Obit for St. Stan's

Great article...sure hope the big guy from Springfield reads it.....THANKS

St. Stanislaus church died at a much too young age. She was murdered by those entrusted to protect her in an act of betrayal not to be forgiven. Those guilty of this killing should receive all they have coming to them.

well written letter. Too bad it falls on deaf ears. As a parishner of st stans, I will now be giving my money to local charities like the salvation army and no longer to the catholic church

My Church wrote:

St. Stanislaus church died at a much too young age. She was murdered by those entrusted to protect her in an act of betrayal not to be forgiven. Those guilty of this killing should receive all they have coming to them.

I feel bad for you, but your comment doesn't sound very Christian.

Don't feel bad for me, I am fine and, like Saddened, will be donating my money elsewhere. I no longer will have to deal with the pathetic heirarchy that is the Catholic Church of Springfield. They have let me down one time too many. I am embarrassed to call myself a Catholic Christian and will now seek my spiritual fulfillment elsewhere. The diocese blew this one big time and only its arrogance is keeping it from correcting its gross error in business and spiritual judgement.

Also, it's time to question father Dan about this so-called "girlfriend" he is keeping in Springfield. I've known for quite some time and it's about time everyone else started at least discussing it. I heard yesterday that information relative to it is now making its way threw town. Hopefully, this won't be swept under the carpet like everything else the church does...I'm sure it will.

Eagle wrote:

<quoted text>
I feel bad for you, but your comment doesn't sound very Christian.

The treatment St Stans has gotten from the diocese is not very christian!

Is this the girl that is named Pat that I have heard rumored through town? Is this also the person he goes to Venice, a city of romance with? I never did believe that it was his brother he visited these places with. Is this also the person that cared for him for so long of a time when he injured his arm?? What kind of woman would want a part-time, priest, lover?

joeme wrote:

Is this the girl that is named Pat that I have heard rumored through town? Is this also the person he goes to Venice, a city of romance with? I never did believe that it was his brother he visited these places with. Is this also the person that cared for him for so long of a time when he injured his arm?? What kind of woman would want a part-time, priest, lover?

If not accurate on all accounts, I am sure that you are pretty close. Having a male friend or female friend in itself does not necessarily lead to indiscretion or hypocrisy, but should the Parish incur any additional expenses for that friend.

It is common knowledge among the professionals in Springfield of Fr. Dan's friend.

It has also been known by some individuals in Adams, that to save on expenses during past trips to the islands, that the registration is under Mr. & Mrs......

This friend could only care for his money in order to put up with his alternate vocation. You all should bring that to the attention of the diocese or do they already know?

Are any protests being planned for Sunday? How can we express our outrage to the Bishop when he FINALLY comes to St. Stans in person?

I was going to be a part of a supposed protest and then I had come to realize that Jesus is inside the Church with a Mass going on and how disrespectful would I be in standing outside when my Lord is calling me inside.

tacklegirltooold wrote:

I was going to be a part of a supposed protest and then I had come to realize that Jesus is inside the Church with a Mass going on and how disrespectful would I be in standing outside when my Lord is calling me inside.

it might show the lord that you stand up for what is right and against what is wrong. everyone has a voice and should use it. I dont think st stans should go down with out a fight!

I still say that, if the diocesan decision is not overturned, that we pull our money and buy the church and the grounds and seek an alternate Christian/Catholic order to administer the faith. A true Parish Council with a true voice would oversee finances and operational administration. If the diocese won't protect the rights of the St. Stanislaus parish, then they need to be replaced.

I'm sorry...I meant to say "POOL" our money.

The Wolves are Shepherding The Flocks in Western Mass

My Church wrote:

I still say that, if the diocesan decision is not overturned, that we pull our money and buy the church and the grounds and seek an alternate Christian/Catholic order to administer the faith. A true Parish Council with a true voice would oversee finances and operational administration. If the diocese won't protect the rights of the St. Stanislaus parish, then they need to be replaced.

I agree 100%

So....can anyone tell me first hand about what happened at midnight mass at St. Stans? Many rumors circulating.

There were several video cameras present that night... a picture is worth a thousand words...

wondering wrote:

So....can anyone tell me first hand about what happened at midnight mass at St. Stans? Many rumors circulating.

wondering,

it will be difficult to get an objective appraisal for several reasons. 1. Fr. Boyle was very emotional, as were many in the congregation. 2. there had been such a long buildup to the planned closing, that people are bound to read into his homily many of their own projected feelings.3. many of the comments from the crowd were barely audible, so there was not always a clear sense of what Fr. Boyle was responding to.

incidentally, I've heard there were several video cameras present.

having said that, what I recall is that Fr. started his homily by asking "Why are we here?" and answering himself that we were not there because of the holiday, or that it was the last Xmas mass, but rather to celebrate the Mass and commemorate Christ's sacrifice (gesturing toward the cross overhead).

he then said "you either believe in that sacrifice, or you don't. it's simple. it's black and white. and, if you don't believe, there's the door right there" (gesturing toward the doors fronting on Hoosac St.).

if he was looking to provoke a reaction, he succeeded. I was told later that several people from the choir loft took his suggestion to leave literally.

now here we are at the crux of the controversy, because so far, there was nothing theologically wrong with what he had said. and yet, his tone seemed so strident that it seemed there was more on his mind than theology.

and sure enough, over the next five minutes or so we got an earful of how parishioners had not behaved as they ought. he mentioned specifically letters to the editor, blogs and yes, this forum.

his tone was odd because he seemed conflicted. on the one hand he was choking up, reaching out and sincerely trying to connect. and, just as clearly, he was exasperated and belligerent - he wanted convert people to his line of thinking, essentially saying that there were no shades of gray, just black and white. at least, that's how I took his message.

things went downhill from there. he made attempts to have some dialogue with the crowd but these failed.

why did they fail? good discussion topic.

some in the congregation observed that maybe this was not the time nor place for this sort of thing, and urged him to just go back to saying Mass.

eventually, he took their advice. he gave up trying to preach and passed the ball to the visiting priest, who was successful in preaching a homily and in moving the service along.

everyone seemed relieved.