Our Progress Report

posted Nov 19, 2015, 5:15 PM by Saint George Church Preservation Society   [ updated Nov 23, 2015, 6:52 PM ]

At the St. George Church Preservation Society, we are now in our fourth month of existence and we have made some significant progress. As described in our Mission Statement, our objective is to see the former St. George Church remain intact as a Catholic sacred space to serve as a worship site of St. Mary of the Mount Parish. We do not plan to oppose the Diocesan proposal to write off the debt and suppress St. John Vianney Parish. Our efforts are focused on protecting and preserving the church. We have notified Bishop Zubik that we do oppose the separate Diocesan proposal to relegate the church to secular use and then demolish it. We have stated our willingness to enter into a co-operative arrangement* to support the operational expenses of the church and to support a phased restoration program. We have also notified the Diocese of our intent to appeal their closing and demolition proposal through the Vatican court system if it becomes necessary. *It is important to note that similar co-operative arrangements as described above are already in place at other Catholic churches throughout the country. Through the generosity of our supporters and our successful benefit dinner, we are able to fund our start-up and administrative expenses and the retainer for our canon lawyer in Rome. After some additional fund-raising, we are planning to offer to provide cameras and a security system for the church. We are planning a combined crowdfunding and pledge campaign to establish a reserve fund to support the operational expenses of the church and a fund to support the phased restoration of the church. Please check our Facebook page and our web site frequently to follow our progress and as we plan other activities to benefit our mission.