Ray and Jean Weyer, St. Joseph
Regarding: Letter to the Editor May 10, 2013
We’re glad Paul Ritzenthaler’s first impression of St. Joseph’s Church was a good one! We’ve lived in St. Joseph for 53 years and the church is like a second home to us. Our six children were baptized and received the sacraments in the church. The church isn’t just a building. The “church” is the people who gather in that building to worship. Because we don’t visit with the people around us during services in the Catholic Church, we need an accessible place to gather before and after masses to find out how our friends and neighbors are doing and to get to know new members. Maybe we can assist them in some way!
Our parish had talked about and wanted a gathering space for more than 30 years. The monastery isn’t interested in selling any property, so we have to use the land we have to its best potential. If we are patient until the project is done, there are plans for trees and shrubs to be planted. The children need a place to play. And, since Jesus said “Let the children come to me,” it will be a joyful thing to see them playing on the front of our church property.
Paul is being judgmental in saying a “very minimal number of the congregation” are in favor of the “progress.” Many of us are very excited about our “Gathering Space,” and we are happy with the way it blends in with the school.
Please wait until the project is complete and you may be surprised at how beautiful and useful this building will be in our community!