DU, the inner city needs you for a minute

[mdmc]

Hey DU!
My sig line contains a story about how my church needs to be saved. Saint Mary's is used by all groups in the city that have no where else to go. Father Bill is everyone's priest, not just white catholics. The inner city of Newburgh needs this church.


Here is an article about the communities use of this church -
http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2006/04/04/sports-kkglocalcolumn-04-04.html
snips -
Trouble peaks from every sidewalk crack. But not in St. Mary's gym, not in Harold Rayford's program. The kids come here to play ball and leave as gentlemen. Next thing you know they are straightening up their grades and thinking about college. Many of them are the first in their family to go.
snip-
"If it closes,'' Rayford said, "I don't want to be walking in Newburgh.''

Why? "Because of the chaos. It would be a mess.''

Rayford is not overstating it. Some of these kids have little else. Ideally, their lessons learned at St. Mary's would make a permanent mark. But there is nothing ideal about surviving the elements. Kids can handle only so much rejection.

++++The hip hop community has come to the aid of St. Marys - they are holding a concert to aid the church.


From left, Shakur, Scafidi, Krizek
http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/Archive/StMarys_artists-19Apr06.htm

snips- “We feel that St. Mary’s Church and Father Bill have been a vital part in Newburgh’s history and an important cornerstone in efforts to provide recreational outlets, children’s programs, and a spiritual outlet for the citizens and residents of the community,” said Shakur.

“This is our chance as artists to reciprocate and show our appreciation towards Father Bill and the church for what they have done for our community.”

Church youth minister Pamela Krizek agreed with Shakur, and added that the community will be losing an important spiritual and social leader in the community if St. Mary’s leaves Newburgh. “There are so many programs and people that utilize our church for their benefit. He (Father Bill) is the spiritual chaplain, the role leader, or the director for so many different organizations. He is the leader as servant of Newburgh.”



I am asking that all DU'ers send a super quick email to the pope. There doesn't need to be a message, just write "Keep Newburgh, NY St. Mary's Church open!". The Pope's email address is [e-mail] .

If you could do this for me, I would really appreciate it. Peace and low stress, mdmc. AND Thank You!

[EFerrari]

1. Can do.

:kick:

[mdmc]

3. thanks and peace

low stress to you!

[hwmnbn]

2. done.... and kicked..... nt

[mdmc]

4. 'preciate it

much appreciated.

[OregonBlue]

5. Done, along with a nice note to His Holiness!

[mdmc]

6. thanks and peace

:)

[OneBlueSky]

7. anything positive in downtown Newburgh is badly needed . . .

years ago I worked as a district aide to a Member of Congress, and our office was in the post office building right in a pretty rundown section of town . . . (we could see "Big Nell's," a former brothel of some repute, from our window) . . .

when I returned to the city about ten years later, I couldn't believe the urban decay that had taken place . . . street upon street of beautiful old homes with classic Victorian architecture (among other forms) literally falling apart from neglect . . . the neighborhood where the post office was situated looked like Harlem in its worst days . . .

after thinking about it for awhile, I became convinced that the situation presented a huge opportunity for people with foresight who were willing to take a small risk for a large return . . . Newburgh is a riverfront city on the Hudson, and eventually someone was going to realize its potential and start buying up properties to renovate and restore . . . within a few decades, I figured, Newburgh would be a shining "City on the Hill" . . .

sure enough, perceptive investors (including a lot of gays) have slowly but surely begun to move in -- one street at a time -- and start the city's renaissance . . . if I had the money and wasn't disabled, I probably would have taken a chance myself . . .

in the meantime, though, parishes like St. Mary's are oases in what is still, for the most part, something of an economic, social and cultural urban desert . . . it should NOT be closed . . .

[mdmc]

9. testify onebluesky!

thanks for your help. we have until 5-15-06 to appeal. :hi:

[Ms. Clio]

8. hope it helps!

and it's probably the only time in my life I will ever send e-mail to the Pope!

[mdmc]

11. thank you kindly, Ms. Clio

I am very glad that I have gotten to meet you here at DU. Peace!

[Ms. Clio]

17. The pleasure has been all mine, mdmc

I hope very much that this works out.

:hi: :hug:

[mdmc]

32. it will work out

peace

[laheina]

10. Done.

I wrote the pope a nice letter regarding your church and his easter address--including my parish info. :)

But may I ask, why are we writing to the Pope? Wouldn't there be some nice Bishops and Cardinals that we could harass? :evilgrin:

P.S. I hope that you had an awesome B-day!!

[mdmc]

12. Thank you for the birthday thoughts!

Actually, Cardinal Egan has been very dishonest in his handling of this realignment. NYS Senator William Larkin asked Egan if there was any way to keep St. Mary's open. Egan responded that St. Mary was in over one million dollars in dept, so it would have to close. Senator Larkin relayed this message to Father Bill. Father Bill informed Senator Larkin that St. Mary church actually had only a tenth of that debt (just over $100,000.00). The Larkin family (actually the Senator's son) wrote a check then and there for $25,000.00! 25% of Saint Mary's debt was erased! Everyone was :mad:

Cardinal Egan is what is wrong with the church. Emailing him is a waste of time. The Pope may be able to sway the course of this realignment, if he decides to do so. The Pope has an email briefing (where the contents of his "in box" are summarized for him on a daily basis). Lots of emails will at least put an idea in his aids head.

[etherealtruth]

13. For you, anything I can do to help!

[mdmc]

14. love conquers all things!

great sig line!

[Catherine Vincent]

15. This would have to go all the way to the Pope?

Why not the nearest diocese? I'll do it but I'm jus wondering why it has to go up that far.

[mdmc]

16. Cardinal Egan is really against us, so we are trying to place additional

pressure on the NY Archdiocese. They seem hell bent on getting rid of St. Marys. :mad:

I have little faith in the Church, but I have absolute faith in Father Bill and in God.

We are writing letters to the appeal board. We are hoping that if enough email make it to the Vatican, it may influence the American realignment.

We are also working on taking out a full page ad in the New York Times!

Basically, it is a multifaceted approach to keep the church open.

If you are willing, there is an address to the appeal board located in my sig line.

Peace and low stress cat_girl25

[Catherine Vincent]

19. Okay, was just asking.

Plus I wanted to wait and send it from my home email address. Thanks.

[mdmc]

21. thanks so much cat_girl25

peace!

[madokie]

18. done. How is your personal life going now. are you back up and electrified

[mdmc]

22. yup!

I'm all juiced up now! Looking at a candle burn every night for two weeks really took a toll on my xbox skills. The internet is still down at the apartment, but the lights are on.
I'm still looking for a job, and I had a good interview yesterday.
Thanks and peace madokie!

[brook]

20. Done.

:kick:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

23. Done! I hope this will help. The Church is doing "housekeeping"

in NYC and surrounding areas.

This is soemthing really weird. Right near here in Peekskill, a convent on beautiful riverfront property, has been partially been made into apartments for "Independent Women".

Good luck mdmc and have a fantastic low stress peaceful day! :hi:

[mdmc]

24. thanks ommm

gonna be in cold spring today watchin the kid! peace to you!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

25. Your welcome and welcomed to "my side" of the Hudson, anytime!

Have fun!

[mdmc]

26. hey ommm

my sis and b-in-l are now registered to vote in cold spring. two more primary voters for our guy!

:~)

I hope your going to the Clearwater fest. I got my ticket yesterday. Peace!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

27. That's great about your sister and brother-in-law! Yeah!!!! As to

the Clearwater fest... Unfortunately I work on weekends and can't attend. BTW... a fun free one, kicking off the season is the Shadfest at Croton Point Park (I love that place). It's being held on Sunday, May 21st.

I used to vend at most of the river festivals until I brought my business online.

http://www.crotonblog.com/archives/parks-recreation/get_your_shad_h.php

[mdmc]

28. is your business link in your sig line?

that sounds like a nice event...

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

29. It really is a neat event to go to. Good food, lots of people, music etc.

Riverlover's is a great organization. :) As to my link, I just sent you a PM! :)

[mdmc]

31. thanks

ommm

gonna check it out!

[myrna minx]

30. Done. I've never emailed the Pope before. n/t

:hi:

[myrna minx]

33. One more kick.

:kick:

[mdmc]

41. thanks for the

:kick: :yourock:

[mdmc]

34. there is going to be a march today

I am going to try to attend. I mentioned DU at the last meeting. Perhaps there will be some new folks here.

[mdmc]

35. About 300 people marched

I walked with my Golden, Ginger.

[newburgh]

36. pic from the march

Several hundred people participated in today's
march and rally in the City of Newburgh in support
of the effort to keep St. Mary's Church open. The
Archdiocese of New York has targeted that church
as one to be closed

[mdmc]

37. Welcome to DU

Nice pic. I'm from Newburgh too!

[VelmaD]

38. Just for you it's done...but if I start getting spam from the Pope...

I'm blaming YOU. :P

[mdmc]

40. get your redemption here!

Get your kind, veggie, redemption here!

:)
God willing, no spam. :~)

[Blue_Tires]

39. ttt n/t

[mdmc]

42. anyone else willing to send an email to the POPE

[mdmc]

43. one last

:kick:

[mdmc]

44. tonight is the hip hop concert

I'm gonna go check it out!

[annabanana]

45. done. . .. . n/t