Thursday, January 05, 2012

St. Leo's gets some attention.

I haven't been to St. Leo's but a Reuter's Photographer has. (Update: So has reader Andy... see link at the bottom)

There is a corresponding article. And the Photographer's blog on the subject

St Leo's will be one to watch. One day perhaps I will be able to visit this ~120 year old church. Here are the recommendations of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council:
... St. Leo is encouraged to begin to develop in early 2012 with completion by June 2012 a plan to merge with St. Cecilia. In light of the financial and building maintenance challenges and the thriving charter school at St. Leo, but the need for a continued Catholic presence in this part of the city, the planning group is encouraged to consider one of the following two options:
1. St. Leo church be offered to the current Charter school for sale, continuing Outreach at an acquired location to yet be determined ...
2. Negotiate with the current charter at St. Leo’s to consider renting the school at St. Cecilia’s, (larger property may serve its needs), therefore providing an opportunity for St. Cecilia’s-St. Leo to thrive as a united community at the St. Cecilia site, but continuing to serve the poor in the community.
It's not certain that this one will be closed, but the odds seem to be stacked against St. Leo's. It doesn't appear to be used very much as a worship space (only 1 mass time listed on AOD site), but the outreach is very important to the people of the city. Hopefully an amenable solution can be attained so that the poor can be served here or nearby for many years to come.

Reader Andy posted some pictures to his Flickr account. (202 to be exact)

3 comments:

Andy said...

I was just at St. Leo's on Saturday taking pictures of it since I know it might possibly be closing. My pictures can be found here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60124357@N06/sets/72157628803437373/

God bless,

Andy Hoxie

Andy said...

I'm not sure if the whole web address is included in the previous comment because the address is so long. Please add the following to the end of the other part if it does not automatically show up when you copy and paste the first part:

157628803437373/

Andy

Κηφας said...

April 2014, not closed yet. We seem to be trying for a third way that allows both congregations to stay at their sites. Merger was not particularly natural or well received, but we are rolling with it I guess.
Happy Easter!,
Peter H.