What does God think?

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

The above is said by church people many times, but the family of St. Gertrude’s at Seatonville and three other churches are like scattered sheep. The shepherd that lives in Peoria has ordered the smaller shepherd that resides in Spring Valley to close and lock the doors at the hall and church and to go pray elsewhere. You didn’t only take our churches and hall, but you had the locks changed on all. I never knew a shepherd to turn his back on his flock, and without a voice from the people who worked so hard to keep their churches in the black. The shepherd at Peoria can pray next to his residence or at the King’s House. The small shepherd can pray at St. Anthony or Immaculate in Spring Valley. We noticed you didn’t close either of your churches.

The family of St. Gertrude’s worked voluntarily and religiously building the hall in 1954 and tearing the old church down and building a new church in 1962. The hall was used as a church while building the new church (I know, as I was one of those people). There were also non-Catholics working by our side. The family of St. Gertrude’s and others are emotionally upset about these changes, especially the people over 90 — these people and others donated fixtures — remodeling of the hall and church — they did this for future generations. You took this all away from us in one second and not even letting us voice our opinions. Shame on you.

Along with the closing, the shepherd in Peoria took our priest, Fr. Michael, one of the best, who brought our attendance, offering and young ones back to church. You say you are short of priests — then why did you take him that was serving two churches, saying a Spanish Mass at another and a children’s Mass at another? When I was in school, one plus one equaled two. This doesn’t add up. Let’s stop the jealousy between priests, bishop and vicars in the area and think about the people. Bring back Fr. Michael!

Priests should study the Bible and say the rosary and leave politics to the politicians. Sixty years ago, people made their own decisions about their church. We must of done something right, as we were still in the black.

I never thought a bishop would turn his back on his own religion and close a church that was in the black. Thank you non-Catholics that have opened your doors for us. I wonder what God thinks?

Peter R. Yucus

Seatonville