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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-06-14, Page 20Three local Catholic church communities will officially merge on July 1, and representatives from each of them acknowledge there will be difficulties and some measure of sadness associated with the change. There is also some measure of excitement, however, as they look to fuse the gifts of each community, improve ministry, and make use of financial resources to that end. St. Joseph’s Church in Kingsbridge, St. Joseph’s Church in Clinton, and St. Peter’s Church of Goderich will merge that day, the culmination of a planning process that began last August. St. Mary’s Mission Church in Lucknow closed its doors permanently on Sunday as part ofthe same parish reorganizationprocess.The decision to merge is theproduct of declining attendance at Kingsbridge, a church building in Clinton, and other realities facing the various communities. Kingsbridge will continue to host services, but these will be conducted by St. Peter’s staff. The church community in Clinton will move to the chapel at St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School. “Despite the reality and the pain of parish reorganization, which means closure of communities... there have also been a lot of great benefits,” said Father John Jasica, the pastor at St. Peter’s, St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s in Kingsbridge. “There has been a lot of great opportunities, and we view this as an opportunity to really co-create something new. This is a new reality which opens up new doors, new possibilities.” Brenda Teichert, a St. Peter’s attendee and member of the transition team guiding the merger, feels much the same way. “There was a lot of money being spent on bricks and mortar,” she said. “Buildings needed repairs and maintenance, and instead of spending money on that, we thought if we came together as a community... We’re going to have more money to spend not on bricks and mortar, but to spend on ministry and spreading the good news.” Transition team member and St. Joseph’s (Clinton) attendee Jerry McDonnell admitted to having mixed feelings about closing thechurch building, but sees positives inthe move as well.There is “a certain amount ofsadness and regret that the building is going, but at the same time we’re looking at reality,” he said. “I think it’s hard for everyone, but this is a great opportunity for us all to come together,” said Sue Gautrea, another St. Joseph’s representative. “Many hands make light work.” Ben Miltenburg, one of two Kingsbridge members of the transition team, said a change was needed at his parish due to the size of its congregation. Faced with the prospect of closing its doors or amalgamating, it chosethe latter.“In essence, this is a lifeline tossedto us, and we grabbed it,” he said.“We certainly hope to become a part of the new community.” Masses at the Kingsbridge location will take place at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays and 11 a.m. on Sundays. Clinton masses held on Tuesdays will rotate between St. Joseph School, Huronview Nursing Home (11 a.m.) and St. Anne’s (11:30 a.m.). There will also be a Sunday service at 9 a.m. at St. Anne’s. St. Peter’s mass times will not change. PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2007. The Huron Bruce Christian Heritage Party will be holding its nomination meeting on Friday, June 15 in Wingham. The meeting will be held at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex in the Knight of Columbus Lounge beginning at 8 p.m. Nominated to carry the party banner in Huron-Bruce is Dave Joslin. He has represented the party in past elections. Joslin said CHP believes it is the responsible choice for governing Canada. “Our nation was founded on the principles of our Christian heritage and the party believes for the nation to move forward she must return to those principles.” Parishioners look for positives in merger Merging Five members of a transition team helping to guide a local parish reorganization process are picture above. From left: Ben Miltenburg, of St. Joseph’s Church, Kingsbridge; Brenda Teichert, St. Peter’s, Goderich; Father John Jasica; Sue Gautreau and Jerry McDonnell, St. Joseph’s, Clinton. 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