met the challenges the Diocese gave them."

Not only did St. Casimir's parishioners raise funds to renovate their church, but they also looked at ways in which they could help the Amsterdam community and commit to more ministries. They have been involved in such outreach and parish ministry as a "Life Enrichment" summer program for Hispanic youth; food pantry collections and distributions; supporting Catholic Charities and Community Maternity Services; and community dinners.

Parishioners also participate in Renew 2000, conduct adult outreach programs and publish a parish newsletter. They hope to eventually open an ecumenical food pantry, the first of its kind in the city.

Coming back

"We're getting new life in the parish, and we're looking to bring back people who are disenfranchised and left their faith," he said.

Sister Roberta said that working in the reopened parish has been a fulfilling experience. "It's a great parish. They're so happy to be reopened, and everyone is very supportive of the parish and me," she said.

(As another sign of their commitment to their community, parishioners of St. Casimir's will host a Brooks barbecue on April 30, 1:30-5 p.m., to benefit the rebuilding fund of United Presbyterian Church, which burned down recently. Takeouts and deliveries for the housebound are available. Orders are being accepted through April 28; call 842-5481.)

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