PASTOR’S CORNER

As we progress in our planning of the future Gathering Area, two of the many issues that need to be addressed are the future of the Grotto and the future of the gravesite of Fr. William A. Wachter who died in 1934. Many of you have expressed concerns about the impact of the construction on these two historical elements of our parish. Both the Mercury and the Archdiocese have also. With regards to Fr. Wachter’s grave, nothing will need to be done. Both the head of Twin County Construction and of our Building Committee believe that neither the demolition of the rectory or the digging of the Gathering Area’s foundation will disturb this gravesite. Until a few weeks ago, my gut told me that the future excavation work would inevitably disturb his grave; and therefore we would need to exhume his remains and intere them in our Parish Cemetery. I asked, Joan Mooney who handles all of our cemetery issues to contact both the Archdiocese and the local authorities to see what needed to be done, in order that we could accomplish this in a timely manner. There were a lot of ducks to line up, but within a week’s time Joan had all of the information we needed and had made arrangements with all of those needed to accomplish this task, this included doing a “sounding” of the gravesite. You will be interested to know that Fr. Wachter was buried ten feet below ground, instead of the normal six feet. Apparently, Fr. Wachter died shortly after one of the influenza outbreaks, and health officials did not want to take any risks of contamination. Fr. Wachter did not die of the influenza. His casket was placed in a brick vault with a slate top.

The issue of the Grotto is a thornier challenge, but one for which there are solutions. Everyone loves the Grotto and most people like it just where it is. Unfortunately, for esthetic reasons, the Grotto won’t be able to remain where it is. This is not such a bad thing, since we have wanted to design a prayer garden in conjunction with the Gathering Area. Plan “A” is that we will move it in the nook between the Gathering Area and the Church on the drive wayside. If you have a difficulty envisioning this, refer to the drawings in the vestibule of the Church. Plan “B” is to locate it on the school side of the Gathering Area amongst the trees there, with its back near or against the Gathering Area’s wall. These are the two most workable scenarios. Numerous people have suggested other plans, but they were either impractical or very expensive. Which leads me to the other side of this issue: Cost! The estimated cost to have the Grotto lifted as is would be around $15,000. Constructing a new Grotto, or breaking up the present Grotto and using the original stones [some of which were brought either from Fatima or Lourdes] would be far less expensive. A couple from our parish has offered to have the statues of both the Blessed Mother & Saint Bernadette trucked to a restoration expert in Baltimore to have them completely restored at their expense. Although, I have no documentation of it, another parishioner claims that there is a relic of Bernadette placed within the present Grotto. If this is true, we would locate it, and place it within the new Grotto, if we were to go in that direction. As you can see, we struggle to balance the responsibility of respecting a historical element of our parish; with its future worth as a focus point of prayer & inspiration within many people’s spiritual life; while being fiscally responsible. I am certain that we will come up with a solution, which will satisfy most people. In the mean time, please feel free to come forward with any questions or suggestions.

Your Brother in Christ,

 Father Walter J. Benn