Saint Joseph Parish:
Receipts for parish purposes: $1,277.00 from the Sunday envelopes; $60.00 from the second collection (plate); $165.00 from the Dues envelopes; $100.00 from the Block envelopes; $125.00 from the Fuel envelopes; $16.00 from the All Saints envelopes; $55.00 from the All Souls envelopes; $184.00 from the loose. Total: $1,982.00
Receipts for non-parish purposes: — 0 —
Analysis: When one deducts from the total of the parish receipts ($1,982.00) our weekly financial obligation to the Diocese, i.e. assessments ($290.08), plus our weekly premium for property and casualty insurance ($444.49), plus our weekly subsidy to Trinity Academy ($358.17), the sum total of which is $1,092.74, one sees that $889.26 is available from this collection for operating the parish.


Saint Vincent DePaul Parish:
Receipts for parish purposes: $1,056.00 from the Sunday envelopes; $129.00 from the second collection (plate); $94.00 from the Building Maintenance envelopes; $13.00 from the All Saints envelopes; $134.00 from the All Souls envelopes; $66.00 from the loose. Total: $1,492.00.
Receipts for non-parish purposes: — 0 —
Analysis: When one deducts from the total of the parish receipts ($1,492.00) our weekly financial obligation to the Diocese, i.e. assessments ($183.92), plus our weekly premium for property and casualty insurance ($267.81), plus our weekly subsidy to Trinity Academy ($250.98), the sum total of which is $702.71, one sees that $789.29 is available from this collection for operating the parish.

Posted by Charger on March 24, 2009, 6:13 pm
The Reverend Edward Connolly, pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Girardville, led parishoners to a local furniture store Immediately after the 11:30 Mass on Sunday. Father Connolly confronted the store owner and protested the presence of a plaster mannequin depicting a female pirate which he claimed was obscene. State Police were called to the scene and it was determined that no laws were being broken. Father Connolly was then asked to leave the front of the store and disband the crowd.
ADDENDUM : St. Joseph's Church is slated to be closed down within the next month by Allentown Bishop Edward Cullen.

Posted by No Surprise on March 25, 2009, 10:31 am, in reply to "Confrontation in Girardville"
Looks like the noble padre (aka Eddie's Shill) is grandstanding before the axe falls. I wonder if the Bossman has a room reserved especially for him in his new Florida digs?

Posted by Way to Go on March 25, 2009, 3:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Confrontation in Girardville"
He's not grandstanding, just standing up for what he believes in. Did you ever see the articles in the paper when 'Girls Gone Wild' came to the county, he was there too. You may disagree with his tactics, but he has a backbone to back up what he believes in. As far as the ax falling....it had too, that town can't support two churches and if St Joe's is the one to go, its the oldest, biggest and most expensive to heat. St. Vincent's is logically big enough for the small population left in G'ville.

Posted by How do you know on March 25, 2009, 4:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Confrontation in Girardville"
Yes, Father stands up for what he believes and so should a lot of other people and maybe the town would not look like it does. As far as closing the bigger church hope you dont want a seat at a big funeral or at the holidays or the May procession Maybe the Church on Main Street is what we need. Not on a street you cant even have 2 cars go passed each other. And what about the beautiful Chapel for weekday masses. People should look around and maybe help the town get better instead of criticizing everything. And as far as the PM church how do you know what those people are like maybe they will be good for the town.

Posted by IndigoBlue on March 28, 2009, 12:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Confrontation in Girardville"
I think the rev is spooling out.
Posted by crazy! on March 30, 2009, 6:28 pm, in reply to "Confrontation in Girardville"
Instead of Albinus of Angers, Patron Saint against pirate attacks...it's Edward Connolly, pastor of St. Joseph's Church!!!
WHAT A JOKER!!!
Posted by Heat Wave on May 22, 2009, 3:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Confrontation in Girardville"
Let's hope Fr C stops blessing people at Mass and privately. Last time he blessed this lady she wound up in the hospital.

Posted by Charger on June 1, 2009, 8:48 pm
I have been hesitant to join the many individuals ridiculing the pastor of the two Catholic churches in Girardville. I believe he has a difficult job and no support from the crowd in Allentown. When it was brought to my attention, however, that he used the term "whorehouse" in the latest Sunday bulletin in reference to the proper placement for the Girardville Pirate Lady, I feel the pastor has gone too far. There was no reason to use that term in an otherwise pleasant parish bulletin which featured photos of the newest young first communicants in the town; a bulletin that folks would wish to preserve as a family moment to remember. Well past time
to focus on the destruction of the Catholic churches and Catholic schools in northern Schuylkill county rather than employing a matter that was settled by the state police and Pennsylvania law as a smokescreen.
Posted by One who knows Connolly on June 2, 2009, 6:30 pm, in reply to "Out of Control"
I agree with Charger about Fr Connolly, if he had used that word in front of the Sisters in the 40s, 50s or 60s he would have gotten his mouth slapped. Connolly is a loose cannon to say the least, that's why Bp Welsh told him not to write publicly and put him in the 2 smallest parishes, farthest away from Allentown. He would have stayed there the rest of his priesthood had it not been for the closing of churches. Connolly was kept out of the priesthood for 6 years by his own admission on EWTN, when on the first series of Road to Cana he admitted that he was kept out of seminary for 6 years and had problems with celibacy. The seminary director had the good sense to keep Connolly out. Unfortunately he was let in when a new priest took over. That was not the only problem Connolly brought with him. He agreed with Judge Jones decision (as reported in the Republican&Herald) banning teaching Intelligent Design in schools. Need I say more, the man has definitely lost it. Who would curse the owner and the statue, then when the owner gets sick say he blessed her? You can see why Bp Welsh exiled him to St Joseph's, where 80% of parishioners stopped going, also in St Francis 90% left after he became pastor. Need I say more?

Posted by No Surprise on June 2, 2009, 8:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Out of Control"
He's just another tool in the Patriarch's revenge against the good folks of Schuylkill County (very effective, I might add).
Posted by Charger on June 13, 2009, 9:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Out of Control"
This fellow Connolly is becoming a major problem for the borough of Girardville. He is now planning to say a Mass for the illegal Mexican immigrant killed in the street fight in Shenandoah last year. It appears as though he is attempting to stir up trouble.

Posted by pax on July 6, 2009, 4:44 pm, in reply to "Re: Out of Control"
What's wrong with saying a Mass for a deceased person? By the way, it's Father Connolly not fellow Connolly.
Posted by girardville on July 13, 2009, 6:32 am, in reply to "Re: Out of Control"
did anybody see the what this fellow wrote in this week about how we owe mexico and give them a break and welcome them. take a good look at girardville and shen. then welcome them.

Posted by Jim Connors on September 12, 2009, 9:36 pm, Board Administrator
According to the Pastor of St. Joseph's church in Girardville, it costs $23,113.48 annually to cover property and casualty insurance in the parish. That figure is almost half of the total yearly collections for a parish which no longer uses it rectory and has shuttered its elementary school. It may be time to monitor the weekly church collections and possibly apply some prudence to expenditures.
Time to open the books.

Posted by Charger on September 20, 2009, 8:40 pm, in reply to "St. Joseph's Church in Girardville"
An item from the latest Sunday church bulletin: DID YOU KNOW THAT MONEY — also known as “filthy lucre” — is a principal transmitter of disease-bearing germs? It is not healthy to have a lot of money in your possession!
We want our parishioners to be healthy. So, here is our suggestion: Gather up all of all of that nasty, dirty money lying around your house or in your wallets or purses and drop it off at St. Joseph Parish or St. Vincent dePaul Parish.
We will dispose of it appropriately. There is no charge for this service!
Posted by No Suprise on September 22, 2009, 12:21 pm, in reply to "Re: St. Joseph's Church in Girardville"
I think the Rev should be chained on a diet of bread and water in the Bell Tower at CB.

Posted by Jim Connors on October 10, 2009, 9:10 pm
There is something very wrong with the Sunday collection reports from St. Vincent's and St. Joseph's Catholic churches in Girardville.
I believe them to be bogus and that an independent committee from each church is needed to witness the counting. It appears that a scenario is being established for the retention of St. Vincent's and the closure of St. Joseph's. Please note that I use my proper name on this post and will demand that any reply does the same.
Posted by Tim Dando on October 14, 2009, 1:12 pm, in reply to "Girardville Church Collections"
It's a done deal. The diocese has just been waiting for the entire school closing thing to pass before they drop the hammer on St. Joe's. They assigned a priest who is driving parishioners out the door at St. Joe's so they can use that as ammunition to close the doors. What a joke!

Posted by Jim Connors on October 20, 2009, 10:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Girardville Church Collections"
It is my belief that tens of thousands of dollars was stolen from St. Joseph's parish in the past few years. And perhaps much more. Until there is an independent audit taken, the good folks of Girardville will never know the extent of the theft. A truly sad story unfolding in this church which has served the Catholic community faithfully for over one hundred and thirty five years.

Posted by Charger on October 25, 2009, 10:08 pm; Message modified by board administrator October 29, 2009, 10:55 pm
November 22nd 2009 will mark the second anniversary of the Cardinal Brennan Alumni website. It's been a wonderful ride and I enjoyed every minute. I hope others have gotten some fun reviewing it and hopefully some information on fellow classmates and old friends. Over the past two years, I've received countless e-mails from alumni asking me to forward messages off screen and I was happy that I could do so. It was done without ever exposing an individual e-mail address. It would now appear that much of the give and take on the board has been exhausted and rather than having constant postings from only the moderator, I believe it is time to discontinue the site. Unless something unforeseen occurs between now and the 2nd anniversary date, the CB Alumni will stop publishing on November 22, 2009. I thank all who contributed. You are the reason it lasted so long.

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If anyone has any questions or desires any clarifications about anything that is asserted in these blogs, please let me know. I’ll try to answer any question you have or respond to any concern you might have. E-mail is preferable but phone calls are okay too.
Allow me to make a personal comment: These blog entries include some attacks on my integrity — as a man and as a priest. The thought occurred to me that, perhaps, I should defend myself. Then it occurred to me that Jesus did not defend Himself. So, I can’t go wrong if I follow His example. Besides, God is my defender. Nothing escapes His attention. I gladly forgive anyone and everyone who expended time and effort to write untrue and unpleasant things about me. I extend to them the peace of Christ and my best wishes for their good health, happiness and, most of all, their salvation. God willing, I hope to remain in Girardville for a good long while yet and maybe even longer.

THE ROMAN CURIA is all of those congregations, councils and committees that assist the Pope in the government of the Church. There are nine congregations, each with its particular area of concern. One of these congregations is THE CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENTS (CDW for short.) A Congregation is headed by a Cardinal who is called the “Prefect”. Recently, the CDW submitted a list of proposals to Pope Benedict XVI, all of them having to do with revisions in the celebration of the Liturgy. One of these proposals is quite interesting to me. The CDW is suggesting to the Pope that he abolish the indult (permission) for “Communion in the hand” and return to the practice of “Communion on the tongue”. We shall see what will become of this proposal. I strongly suspect that Benedict is already in favor of abolishing the indult. Whether he will actually do so is a matter for speculation. I am including it in my prayer that he will do so.
It occurs to me that Blessed Teresa of Calcutta would be an excellent heavenly intercessor for this favor. Reason: Perhaps you are familiar with the statement of Mother Teresa, which we have on the authority of Fr. George Rutler, pastor of St. Agnes Church, Manhattan.

”I will tell you a secret, since we have just a thousand close friends together, and also because we have the Missionaries of Charity with us. Not very long ago I said Mass and preached for their Mother, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and after breakfast we spent quite a long time talking in a little room. Suddenly, I found myself asking her – I don't know why -- 'Mother, what do you think is the worst problem in the world today?' She more than anyone could name any number of candidates: famine, plague, disease, the breakdown of the family, rebellion against God, the corruption of the media, world debt, nuclear threat, and so on. Without pausing a second she said, 'Wherever I go in the whole world, the thing that makes me the saddest is watching people receive Communion in the hand.'"

I have invited Father John Schweikert, MSC to come to Girardville for the week of 29 November in order to conduct a Parish Mission for both of our parishes.
Fr. Schweikert is a native of Schuylkill County and a member of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, based in Aurora IL.
As you know, a mission is meant to be a time of re-awakening and of re-kindling our devotion to God. It is a time for enhanced awareness of whence we have come, why we are here and whither we are going.
We will print the Mission schedule in next weekend’s bulletin.
Meanwhile, start thinking of persons — lapsed Catholics and non-Catholics — whom you would like to encourage to take part in the Mission.