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Some Stella Maris parishioners seem convinced that an assisted-living facility is a done deal — with construction set to begin soon on their church’s grounds.
But the Archdiocese of Philadelphia says that’s not quite the case, maintaining such a facility is only in the fledgling stages at best.
Two parishioners who have children at Stella Maris School, 10th and Bigler streets, spoke to the Review on the condition of anonymity. Both contended that an assisted-living facility does not belong next to a school.
"I think it’s wonderful that the Archdiocese wants to spend money on these older people, but that’s not the issue. The issue is the location," said one parishioner.
The other parishioner agreed. "I would be 100-percent for it, but it is right on top of the school. We have enough shoved down our throats with the stadium and parking, and now a [multiunit] facility? That’s asking a lot."
An Archdiocese of Philadelphia official said that should such a facility come to fruition, 120 units would be the maximum.
Regardless of the number of units, when and if groundbreaking begins for the facility, the parishioners said, child safety is of paramount concern. They fear the construction equipment and noise would disrupt classes and pose potential hazards for children.
But their reservations will not end with construction.
The parishioners said they were led to believe the facility would be attached to the church or built behind it. Either way, since the church and school are connected, that means the facility would be connected to the school as well, they maintained.
"All the employees and tenants [of the facility] would have access to the church and school. Anybody could be wandering through the building," one parishioner said.
Child safety aside, another fear haunts the two parishioners, as well as other parents of Stella Maris students who heard about the prospective new building.
Should such a facility succeed, they worry the Archdiocese would close the school and convert it into more assisted-living units.
"The Archdiocese seems to be getting out of the Catholic school business because it is no longer profitable," said one of the sources, noting the trend of inner-city school closings that now includes South Philly’s St. Charles Borromeo.
John Wagner, diocese director of community development and housing, said he refused to comment on the allegation that children would be shoved aside to make way for the elderly. "Look at how much we do across the city for children," he said.
In the past, the Archdiocese has closed parish schools with enrollments far below their capacity. With 285 students this school year, Stella Maris is operating at about 71 percent of its capacity of 400 students, according to an Archdiocese spokesperson.
Wagner also maintains the discussions about the assisted-living facility have been open to the public. Last November, "survey meetings" were held at St. Monica’s and Stella Maris to gauge community reaction and support for such a facility, he said.
"That was the whole purpose, to invite comment from the community. This is not a done deal unless the study supports it and we have support from the community. If it is not feasible at the end of the day, then we’ll walk away," he said.
Although one of the two parishioners interviewed for this story attended the meeting at Stella Maris, she was still disappointed that the forums were not advertised, which she said kept many people from learning about them. The other parishioner said she was among those who had no idea the meetings were taking place.
The women said the only other information about the facility has come from Stella Maris pastor Msgr. James Connelly, whom they said limits his comments about the plans to Mass and the church bulletin.
When contacted for comment, the monsignor was tight-lipped about the project. He cautioned the Review to be "very careful about what you print" because of upcoming Archdiocese meetings on the plan. He would not disclose when those meetings would take place, nor would he confirm if in fact an assisted-living facility would be built on the parish grounds.
"Nothing has been set in stone," he said.
Although the parishioners said they had heard rumors about how much it would cost to live in the facility, Wagner wouldn’t confirm any figures.
"It would be wrong for me to say the cost because the feasibility study isn’t done," he said.
Last year, Catholic Healthcare Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia hired KPMG Consulting to conduct a feasibility study of a 120-unit supportive independent living facility, Wagner added.
"How might we serve the elderly of South Philly? How might we provide a valuable service to them? People in South Philly love their neighborhoods. If they could, they would love to stay in their neighborhood," he noted.
Wagner said the Archdiocese wanted to develop the site with private funds and existing church property.
The parishioners who spoke to the Review claimed that Connelly announced more than once from the pulpit that St. Monica’s Church would foot the bill for the venture. A decedent of St. Monica’s reportedly bequeathed money for such a facility to aid the elderly of the community. Since there is no room on St. Monica’s grounds, the Archdiocese allegedly gave its blessing for the Stella Maris site.
Numerous attempts to reach the Rev. Paul S. Quinter, pastor of St. Monica’s Church, were unsuccessful.
That Msgr. Connelly speaks only at Mass and in the church bulletin about the facility isn’t good enough for the two parishioners. They feel the church isn’t doing its part to keep its members and the community in the loop.
"Nothing has been addressed and nothing has been answered. We feel they are going behind our backs with this," said one member.
Wagner said the Archdiocese is not trying to put something past the parishioners.
"The sad thing is, I feel that the Archdiocese is attempting to meet a need for our seniors, and I hate to see that as being negative or not having community input," he said. "It is being done under the best of intentions."
