Beacons of light and closing/consolidating of parishes

[MickeyMantle]

He starts off making excuses for for his admitted ( no way in hell his worst sins, just admitted) sins. He didn’t take the time to grieve properly, ALL HE HAS IS TIME, and we all lose loved ones.
The new Bishop was cool with the first response and only pulled off this fake self evaluation pity party after brave parishioners rebelled.
See you in the news a decade from now in east Jesus Ohio Marty. Sad

He starts off making excuses for for his admitted ( no way in hell his worst sins, just admitted) sins. He didn’t take the time to grieve properly, ALL HE HAS IS TIME, and we all lose loved ones.
The new Bishop was cool with the first response and only pulled off this fake self evaluation pity party after brave parishioners rebelled.
See you in the news a decade from now in east Jesus Ohio Marty. Sad

Trust me, I had the same eye-roll, "oh yeah, of course," reaction as I read it. At the same time, empathy and hope for better is not out of line. Hopefully this is the start of better management and communication from the archdiocese and hopefully it's a new beginning for a clearly flawed individual. Is it likely? Not if we read history. Is it possible? As another poster said, hope springs eternal.

 

[MickeyMantle]

Yeah, not off to the best start. Probably should not have relied so heavily on what Father Don was telling him.

I agree here. Cincifb asked me why I thought this was a result of Casey. Hopefully he realized what you just said above and has recalibrated. Not outside the realm of possibility that he relied too much on Don here while in the whirlwind of taking over a huge job.

 

[??????]

I agree here. Cincifb asked me why I thought this was a result of Casey. Hopefully he realized what you just said above and has recalibrated. Not outside the realm of possibility that he relied too much on Don here while in the whirlwind of taking over a huge job.

I also think that hope springs eternal. I also think it’s possible to have hope without putting your head in the sand.
So the new bishop is in line for the job in Cincy, he’s done his homework. He knows all about Cincy. He knows all about their history of covering up pigs, especially on the west side. As he arrives to town, one of his wealthiest, biggest, and most influential family parishes under his umbrella Has a priest accused and parishioners in an uproar. He absolutely was all involved with the handling and the deflection of this situation. He absolutely was part of the letter that was read two Sundays ago at mass. He absolutely knew they were going to accuse the parish of sinful gossip, he absolutely knew they were going to try and hide it, he absolutely met with lawyers, and had countless meetings on the handling of this situation, and I think otherwise is absurd
So when you say, I hope he just relied on father Don because he was getting acclimated to a new job. You deflate more of my hope that there will ever be change to a system that is wickedly flawed.

 

[E82]

Spent some time reading the Divine Mercy Facebook group and man that page is a complete mess. One poster is even blaming Trump for the issues the parish is facing. lol I feel for everyone at Visi, but I can’t help but think some of what I’ve read that those posters are planning on doing is only going to make things far worse for the school and parish.

Facebook is full of loud people that talk a big game and then accomplish nothing.

 

[Pantherontheporch]

I was curious to see what the collection was last week. For some reason, yesterday's bulletin is not linked on the parish family website, the latest is last Sunday June 1. Maybe it will be posted later today.

 

[Don Flamenco]

Facebook is full of loud people that talk a big game and then accomplish nothing.

Agreed. I have to say some of the things being said by some of the moms on there about the new Principal, who hasn’t even arrived yet are totally out of line IMO. One wrote multiple paragraphs blasting everything about the lady based on “rumors” and “what she’s heard from friends” and then at the end says she isnt making any “accusations”. Just ridiculous.

 

[TheDude]

I find it interesting that people are allowed to post in that FB group as anonymous.. If you have something to say, put your name behind it. Too many times are people ok with spreading rumors when they can hide behind their screens.

 

[Orin Swift]

Agreed. I have to say some of the things being said by some of the moms on there about the new Principal, who hasn’t even arrived yet are totally out of line IMO. One wrote multiple paragraphs blasting everything about the lady based on “rumors” and “what she’s heard from friends” and then at the end says she isnt making any “accusations”. Just ridiculous.

Brb, gonna find that lady and say the same things about her and end with “not making any accusations, just reporting what I’ve heard.”

 

[TylerDurden]

I find it interesting that people are allowed to post in that FB group as anonymous.. If you have something to say, put your name behind it. Too many times are people ok with spreading rumors when they can hide behind their screens.

Unfortunately, based on threats made by Fr. Don in the past, people are afraid to speak up out of fear of retaliation. I've been told Fr. Don met with the Archbishop just last week regarding 40 families and the parents social media activities so it seems there may be something to those concerns.

 

[Orin Swift]

Unfortunately, based on threats made by Fr. Don in the past, people are afraid to speak up out of fear of retaliation. I've been told Fr. Don met with the Archbishop just last week regarding 40 families and the parents social media activities so it seems there may be something to those concerns.

Nothing says love and forgiveness like retaliation. Way to lead Catholics by example, Fr. Don.

 

[TylerDurden]

Agreed. I have to say some of the things being said by some of the moms on there about the new Principal, who hasn’t even arrived yet are totally out of line IMO. One wrote multiple paragraphs blasting everything about the lady based on “rumors” and “what she’s heard from friends” and then at the end says she isnt making any “accusations”. Just ridiculous.

I'm not in favor of spreading rumors, but I will say, a great way to stop them from being spread is to answer basic questions.

Honestly, the only recurring topic that I have a disagreement with the vocal folks on is the eucharistic chapel. If the church wants to build one then that's their choice, especially if the funds are all coming from a donor. And, despite what some of these people might think, that wealthy donor has the right to give his money for projects he wants, not what the community thinks.

 

[TheDude]

Unfortunately, based on threats made by Fr. Don in the past, people are afraid to speak up out of fear of retaliation. I've been told Fr. Don met with the Archbishop just last week regarding 40 families and the parents social media activities so it seems there may be something to those concerns.

The more reason to have people's names and faces behind the posts. This is coercion and intimidation, which both can be criminal. Gotta hold on those receipts!

Maybe this is just me complaining about screenagers, but ultimately, the momentum the parish has right now is uplifting.

 

[Pantherontheporch]

Unfortunately, based on threats made by Fr. Don in the past, people are afraid to speak up out of fear of retaliation. I've been told Fr. Don met with the Archbishop just last week regarding 40 families and the parents social media activities so it seems there may be something to those concerns.

Back in the day we’d say, “Man, this dude is on one heckuva power trip!”

 

[TylerDurden]

The more reason to have people's names and faces behind the posts. This is coercion and intimidation, which both can be criminal. Gotta hold on those receipts!

Maybe this is just me complaining about screenagers, but ultimately, the momentum the parish has right now is uplifting.

Again, this is just things I'm hearing (technically my wife is hearing and passing along to me lol) so take it with a grain of salt, but I'm told Fr. Don has verified he can have kids removed from the school without any type of legal ramifications or it affecting EdChoice money. It's great to say "put your name on it" but, as parents, we're fighting an uphill battle. I'm sure the McQuaides and Zureicks are on that list of families Fr. Don has targeted, and even though everyone agrees those families did the right thing, the kids may be punished as a result of that.

For the record, my wife and I haven't made any posts on the FB page, but we've liked plenty of things that have resonated with us and haven't done it anonymously. No idea if that's the smart move or not, we shall see. Hopefully you're right and things are turning in the right direction.

 

[TylerDurden]

Back in the day we’d say, “Man, this dude is on one heckuva power trip!”

It's that and then some. The guy truly believes he's the savior of Visi parish and the push back he's been getting is because the devil has infiltrated the school and that's what he's fighting. Late night secret "blessings" in the classrooms were not a thing in my Catholic upbringing, and weren't part of my kids' either until Fr. Don found it necessary a couple months ago.

 

[E82]

How I miss Father Jack.... May he rest in peace.

 

[TheDude]

Again, this is just things I'm hearing (technically my wife is hearing and passing along to me lol) so take it with a grain of salt, but I'm told Fr. Don has verified he can have kids removed from the school without any type of legal ramifications or it affecting EdChoice money. It's great to say "put your name on it" but, as parents, we're fighting an uphill battle. I'm sure the McQuaides and Zureicks are on that list of families Fr. Don has targeted, and even though everyone agrees those families did the right thing, the kids may be punished as a result of that.

For the record, my wife and I haven't made any posts on the FB page, but we've liked plenty of things that have resonated with us and haven't done it anonymously. No idea if that's the smart move or not, we shall see. Hopefully you're right and things are turning in the right direction.

Yeah, i can understand this. It's such a tough position to be in, because the last thing these families want to do is uproot their kids, especially if they have already created connections with other kids at the parish.

From an outsider without a child at Visi, it feels a bit easier to put your name on it.

 

[PantherVOR]

It's great to say "put your name on it" but, as parents, we're fighting an uphill battle. I'm sure the McQuaides and Zureicks are on that list of families Fr. Don has targeted, and even though everyone agrees those families did the right thing, the kids may be punished as a result of that.

I would say the Zureicks and McQuaides are safe because they did use their names and because their accusations turned out to be founded. It would be extremely stupid of the AoC to blacklist them now.

 

[MickeyMantle]

I'm sure the McQuaides and Zureicks are on that list of families Fr. Don has targeted

My God, talk about a parish administration shooting itsself in the foot.

 

[Orin Swift]

I would say the Zureicks and McQuaides are safe because they did use their names because their accusations turned out to be founded. It would be extremely stupid of the AoC to blacklist them now.

The AoC has shown they are perfectly capable of being extremely stupid, time and time again.

 

[TylerDurden]

The AoC has shown they are perfectly capable of being extremely stupid, time and time again.

Exactly. And to be clear, when the AOC/Fr. Don greet parishioners with signs like this, it's clear who they think was in the wrong last weekend and it's not them. lol

 

[E82]

It's real simple......Father Don needs to go, and everyone should continue to refrain from donating to the church until that happens.

 

[PantherVOR]

The AoC has shown they are perfectly capable of being extremely stupid, time and time again.

Sure they have, but with names provided this stupidity would be actionable. I could see that level of stupidity costing them ! And at that point many of us would be done with any church associated with the AoC costing them even more ! I know I would!

 

[cincifbfan]

Exactly. And to be clear, when the AOC/Fr. Don greet parishioners with signs like this, it's clear who they think was in the wrong last weekend and it's not them. lol
View attachment 82723

Man, pot meet kettle. They were the ones that started the activity which detracts from prayer in the first place with outright lies.

How can anyone in good conscience go to church there or even worse send your kids to school here with all that's going on is completely unthinkable.

No matter how much you love what Visi used to be, it no longer is that. It's gone and there are plenty of choices within a 15 minute drive that'll actually care about its parishioners.

 

[Budda]

Man, pot meet kettle. They were the ones that started the activity which detracts from prayer in the first place with outright lies.

How can anyone in good conscience go to church there or even worse send your kids to school here with all that's going on is completely unthinkable.

No matter how much you love what Visi used to be, it no longer is that. It's gone and there are plenty of choices within a 15 minute drive that'll actually care about its parishioners.

I completely agree with your last statement. UNLESS....there is a reckoning of a change that defines the parish mission and they bring on trust worthy folks within the parish walls to help drive change immediately. I do feel for the young people starting families.

 

[Pantherontheporch]

Should Archdiocese of Cincinnati apologize to parishioners following priest porn fallout?

Some members of Our Lady of the Visitation believe the archdiocese owes them an apology.

local12.com

Fat chance.

 

[TommyHoltmeier]

Bulletins for this coming weekend are posted, and there is some news to share here.
1. What is most relative to what we've been discussing: the collection this past weekend at Visi was only $14k, which is way down. Last weekend's, which was reported only $12k, has now been corrected to $22k though. How they magically got $10k is beyond me.
2. The Divine Mercy Family is cutting the daily mass schedule due to Fr. Don being the only priest. The 6:30am mass at Visi is gone, and the new schedule is Monday Friday St. Joseph 8am, Tuesday Thursday Visi 12pm, and Wednesday St. Jude 8:30am.
3. The Westside Catholic Family announced its new weekend mass schedule, and as expected, Resurrection will no longer have a weekend mass. The incredibly low attendance there was completely unsustainable, so it is a good move but still unfortunate for the few who went there. The new schedule, while it does cut the 3pm St. William mass we go to a lot, is actually pretty strong in my opinion.

 

[Orin Swift]

Bulletins for this coming weekend are posted, and there is some news to share here.
1. What is most relative to what we've been discussing: the collection this past weekend at Visi was only $14k, which is way down. Last weekend's, which was reported only $12k, has now been corrected to $22k though. How they magically got $10k is beyond me.
2. The Divine Mercy Family is cutting the daily mass schedule due to Fr. Don being the only priest. The 6:30am mass at Visi is gone, and the new schedule is Monday Friday St. Joseph 8am, Tuesday Thursday Visi 12pm, and Wednesday St. Jude 8:30am.
3. The Westside Catholic Family announced its new weekend mass schedule, and as expected, Resurrection will no longer have a weekend mass. The incredibly low attendance there was completely unsustainable, so it is a good move but still unfortunate for the few who went there. The new schedule, while it does cut the 3pm St. William mass we go to a lot, is actually pretty strong in my opinion.

Possible fat fingered a “1” instead of a “2?”

Are the donations typically around the $20k mark? If so, $14k is a significantly drop.

 

[TylerDurden]

Possible fat fingered a “1” instead of a “2?”

Maybe. Or maybe a wealthy parishioner wrote a check. The AOC said it was an issue with online payments not being posted correctly.

Are the donations typically around the $20k mark? If so, $14k is a significantly drop.

The weekly goal for Visi is 29k. My best guess is donations have been under that mark this year, maybe in the 25k range.

 

[PURPLE REIGN]

The AOC said it was an issue with online payments not being posted correctly.

Here is the problem. For many of us the AOC is now among a group of organizations (government, pharma, media, food, healthcare, etc.) who have lost public trust.

It has taken years, but it has been eroded...one lie and one scandal at a time.