Food pantry might close doors with parish closing

The neighborhood surrounding Resurrection of Our Lord parish looks to be solidly middle class, but there is a serious need in the community, a need that some fear will be left out of the archdiocesan consolidation plan.

In his response to the archdiocese, Wyrsch [the pastor] tried to stress the significance of the parish as an example of modern architecture and would like to see it become a neighborhood center that people still could depend on.

"Someone suggested we open a pantry independent from the church's. That's well and fine, but where are we going to get the money?" [Jane] Fuerst said. "Most of our volunteers are in their late 70s, early 80s. When we get to the point where we can't do it anymore I don't know what's going to happen. But we're tough old birds. We'll hang in there. Right now we're just putting it in God's hands. I'm sure He will take care of it one way or another."

So, keeping the parish accomplishes what, if there are no longer any volunteers for the food pantry? But this indicates a deeper problem it seems...for the parish must be a viable source of sacramental graces which was not discussed at all and if it does not accomplish this primary function, it fails.

And of course, we know that God will provide whether under the auspices of the parish or some other entity.

Article.