August 24, 2023
Dear Parishioners,
I write to share with you some important developments in the life of our parish that I believe can benefit our common life through ministries that engage and accompany our parishioners and help us pass on the faith to the next generation.
We must remember that we are called as a Catholic family of faith to share the sacraments and to contribute to the building-up of the Kingdom of God – most often referred to as the building-up of community, which is not always easy. It demands sacrifice and the sharing of our lived experience. We need to be present with one another to build such community and to share both our joys and the sorrows together. In today’s world, most Catholics would recognize that simply attending Mass by themselves or with their families isn’t enough. There is a deep desire to feel truly connected to something greater than themselves, the desire to experience true Christian community.
We are also called, each in our own way, to help pass on the faith to our children, young people and those adults who are seeking a relationship with the Lord Jesus. Our parish has been challenged to find appropriate space to fulfill this critically important mission. Our school building is rented to a separate educational institution. As a result, we have limited, available space that once housed our Faith Formation Program. We have an excellent Faith Formation Program staff, and they need additional space in which to offer their services to those who seek it.
I am happy to announce that the parish has purchased 19 Riverside Avenue as the new home for our Faith Formation Program and other parish offices. It was previously owned by a longtime parishioner, Marlene Schinto, and has been purchased for $1.4 million with the approval of the bishop and with the unanimous support of the parish council. The home will be the hub of our expanding Faith Formation Programming, as well as needed office space for other parish activities.
Given the purchase of this new building, much of the existing planning regarding the use of the St. Agnes campus must now be re-evaluated. Since 19 Riverside Avenue will be the hub of all faith formation, there is no need to use the St. Agnes campus for this ministry. Further, after four years of trying to sacramentally revitalize the St. Agnes campus, Mass attendance, among other things, remains low. As a result, the long-term viability of retaining the St. Agnes campus has become an urgent question to resolve. It seems inevitable to conclude that it is no longer optimal or in the best interests of the entire parish to continue operating St. Agnes campus.
At the same time that the 19 Riverside Avenue property became available for purchase, the parish was approached by Greenwich Country Day School to discuss a possible purchase of the St. Agnes campus by the School. We expect to continue exploratory discussions with the School in the coming weeks. I expect to present a final proposal from the School for consideration by the parish’s leadership. I will also keep all parishioners fully informed of all developments as warranted.
It seems to me that the education of our children, whether in Catholic, independent, public or private schools, is a mission of great value and one consonant with our mission as a church. If any sale is finally decided upon, it will serve the needs of the young people of Greenwich.
I recognize that the possible sale of the St. Agnes campus represents a significant change in the plans of the We Stand with Christ Campaign. If the sale becomes a reality, with respect to funds raised for renovations at St. Agnes, those donors who allocated their donation to the St. Agnes campus renovations would be invited to permit their donations to be used for projects on St. Catherine’s campus or request their donations back. The parish will honor all such requests.
I understand that these plans will provoke many emotions and questions . The parish leadership and I will be available, to the extent possible, to meet with you to answer your concerns. I also pledge to keep you fully informed of developments as they move forward in the coming weeks.
For the immediate moment, I ask that we join our prayers to ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit to discern what is the best path forward to strengthen our community and assist in our common desire to bring it to long term renewal.
Very truly yours in Christ,
Reverend William F. Platt
Pastor
