Named after one of my favorite saints whose body still lies in a plexiglass case in Rue Du Bac with Catherine Laboroure at the Miraculaous Metal shrine.
Went to Mass and the visiting priest is from around Nice in the South of France. very Nice. Ever wonder where people from the South of France go on vacation in August? New York! (apparently)
August is miss your favorite priest month because the French ones all go on about a month's vacation.
Actually Father Greenfield, an American priest from Washington even got to France this summer (in spite of repeated 'take me take me with you' begging I find myself now in New York not France at the moment but still hoping that changes soon:-)
Note to Dolan- you definately cannot close that Saint Vincent de Paul parish- first, the place was packed to the gills today in 'ordinary time'. It has a rockin' music ministry complete with a band and carribbean drums. The singing was energetic, vibrant, worshipful and whole-heartedly spirit-filled.
The Congregation attending today were about 90% people of color darker than my collective freckles from the African French speaking and french Caribbean world. The music compositions had everyone swaying in their seats. They clapped at the end. I was transported musically into an african village somewhere in the Caribbean.
Note to Dolan:
You need to do maintenance on that church. Paint, renovate, repair and plant geraniums out front in the dirt pits by the wilting trees. There is a little french community hanging around Chelsea. Every starbucks I sat in there were french speakers around me. There is a little Parisian macaroon shop across the street, a french style bistro next door titled "american bisto" but serving enough french fare not to fool anyone, and other shops pretending to be french all along there. All weekend there is a parisian style flea market in a garage about a block away. Its a fun hood. It is packed with people. Lots of street traffic of people who would wander into such a beautiful building with amazing paintings and stained glass if only it were open and repaired. It is in fact a well hidden gem in the city. It is on the same street just down the street from the Muhlenberg branch of the NY Public Library.
The English Mass before the French one was not nearly as well attended as the French one- because French catholicism is thriving better than the English version??? (don't know). In any event there could be a lot to raise revenue and the roof on that church. Here are just a few suggestions aside from the obvious:
1. increase the curb value by planting flowers, painting the doors and stone washing the exterior. Like this week. Refurbish the paintings which once were likely not so soot covered or dark. Repair the roof.
2. Keep the church open all the time and have a sacristan or someone monitor so no one who doesn't come worshipfully (vandals, thieves, etc.) gets in.
3. Set up elaborate candle stands with donation boxes for people to put in dollars (suggested cost of candle lighting everywhere)
4. Set up a Prayer Intention box so people can put in prayer intentions with their name and phone number and a section to tick if they want a priest to call or visit.
5. Host dinners for a reasonable amount at the Parish or if there is not enough room in the church across the street at the unused old restaurant/bar of the Chelsea Savoy Hotel (they set up a breakfast until ten there but its empty for the rest of the day and could easily be used to host events of the church)
6. Get a full time priest from France in residence there at all times.
7. Host french music concerts for a price or donation.
8. Host French sacred art exhibitions (could also be in conjunction with the public library down the street)
9. Run Pilgrimmages to France to visit the French Saints and sites- set up a separate corporation, profits to benefit the maintenance of the historic church Saint Vincent de Paul- start by visiting Him (Vincent de Paul) in Rue du Bac in Paris- start to run pilgrimmages to Paris from the parish. Set it up as a non-profit pilgrimmage outfit- to benefit the church maintenance and repair/renovation.
10. Have 24 hour adoration in the church and a place for at least 20 people to stay on the property for perpetual adoration. Overflow can stay at the Leo House (after they fire their night manager)- or better yet, the Chelsea Savoy Hotel at a group discount rate.
Get help with a cultural itinerary from Roland Celette, cultural attache of the French Embassy on his way back to France.
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