Catholic faithful respond to pastoral plan

NORWICH – Catholic parishioners of Norwich took one last chance Thursday night to openly offer the ideas they believe can sure-up and clarify the final proposal that will eventually guide their congregational futures.

An abridged parish council from St. Bartholomew’s and St. Paul’s Church comprised of Father Douglas Cunningham, President Ron Storrin, Trustee Theresa Blenis, and Secretary Christine Carnrike heard over a dozen presentations in the Holy Family School gymnasium asking for additions, subtractions and some general changes to “The Pastoral Plan.” The proposal was requested by the Diocese of Syracuse in March, and was recently formulated by a planning sub-committee based on a compilation of written submissions, and will be sent to Bishop James Moynihan for review by Thanksgiving, committee members said.

Several presenters had common issues with portions of the document’s demographic studies, listing of church assets, financial structuring, breakdown of the parish council and language, as it pertains to furthering the positive representations of both churches.

Also included was a call for the aesthetic, historical and spiritual identity of St. Bartholomew’s Church to be conveyed.

“Nowhere in this plan is it stated that the main asset of St. Bartholomew’s is the magnificence of the church,” said Joanne Taranto Baker. “I pray that St. Bartholomew’s church will be saved as a tribute to those hard working Italian immigrants, as a work of art and as a place of God.”

Some suggestions were directed at the umbrella name “Roman Catholic Community of Norwich,” which encompasses the now-called “St. Paul Church” and “St. Bartholomew Church.”

“Over the past 75 years we’ve had two identities. Now in the past five years we’ve had our names changed twice,” said St. Bart’s parishioner Geraldine Cusamano. “It creates confusion and it’s unnecessary. We need to keep it simple.”

“There is a historical importance to keeping the names the way they are,” said St. Bart’s parishioner Fran Nial, adding that if melded, “The historical importance goes away.”

St. Paul’s parishioner and Parish Council Secretary Christine Carnrike hoped that the desired distinctions will not blur the overall identity of the Catholic faith.