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Most Reverend John R. Quinn Archbishop of San Francisco 445 Church Street San Francisco, CA 94114 Dear Archbishop Quinn: We are members of St. Brigid Church Choir, and we feel it is our duty to express our concerns about the closing of our church. Let's review the arguments given for closing St. Brigid Church: 1. Not Enough Parishioners: The Parish is doing its best to change that. We have a very successful RCIA Program. In 1992 we had ten converts, in 1993 there were 16 converts (ten of whom were Baptized), and in 1994 there are seven candidates for conversion. That sounds like a real step in the right direction. 2. Aging Population: We understand it is the desire and goal of the Archdiocese to attract younger people back into the church. We at St. Brigid's have a very active Young Adult Group and a soccer team which attracts young people. Father O'Sullivan has done a commendable job working with the young people in our parish. 3. Money: St. Brigid Parish is not in debt. We are operating on a budget, true, but we are not in debt. 4. Shortage of Priests: Do you really think that by closing churches you will attract young men to become priests? Has it occurred to you that fewer Masses on Saturday/Sunday would be a far better solution than closing churches? 5. Ethnic Changes: Where are all of these "non-Christian Asians" hiding? We have many Chinese Catholics in our parish and we have a regular Sunday Mass to accommodate them. We also have very fine Catholic Filipino people in our parish. Isn't it the Will of God, and also the policy of the United States of America, that we integrate and learn to know and love each other? We are attempting to accomplish that here at St. Brigid. 6. Earthquake Retrofitting: Are you sure that you have the best estimate for the cost of the repairs? Has it occurred to you to get a second, or even third, opinion? St. Brigid has withstood two major earthquakes without structural damage, which indicates it's not in too bad shape. Is the $5 million figure for repairs a realistic one, or is it another case like the $200 toilet seats supplied to the Military? The reasons given for the closure of St. Brigid Church do not make sense. That, plus the fact this was all kept a deep, dark secret until recently, leads us to only one logical conclusion: St. Brigid Church is being closed for only reason: MONEY -- FINANCIAL GAIN FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE. St. Brigid Church is located on a very valuable piece of property, and it's not unlikely that an offer has already been made from some real estate developer. Many question why the School is allowed to remain after the Church is closed. This, too, fits into the "Money" argument. With the high cost of private school education today, and with the closure of St. Brigid Church, all of that tuition money would revert back to the Archdiocese. The needs of the parishioners and the community are being ignored for financial gain for the Archdiocese. Is this the true spirit of Catholicism? Isn't this a mixed signal that you are sending out to those who might be interested in becoming Catholic or those who might be considering returning to the Church? St. Brigid Parish is a loving, caring, sharing community. Surely, you are aware of the active groups -- the Ladies' Sodality, the Senior Group, the Italian Catholic Federation, the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, the new-formed Liturgy Committee, the Lay Ministers--Hospitality, Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers, the Young Adult Group, the RCIA Program, and last, but certainly not least, the Choir. We are a community, a family, and we do not want that family broken up. "Family Values" (or a lack thereof) is a very timely subject. Why not apply a little of that to the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and let these "families" remain intact. We hope and pray that you will reconsider your decision, and allow St. Brigid church to remain open and to continue to be the viable parish that it has been and continues to be. Sincerely,
ST. BRIGID'S CHOIR
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