Hi Everyone,
I put together a web page on the Lost Churches website containing my photos from the last couple of days. It's easier to share them with other people that way.
The link is: http://www.lostchurchesofstpaul.com/stjstp/TheEndOfStJohnsAsACatholicChurch.html
Theresa - Thanks for checking with Kathy Lantry. I guess that confirms the sale of St. John's to Muslims but it won't be completely official until a sales agreement is signed and there is a formal announcement. Rumor has it the signing will take place on June 23.
I sent Kathy Lantry the above link and she told me the same thing she told Theresa.
I sent Father Zuhlsdorf an email message about what's happening to St. John's with the link to the photos. His almost immediate reply was simply, "To muslims..." It will be interesting to see if he mentions this in his blog.
I posted pictures of St. John's Church with and without the cross on a couple of East St. Paul Facebook pages. People are posting some nice comments and messages of sympathy. I didn't mention the part about it becoming an Islamic Center. I'd just as soon not be the one to break that news to my neighborhood until it is absolutely positively official. The rumor is already circulating around here anyway.
I contacted the news editor at the East Side Review but I haven't heard back from him. They did the best print coverage of our closing last year.
All was quiet at St. John's today. I drove past three times but didn't see any activity. The big lift was there in the morning but gone by early afternoon.
I ran into Vic Tedesco today. The first thing he said was that he heard St. John's was being bought by Muslims. News travels fast. He also said to say hello to everyone.
Does anyone know if an Islamic Center always contains a mosque or might the church be used for something else? I have to admit my knowledge on this subject is very limited.
That's it for today. Everyone stay calm.
Greg
June 05, 2014
What a day! It begins with this e-missive from you, Greg, and continues with your worthy contribution to the Pioneer Press Letters to the Editor column. Duane and I thank you for both.
Speaking of news traveling fast…My inbox contained a message from Catholic Parents Online conveying that organization’s condolences over what has happened to St. John’s.
From: CPO Info [mailto:cpoinfo@usfamily.net]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2014 11:09 PM
To: info@catholicparents.org
Subject: Important Prayer Request!
Friends, we tell you with much sorrow and deep concern that the building that formerly housed the parish of St. John’s Catholic Church on the East side of St. Paul, MN is being sold and will become an Islamic Center (Mosque).
Ms. Kathy Landry, President of the St. Paul City Council, and Council member for Ward 7 has stated: “The archdiocese has sold the property and it is to become an Islamic Center.“
We ask your prayers for the people from St. John’s parish, and all the faithful of our Archdiocese that our Lord may surround them with his love and comfort at this difficult time of loss and sorrow for the spaces that were once sacred and consecrated to our Triune God.
Yours in Christ,
Colleen Perfect, President
Catholic Parents OnLine
June 05, 2014
A blog post from yesterday.
http://eponymousflower.blogspot.com/2014/06/archdiocese-selling-historic-church-to.html?m=1
The Blog:
The Eponymous Flower
ANTE DIOS NUNCA SERAS HEROE ANONIMO
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Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Archdiocese Selling Historic Church to Muslims?
Update 19:26 GMT: the sale has been confirmed by the listing agent, but the Archdiocese refuses to discuss it. City Council Member Kathy Lantry also confirms this:
I am writing to let you know that we have a Purchase Agreement on the Church of St. John's in Dayton' Bluff. The buyer intends to use the church for an Islamic worship center and the house as residency for the minister. They have no intended use for the school at this time.
Edit: it's a church that was active on St. Paul's East Side for 127 years when its pastor, Father George Welzbacher said its last Mass. It's been a part of home, of homeland, a consolation and a source of learning for generations of Americans, students, parishioners, pastors and the people of the neighborhood. It was one of the more conservative parishes in the Archdiocese. Soon, it will be another conquest by advancing militant Islam.
Now it looks like it's being sold to Muslims. The asking price is less than a million dollars, which seems a bit on the cheap side. We're contacting the Archdiocese, but haven't heard anything yet.
Listing here.
Thanks to liberal immigration policies, the streets are teaming with Muslims and their increasingly visible presence is taking advantage of the continuing decline of Christianity
And don't ask where we got the information.
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June 05, 2014
Greg, concerning the Islamic Center question. There is one across the street from Totino Grace High School in Fridley. They don't have a mosque there. However in the case of St. John's, there is a ready made place for one. So ... I assume it will definitely become a mosque.
What does anyone think about rescuing the cement cross from the dumpster (assuming it hasn't been taken away yet)? Yes, it's in pieces (I saw it yesterday when I drove past it and looked in), but could/ should it be rescued? I attempted to move one of the large pieces to find out it is quite heavy. I don't believe it would be stealing as there is a law stating that once something is thrown away it no longer belongs to the "thrower - awayer". Thoughts?
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