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Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Watervliet/Green Island is one step closer to completing its transition from three worship sites to one.

In 2005, six parishes in Watervliet and Green Island had merged to become one, using three of the churches as worship sites. Last month, the final Mass was celebrated at one of those sites, St. Joseph's Church in Green Island.

Continuing the transition, building committee members at Immaculate Heart of Mary have decided on a preliminary architectural plan for a common worship site, to be located at the former Immaculate Conception Church at the corner of 25th Street and 7th Avenue.

They aim to start construction in the coming months and finish by July 2011 for the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. At that time, the current worship sites of St. Patrick's and St. Brigid's Churches will close.

"I think it's beautiful," said Donna Murray, an active parishioner, of the new church's proposed design. "It's going to be really nice."

Rev. L. Edward Deimeke, pastor, described the future sanctuary as modern and fan-shaped, the pews encircling the altar. Parishioners will enter and exit through one door only, symbolizing Christ's role as the gate of eternal life. The bapistmal area will also be up front.

Pieces of the former parishes in Watervliet and Green Island - pews, statues, Stations of the Cross, stained glass windows and tabernacles - will be used throughout the church.

That recycling of familiar items reassures Ms. Murray, who attended St. Brigid's Church since 1980. She, like many others in the area, said she felt heartbroken after the merger began in 2005.

It was one of many such changes in the lengthy diocesan effort to adjust to shifting demographics and fewer priests.

Reused and rejoined
Many Immaculate Heart of Mary parishioners said they are ready to move on and move into the new site.

"It will bring us together as one community - and we need that so much," Ms. Murray said.

Already, she added, the parishioners are mingling at monthly gatherings ranging from ice cream socials to chili cook-offs: "I think, from the unity, we'll find a lot of strength."

Pat Connors, who attended St. Patrick's Church for more than 50 years, is excited about the new church and pleased that the city of Watervliet will maintain a Catholic presence. She sat on merger committees for about six years.

"It caused a lot of people to be upset because it moved so slow," she noted. "I think we're past that now and we're moving on."

Frank Lacosse, who was a parish council member and greeter at St. Joseph's in Green Island, agreed. Though tears flowed at the parish's last Mass, he said he plans to stick with Immaculate Heart of Mary.

As for this type of consolidation, Mr. Lacosse said, "It's hitting us, but it's hitting the whole country."

Here to there
Parishioners seem to be pleased with the design of the new church, but there are some concerns about logistics: for example, how will people from the south end of Watervliet, as well as those from Green Island, make it there? Will parking be sufficient? Will elderly parishioners who formerly walked to church find transportation?

These questions will likely surface at the next meeting at the end of the month, when Father Deimeke hopes the architect will present official construction plans. He said the former rectory will be demolished for a parking lot.

Parishioners have been volunteering to paint and clean the former convent, which will morph into a faith formation center for the coming school year. The parish's soup kitchen may end up there, as well.

The parish is working on finding transportation for those who need it; a small bus took people to Green Island Masses, Ms. Murray noted.

Committee members will choose either St. Brigid's or St. Patrick's as a temporary worship site before the heating season begins. Until then, Masses continue at both churches.

Though some people have left the parish, Father Deimeke said, some parishioners can't wait for the new beginning.

"I foresee us coming together as a community, and struggling with that concept," he said. "But when all is said and done, people will be happy - the people who stay with us. I think some possibly may come back."

(09/09/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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