Posted by Sepaking Just For Me on May 03, 2006 at 21:37:06 (PST):
In Reply to: Re: Church posted by Seth on May 03, 2006 at 16:55:31 (PST):
: : : : : : : : When the time come's that a church is no longer used as a sacred place to worship is it still considered a house of God? Or is it now just an ordenary building of no importance.
: : : : : : : I am going to say, a building, nothing more nothing less.
: : : : : : : Do you think that God cares about a building? Does your God care where you worship? Does my God care where I worship?
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: : : : : : So why even have a church,I read on a post where people donated at least a million dollars for a church.Why pour all that money into a fancy place when you can do the same thing out in your yard or any where you see fit.And did God not drive the money changer's out of the temple.
: : : : : A church is the people, not the building. The people build a church to worship in. This church in Ford City has/will be sold. A church can be as fancy as you want or can be a rented room whatever the laity desires.
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: : : : So Jenny what you are saying it is just a prestige thing to have a big fancy church with statue's and fancy colored glass window. Long flowing robe's and a staff for what ever reason.
: : : : It is not going to keep me out of hell or get me into heaven any quicker.
: : : No it is not a prestige thing, it is what the people want or what the priest/diocese wants or a combination of both.You are right, your actions will determine heaven or hell, not your donations.
: : I think the point is being missed here. I agree with all those who say that a church is more than a building. I believe this, also. I think what is being missed here is the circumstances surrounding the closure of the churches.
: : Lets say a church is not doing good financially or that attendance has dropped off significantly, then there is a need to make some changes. Or, if you only had one priest covering 8 churches in a 20-mile radius, then you have a problem. These were not the circumstances in Ford City, especially with Holy Trinity Church. The biggest parish in regards to people and collections was Holy Trinity Church, not only the building, but the parish, the people themselves. The newest "building" and most cost-efficient in regards to maitnenance and heating/cooling costs was Holy Trinity. The dioceses tried to come in an claim that there was a structural flaw that would jeopardize safety. Architects came in and said not true. They are going to have kids running and jumping all through the place. I think the point that is being missed is the manner in which the closing was completed, but like I said, I am a bigger believer in karma in Catholicism, and I think this is going to come back and bite some people in the long run. A walk from St. Mary's to Holy Trinity is less than 3 town blocks, and the priest would be burdened in having one Mass there a weekend? There would be no extra cost, and now as the future becomes a reality, they are taking in way less money now than they did before. The people entrusted faith in their spiritual leaders and that was betrayed; this is the matter at hand, not if a church is building or not. If a priest presiding over just one church cleaned out the bank accounts of a thriving church and parish send all that many to another part of the dioceses, do you think there would be outrage and feelings of betrayal? Look at Boston! This is an issue delaing with selfishness and greed. That is it.
: You have to get over it and move on.Can you prove what you are saying? Do you have the facts and figures on a paper? Or are you just assuming this and that? What about companies that shut down, don't you think those people feel betrayed, but they go on and get past it.
: Do you ever think that maybe God intended for this to be, so that the people of the community could act like Christians and be together in one church? They say there is a reason for everything.I am sure it wasn't the priest's idea, he is just a worker doing what he is told.
: It is just like the schools, it would be better for the tax payers to have one school but the communities will fight it tooth and nail.
: Years ago, if people were told the church is closing and you will have to attend this church, that is what they would have done.But whine as you may, the church will go on, the priest will go on, and there will be dancing in the former church.
: One final question, when you donate, is it with the intention you are giving alms back to God for the blessings he has provided you or you trying to buy a place in Heaven ?
Seth, I agree with most what you said. I believe that giving back to God is what is all about. totally agree with you. The problem comes in when "man" comes in with all his temptation and rapes people of things under the auspices of God's will. I think you are not getting it on that aspect. I respect and agree with what you are saying, but I think those questions would need to be answered by the thos ein charge of the Catholic Church. The shepherds are giving up the flock. They are abandoning their duties. What happens then?