Parishes plan winter of less discontent

Although we are still in summer’s warmth, parish leaders in several parts of the diocese are already planning measures to cut heating costs this winter. These range from lower thermostats and coats in church to sharing space with other congregations.

Much like homeowners and businesses, Catholic churches have been stressed by rising utility bills and want to cut back.

St. Joseph’s Church in Richfield Springs switched fuel companies recently when their budget payment for their heating bill more than doubled.  “We went from $675 a month to $1550 a month,” said Nancy Brown, the parish life associate. “Our new budget plan payment is $1400. Still that’s very difficult for us.”

To help reduce their costs Ms. Brown said the thermostat in church will be set at 61 degrees during the fall and winter months. The rectory will be kept at 64 degrees. “I’ll wear two or three layers of clothes,” she said.

In addition to turning down the heat the parish may convert the oil-fired hot water heater to an electric one.

Chipping in

Ms. Brown will also meet with local clergy to look for ways they can work together. One idea under consideration: heating one church building during the winter months and having all denominations worship there.

“Instead of heating three buildings we could heat one,” she said.

The suggestion echoes in history: in 19th century Charlottesville, Va., four Protestant denominations that lacked church buildings shared the courthouse for worship on alternating weeks.

St. Joseph’s may hold fund-raisers to help pay the heating bills. “I have no idea where we’re going to come up with the money,” she said.

The average weekly collection is $1,150, she said. During the summer, the parish usually enjoys increased giving from people visiting the area. This didn’t happen this year, she said.

Sun and wind

Rev. Winston Bath, pastor of St. Mary’s in Hudson is also concerned about rising heating costs.

This concern has led him to investigate alternative fuels and conservation.

Father Bath has been researching solar, wind and geothermal power, although he noted those are long-term solutions.

This winter, the parish will try more immediate solutions. “If our heating bills are exorbitant we will have Mass in the school gathering space,” Father Bath said. “The parishioners have said if that’s what we need to do, we will do it.”

The parish is investigating zoned heating and adding insulation to the walls and ceiling.

The parish has three buildings it heats, the church, the rectory and the school building which is used for social space and faith formation.

Trading places

St. Mary’s may be able to save on heating costs for the rectory, the pastor said. The building once housed five priests and now is home to only one. The parish is looking at ways to close off parts of the building so as not to heat unneeded space.

Heating the church is a unique challenge because the ceilings are 60 feet high, Father Bath said.

Managing the temperature and the costs of heating the church buildings is a delicate process. “We’ve always kept things on the cool side,” Father Bath said. “But if it’s too cool it can be too much for our senior parishioners.”

While he is concerned about the parish’s increasing heat costs Father Bath is also worried about his parishioners. “I have a concern about [heating] costs for parishioners,” he said. “Many of our parishioners are on fixed incomes. I understand that people don’t have a lot of disposable income.”

Sometimes only big steps will help.

At St. Ann Maronite Church in Troy, oil costs have been truly prohibitive.

For years, parishioners have not had the luxury of daily mass since heating the entire church was not feasible. Now that site is being renovated as a shrine and the parish eventually will have a new home in a converted church in Watervliet. Both sites will be more energy-efficient.

“When we designed the worship space in the new building we made provision for a chapel where daily Mass can be celebrated,” said Father Elie Kairouz, pastor. “The new infrastructure will provide all the space we need as an active, viable parish.”

(08/28/08)