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Unbelievable tragedy - my church was burned this past Saturday. They've ruled it arson! When our PLC went into the church Sat morning to turn up the heat before choir and RCIA practice, the smoke poured out at her. Firefighters came quickly, but most of the roof is gone, and some of the floor collapsed into the basement. As far as I know, only one small statue of Mary and possibly a small podium (I think it was one where one of our books of intentions was) were saved. I watched the last of the flames being put out by the time I arrived there Sat afternoon, and smoke poured out for hours, as the slate roof came off in pieces. Beautiful glass windows had been blown out and broken. The steeple in the front w/ the cross remains standing tall! The second cross near the back end of the roof fell inward into the church. The building was only 83 years old. The first Mass celebrated in it was on an Easter Sunday. The last, on a Good Friday. It's so sad - a beautiful, brick landmark in the town, the county seat. It was the only Catholic church in our community (although we share a priest w/ 2 other churches, approx 15 - 30 minutes away from it). We did not get to have our Easter Vigil that night, but by Sunday morning, we had a Mass pulled together in a local school auditorium - I think it must have had record attendance! Several of us changed our family Easter plans in order to stay home and attend Mass with our parish family. The positive feelings and support have been amazing! And I know SO MUCH GOOD will come of this! We plan to rebuild. I'll be going today and tomorrow on my lunch hour to help w/ a prayer vigil outside our burned building that we're doing daily all week long. Please say a prayer for us for St Anne Catholic CHurch in New Castle, IN. For our parish family, for our community who is supporting us, for our rebuilding, for those responsible, and for those investigating.
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Thanks. I can't tell you how amazing this experience already has been! Yes, it's unfathomable. So far, they're not releasing any details, but some local firefighters (LOVE those guys!!!) have told me they found accelerant in the basement. There are several theories about it, and a $25K reward if a criminal is convicted, so I hope they figure out who is responsible, if it means preventing this from happening again. The firemen were great. You know how they are! It was amazing to watch them work. And a little scary!
Stork that is terrible!It must have been so sad to watch the fire burn. It sounds like you have a strong parish. You all will come together and the rebuilding will be a special effort. Please keep posting here to let us know how things are shaping up in the time to come. Prayers are with you and your parish family!Michelle
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Thanks All. The Archdiocese HAS said we'll rebuild. Cute story - last Sat., we went to our first Mass there since the tragedy. We squeezed into the one "large" room in our Parish Center (an old, very small school). Of course, we were running late - had to wake Baby A up from a nap to get there. I'd missed the Healing Service we held earlier in the day, an d when we walked into Mass, Sister was finishing up her update on matters.We snuck into the very back row (sitting next to the fridge in our little kitchen in folding chairs. Almost funny - I was hoping A. wouldn't amble over to investigate it). Father was standing 6 chairs away, waiting to process. I guess just before we walked into, he told one of the ushers that it just didn't seem like church - in these two tiny, connected rooms, it was just too quiet. Well, we came in, A started to wiggle around and make some sounds, and Father got a big grin on his face and said, "NOW it sounds like church!" I think I'll get used to having Mass there. Reminds me of attending Mass w/ an army chaplain friend of ours at a local AFB when I was little.... Next week, we'll try to get there earlier and sit farther up in the rec room so I can try to prevent A from exploring the kitchen.... The folding chairs are SO much fun to crawl on and off. I miss the kneelers already - they were the best (quietest) entertainment.....
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A suspect was arrested this week - police say he confessed to setting the fire in our church after stealing a sacramental bottle of wine. I can't imagine that is the whole story. This was a man in his early 30's who is also believed in causing some property damage to an outdoor statue, the week before the fire. I hope this allows our parish family to have some closure and help us to begin the healing process and rebuilding. We're getting estimates on rebuilding our church. I believe a decision will be make in the next few weeks about if we have to tear the entire structure down and start anew, or if we can use a portion of the original building....
