Welcome!Parish Gatherings

Saturday, February 8, 2020, at 6 p.m.

Sunday, February 9, 2020, at 12:30 p.m.

St. Fidelis Social Hall in Meridian

St. Fidelis Parish

St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Lyndora St. Conrad Church in Meridian

St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Lyndora

History

1917 Committee of local citizens petitioned Bishop Canevin to form new Polish parish.

1918 New parish formed. First Mass celebrated in German Beneficial Society Hall on Jan. 27.

1919 Land purchased for church. Cornerstone laid Sept. 28.

1920 New church dedicated on July 25.

1995 St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, St. John Parish and St. Conrad Parish in Meridian merge to become St. Fidelis Parish with Lyndora and Meridian worship sites. The St. John worship site closes.

2018 St. Stanislaus Kostka’s 100th Anniversary celebrated with Mass on Jan. 27 followed by reception.

2018 St. Fidelis Parish (Meridian & Lyndora) becomes part of Butler Area Catholic Parishes grouping, which also includes St. Andrew, St. Michael, St. Paul and St. Peter Parishes, effective Oct. 15. Weekend Masses no longer celebrated at Lyndora site – it remains open for baptisms, weddings and funerals only.

2018-19 Lyndora site used for one funeral, no baptisms, no weddings.

Why We Are Here Today

• Upon establishment of new parish grouping in October 2018, questions regarding usage of St. Stanislaus Kostka campus were raised at pastoral and finance council meetings with Father Kevin Fazio, administrator.

• Diocese of Pittsburgh personnel advised administrator to focus on building relationships and unifying parishes within faith community during first year of the new grouping’s establishment.

• Concerns by administrator, finance council members and director of business and property management continue to be raised about fiscal situation for St. Fidelis Parish and deteriorating physical condition of the Lyndora campus.

Why We Are Here Today (continued)

• October 2019 - Diocesan personnel, along with parish representatives, visit Lyndora worship site to assess and discuss condition of campus and its future.

• November 2019 - Parish representatives meet with diocesan staff members at St. Paul Seminary. All parties agree and diocesan personnel give approval to address concerns and future of the Lyndora worship site.

Relevant Concerns for Lyndora CampusDwindling number of parishioners living in Lyndora

Small seating capacity in church (approximately 225)

Very limited parking

Not handicapped accessible

No bathrooms

Water and mold problems in church building and rectory

Crumbling bricks / mortar

Steeple struck by lightning in July 2019 - damaged area capped

Rectory has been vacant since around 2015-16

Necessary repairs to building (steeple, water and mold issues, bricks, etc.) would run into tens of thousands of dollars

St. Fidelis Parish’s offertory declining for more than 6 years

Cost to Maintain Lyndora Site - $16,130for November 2018-October 2019

Expenses Annual Cost

Heat $2,835

Electricity $ 930

Water $ 230

Insurance $7,500

Building Maintenance $1,000

Grounds Upkeep (Grass cutting, snow removal, etc.) $1,105

Sewer Fee $ 540

Taxes $1,990

TOTAL $16,130

The steeple of St. Stanislaus Church in Lyndora was struck by lightning in July 2019.

Thankfully, there was no fire inside the church and no one was injured. The church has not been used since the lightning strike. The steeple has been capped.

The damaged cross that sat atop the steeple was removed by Butler volunteer firefighters on the evening of the lightning strike. It remains in the possession of St. Fidelis Parish. – Steeple Photo: Butler Radio Network

St. Fidelis Parish - Meridian Site

Strengths of St. Fidelis Campus in Meridian

Vibrant parish - weekly Mass attendance averages between 700 and 800

Plenty of seating (approximately 400)

Large, flat parking lot

Handicapped accessible

Large social hall available for gatherings

Bathrooms in church and social hall

Parish offices located on campus

Faith Formation building includes youth group (JAL) room and atria for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program

Buildings and grounds are in good condition

Interior of Meridian Site

From Lyndora to Meridian

• Stations of Cross moved from Lyndora to Meridian – mounted and illuminated at St. Fidelis (St. Conrad Church building) in December 2019

• More artwork and statues will be moved from St. Stanislaus to be placed at the Meridian site

Financial Concerns for St. Fidelis Parish

• Offertory income at St. Fidelis has declined steadily for more than 6 years

• Parish Share collection for 2018 was short by $20,000, which resulted in transferring $20,000 from savings (cash reserves) to cover the shortfall

• Parish Share goal for 2019 is $106,402 – we are currently short by more than 25%.

St. Fidelis Parish’s Offertory Declining

$750,104 $695,552 $675,776 $656,865 $611,106 $550,695

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019

St. Fidelis Parish’s Annual Offertory Totals

Next Step

After comprehensive study and extensive review of data:

The recommendation of the Pastoral Council, Finance Council and Administrator is to petition the Bishop to close the St. Stanislaus Kostkacampus.

Using the keypads

• Attendees voted on the questions in the next four slides using an Audience Response System.

Question 1

Do you understand the financial pressure facing St. Fidelis Parish?

1. Completely understand – 89%

2. Somewhat understand – 11%

3. Do not understand – 0%

Results are from audience feedback at the February 8 & 9 parish gatherings.

Question 2

Do you understand that the cost of maintaining the Lyndora site is over $16,000 per year even though the church building and rectory are no longer used?

1. Completely understand – 100%

2. Somewhat understand – 0%

3. Do not understand – 0%

Results are from audience feedback at the February 8 & 9 parish gatherings.

Question 3

How well do you understand the recommendation of the Pastoral Council, Finance Council and Administrator to close the Lyndora campus?

1. Completely understand – 93%

2. Somewhat understand – 7%

3. Do not understand – 0%

Results are from audience feedback at the February 8 & 9 parish gatherings.

Question 4

Do you understand the need to act upon the recommendation soon?

1. Completely understand – 98%

2. Somewhat understand – 2%

3. Do not understand – 0%

Results are from audience feedback at the February 8 & 9 parish gatherings.

Recommendation will allow us:

• To reduce the costs of building maintenance for St. Fidelis Parish

• To direct financial resources to mission and ministry

• To better provide for the pastoral and spiritual needs of the faithful and foster greater vibrancy in the parish

• To help ensure financial stability for the future of the parish

United as One

• When WE work together WE will accomplish great things!

• Develop one stronger parish community• Continue the work we have begun in our grouping• Bring our parish families together into one parish• Further unite us as One True Body of Christ• Continue to celebrate our gifts• Bring staff, resources and ministries together• Strengthen the ministries we already are sharing• Develop new ministries

Thank you for attending and

sharing your feedback!