St. Vivian Online Discussion Forum: Rebuilding

Thread initiated by Steve Glassmeyer on 7/19/04.

Alright, Fr. Kroeger is leaving. There are lots of hard feelings (some mine, some caused by me). I am ready to work at restoring our parish, and want to be part of turning it in the right direction.

As a show of my commitment, I have deleted my website. I will do my best not to be decisive in the future, but I will not sacrifice my Catholic tradition for the sake of peace.

I am also ready to work! We have so much to do! Please let's not forget that we're not only committed to restoring our parish, but committed to Father Kroeger, making good on our claims to assist him during his recovery. I have personally opened up my home, e-mail, and phone lines to him should he need my husband's or my assistance. As I stated in my second post on the PIC Website,"...with our love, support and forgiveness, Father Kroeger can heal."

by Nancy Glassmeyer on 7/19/04 at 12:08 PM

Steve - thanks for shutting it down. I knew it existed but never visited. Nancy, thanks for offering your assistance. I trust you will do the same for all those (adult and children) parish members that need healing. All help is needed so thanks for doing your part (direct it appropriately).

by on 7/19/04 at 10:28 PM

There's no need to give Nancy instructions on how her offers of assitance should be directed. Any and all help is appropriate, regardless of it's direction.

by CTM on 7/20/04 at 8:49 AM

My reason for commenting on this forum was to remind everyone that in addition to the survivors of Father's abuse, Father Kroeger continues to be in need of support from his parish. In no way did I mean to imply that he's the only one in need of support. In no way did I mean to imply that he's more important or more deserving of our support. I simply didn't want him to be forgotten during the restoration process. Forgive me for not being clear.

by Nancy Glassmeyer on 7/20/04 at 09:23 AM

Nancy and Steve thanks for starting this threadÖ..

Maya Angelou writes, ìGod puts rainbows in the clouds so that each of us- in the dullest and most dreary moments- can see a possibility of hopeî. We are looking up for the rainbow. We are ready for healing. We are open and eager for reconciliation. Our prayers continue to be for Father Kroeger and our parish family. Our doors, phone, and ears are open to hear what our fellow parishioners need to share and we want to work with everyone to bring peace and love to this wonderful place.

by John & Patty Hadden on 7/21/04 at 10:39 PM

Thank you, John and Patty! We'll be in touch...

Respectfully yours,

Nancy and Steve Glassmeyer

by Nancy Glassmeyer on 7/22/04 at 7:16 AM

Sharon and I echo the expressions of the Glassmeyers and Haddens. We also vow to live the Prayer of St. Francis. We may not always succeed, yet we will continually pursue the goal of peace expressed in that prayer.

We also believe face-to-face contact is the only real way to reconcile, so this will probably by our only comment on this thread. See you at Mass!

 

by Jim Meyer on 7/22/04 at 8:11 AM

Thank you Steve & Nancy for starting this thread. As has been stated by all, this now is the time for the reconciliation of our parish and continued prayers for Fr. Kroeger.

Thanks in advance to the prayerful consideration given by all who post here.

 

by Maria Meyer on 7/22/04 at 08:32 AM

by on 7/23/04 at 02:03 PM

As a sign of pease I offer you Steve and any others that wish to join in, an invitation to "Guys night out" next Thursday night. Let's start working on healing by getting together and putting this chapter of our lives behind us. Steve I feel it is time we meet and get to know each other, in this way we might understand each other a little better and perhaps we can start the healing for ourselves and others.

by Randy Kent on 7/23/04 at 07:53 PM

It's wonderful to see the commitment to coming together and moving ahead. I'd like to make a comment and an offer ---

The comment: The "guys night out" sounds like a good conduit for bringing together people who don't know each other well and to begin learning about each others gifts. At the same time, I'd like to hear thoughts about similar means of bringing together more individuals from the parish through a forum that is less gender specific.

The offer: Through my adventures this year in leadership studies, one of the books I've picked up is "Leadership & Spirt" by Russ Moxley of the Center for Creative Leadership in North Carolina. I don't want to mis-cast this book as a direct application for religious organizations. It is written to the objective of bringing out the spirit and passion of people in the workplace, and feeding that spirit in passion to achieve not only organizational fulfillment, but individual fulfillment in a hand-in-hand journey. Its insights apply to all organizations, and in application, can provide a welcome, healing salve to the wounds within St. Vivian. I would emphasize this can be a tool for the process, not the process itself.

Several offers here actually - I'd be happy to loan my copy of the book to anyone interested in it. A man I work with Batesville, and several of the senior fellows I know at Center for Creative Leadership are friends of the author. I will write to see what the lowest price available is, and donate as many copies as possible to our library at Church.

I will also be happy to facilitate discussions relating to nurturing the emerging and evolving lay leadership at St. Vivian. Whatever it takes.

One thing is certain: especially in this period of change, communication is very important throughout the parish community. I am happy to see this discussion board, and I am happy to discuss ways we can proactively extend communication through the parish and invite more discussion.

Respectfully and wishing peace to you all -

Jane

by Jane Browe on 7/24/04 at 09:10 AM

Thank you Mr. Glassmeyer for beginning the "Rebuilding" thread. As we continue to pray for Father Kroeger, we also need to continue to pray for the children of St. Vivian Parish. The new school year is just around the corner. Our children need to feel a sense of peace and understanding as they continue on their spiritual journey and educational path.

by Nicole Price on 7/28/04 at 10:00 PM

Steve and Nancy,
I love Father Kroeger very much. He and I were really good friends, because I played piano at all the masses and he preached at most of the masses. We used to talk and joke around all the time. I miss him so much. I am so happy to hear that you guys are supporting him too! It is so kind of you to open your home, phone, and e-mail to him during this difficult time. I must say that I would do the same. Steve and Nancy, you and your children are one of the nicest families I know! I am so lucky to know you guys! I am with you 100% for helping Father Kroeger, as well as all the parishioners in our church heal and forgive one another. God bless all of you.

by Julie Borgerding on 7/28/04 at 11:01 PM

While we all appreciate freedom of speech, any personal attacks or negative comments directed at or about anyone, whether signed or posted anonymously, will not be tolerated. This forum is meant to help St. Vivian not tear it down.

The webmaster

Dear Julie,
I am sincerely sorry for your sense of loss and disappointment at Fr. Kroeger's leaving. It is an honest and heartfelt sharing of a sense of personal loss. I believe your description of your intereactions with him to be truthful and I'm glad that was your experience with him.
I believe that it is only in embracing and trying to understand and ACCEPT each other's disappointment, no matter where your heart is on this issue, that we will heal as a community.
Thank you for sharing your feelings with us in this forum. I hope that you will be able to continue to feel God's presence at St. Vivian's as we move ahead and work to strenthen our Christian family there.
God's peace to all,
Sharon Meyer

by Sharon Meyer on 7/29/04 at 09:52 AM

Thank You !!!!!!

by on 7/29/04 at 09:54 AM

24 hours & counting. Let the rebuilding begin!

by Brian Eve on 7/30/04 at 11:58 PM

I am speaking on behalf of my staff and myself- I cannot express my gratefulness for all the wonderful, concerned and affirming people of St. Vivian Parish. We look forward to a very special school year with everyone committed to working together and doing our personal best for the children entrusted to our care. It is appearing that our school theme- "Look at the world in a new way" is going to be very appropriate and easy to work with. We welcome your support. We will work to support our parish. We thank the Good Lord for watching over us. It is such a relief to have everyone pulling together! Thanks for making this site available!

by Jean Margello on 7/31/04 at 2:45 PM

Welcome back Fr. Paul! Glad to have you back! Let us know how we can help in any way!

by Brian Eve on 7/31/04 at 10:53 PM

To add a comment to this thread, fill in the form below.