The topic: Streator Catholic billboard controversy



What happened?

Billboards around the Streator area indicate "Save Catholic Education" and "Do Not Close St. Anthony's Church" with pictures of St. Anthony school and church directing viewers to call the listed Peoria Diocese phone number. The posters asked the advertising company to keep their names anonymous and they have not come forward. As of press time, the diocese had not received any calls pertaining directly to the billboards.

"I think it would have been appropriate if they approached me so I could address their concerns and questions," Monsignor John Prendergast, pastor of the Streator Catholic Community, told The Times. "The reality is everyone is concerned about saving Catholic education. We're working to save it."

Why does it matter?

Rumors abound about the future of the Streator Catholic Community. A Sept. 29, 2007, letter from Bishop Daniel Jenky was sent to all Streator Catholics outlining the intent to consolidate the parishes into one church with one school. The recent elimination of the 4:30 p.m. Saturday Mass at St. Anthony has reignited controversy.

"There are people that somehow got the perception that the school was going to close, even though we've always been committed to the school," Prendergast said. "As far as the churches, we've been on a vision of one parish, one church since 2007."

"We chose St. Anthony's for our spiritual home and we were looking for a Catholic education for our children," Karen Ricca told the Times. "When you shut down a church that has a school, the school suffers greatly."

"They took away the 4:30 Mass and confessions and they're moving the priest out of the rectory," said Sean Peters, a law student in Champaign-Urbana, who has attended St. Anthony his entire life. "I think the writing's on the wall. It's a tragedy to close any of these churches. I just don't understand why the Catholic Church in America doesn't care about its heritage. It's a shame."

The churches had meetings in late 2007 and more than 1,000 parishioners attended. A Vision 21 Board was formed, with three members of Immaculate Conception, St. Anthony and St. Stephen on the board. Vision 21 was formed as an advisory board, to review the needs of each parish and to make recommendations for the future new campus, which would be named St. Michael the Archangel after the original Catholic parish that served the city in the 1870s.

"I think the majority of people are open to the process," Prendergast said. "I think everyone is tired of hearing rumors back and forth and wanting to get in the process. Most people in the middle want what's best for the faith community."

Peters, meanwhile, is concerned about the future of Catholic membership in the community.

"I've heard of a lot of people leaving the Catholic Church," he said. "I don't want people to become disenchanted with the church, but it's already happening. I don't know what's going to be left of the church in Streator."

Prendergast said collections have risen more than seven percent at all parishes.

What's next?

Prendergast is currently having a Naperville architectural firm, Healy, Bender & Associates, evaluate all building structures and what it would cost to make needed repairs. He expects a report by mid-December.

"The next big step in January will be to have a major meeting with the Vision 21 Board," Prendergast said. "Then we'll find a way to get information to parishioners. Now we're at a stage to have some concrete answers."

"If (Prendergast) already thinks that the report is such that he has to close the church, then he's not going to listen to me," Ricca said. "It's his report. We don't get a vote when it's shared. There's nothing about the Catholic Church that's a democracy."

Prendergast emphasized a new complex is not in the planning stage at this point. But when a new church is built, plans are to incorporate as much of the existing parishes as possible.

"One of the directions that will be given to the architects would be to use as much of the stained glass as possible," Prendergast said.

Despite this, parish members say they'd like to see the current churches remain as they are.

"Young people more today than ever are appreciating the old churches," Peters said. "I think it's a really misguided idea to destroy our churches. They're a part of Streator. I'm a young person, only 27 years old. I'm the future of the Catholic church and I'm begging Bishop Jenky not to destroy our parishes. It's just a tragedy to demolish these churches to build a barn out in the country."

Prendergast addressed in the Nov. 8 church bulletin the status of the property the Diocese of Peoria bought on the southwest corner of East Main Street and Airport Road. Prendergast said the land has not been sold and had been bore-tested on four sides prior to purchase to ensure it would support construction. A mine shaft runs through part of the property, but according to the report the church received, the land would support a church, school, social hall, administrative center, rectory, outdoor stations of the cross and picnic area.

The church plans to move administrative offices from the St. Stephen rectory in January, 2010 and the St. Anthony rectory in June, 2010 to the St. Stephen convent. Both rectories will remain standing until a decision has been made about the future of the church. One priest will live above the administrative offices at the convent, while the other lives at the Immaculate Conception rectory.

Ricca and Peters both alluded to the closing of St. Patrick's in Ransom, and fear the same could happen to any or all of the churches in Streator.

"I'd like to remind people that the churches in Streator aren't the only ones around," Peters said. "There are also churches in Rutland and Kinsman and other area towns that are still open."

Meanwhile, since 2007 the community has been consolidating church ministries.

"The one thing written in stone was that Monsignor Ham would be leaving in June, 2009, then we would be working on consolidating ministries. Guardian Angel Outreach has been established, it's an outreach to pregnant women or women with young children who have needs. This is a ministry that is supported by volunteers from all parishes. We also have established a joint Bible study, joint education for new Catholics and a joint choir between St. Stephen and Immaculate Conception."

Want to do more?

Prendergast has established a question-and-answer opportunity for parishioners. Boxes have been set up in the vestibule of each church where questions can be placed. Only questions that are signed with addresses will be addressed, either in the Sunday bulletin or personally. Names and addresses would not be printed in the bulletin.




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