On November 2, 2014, Cardinal Dolan announced that in a few months Masses and sacraments would no longer be celebrated on a regular weekly basis at the church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. We ask you sign the petition below so that our church can continue to remain open.
Our facility is in good shape, we do not owe any money to the Archdiocese, and we have ample financial reserves to cover any emergencies. In addition to our hearing community, St. Elizabeth’s is the home to the deaf community of the entire Archdiocese of New York. As part of our Mass schedule, we offer a Sunday Mass celebrated by our pastor in American Sign Language. At special Masses during the year, our internationally-recognized Deaf Choir leads hymns and other prayers. Beyond Mass and the sacraments, we also offer various social and support programs for the deaf community, including our weekly Deaf Senior Citizens Group.
Our situation has recently been featured in the media, which you can view at https://www.facebook.com/friendsofstelizabeth
We invite people of all faiths and no faith, hearing and non-hearing to show their support by signing our petition to ask Cardinal Dolan and the Archdiocese to keep our church open.
PETITION
Dear Cardinal Dolan:
For the spiritual needs of the parishioners of St. Elizabeth of Hungary including its deaf community, I ask that you revoke your Decree of November 2, 2014 so that Masses and sacraments can continue to be celebrated on a regular weekly basis at the present church site of 211 East 83rd Street in the borough of Manhattan in the city of New York.
Updates
April 13, 2015
We just hit 1,000 signatures. Now take the link to our Facebook page and tag the Archdiocese in your post. Send a direct email to your local representative letting them know why this church must stay open.
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 12, 2015
March 17, 2015
The momentum we have built proves that this church is vital to our city. Send this link to three people who believe in the importance of protecting the deaf community at St. Elizabeth. Post the link on your Facebook wall today to make sure our message reaches the Archdiocese.
Reached 100 supporters
December 23, 2014
626 Comments
I'm a deaf young adult. I've been searching for Deaf/or signing priests & came upon this wonderful church in NY with Fr McCahill. Please do not close it. The Catholic Church needs to continue to shepard and administer to the Deaf needs by having their OWN parish.
st elizabeth's ministry to entire deaf community throughout archdiocese of ny needs to be an exception to heartbreaking mergers! can st monica's parish really provide for spiritual needs of this niche community. i don't think so; i know & admire st monica's.
Please keep the church open for the Deaf Community. They need the Church as a gathering place for their culture and to learn scripture. It is more than a Church for them it is the center where they can be comfortable and commune with their peers. It is their home.
I am just heartbroken. This should never happen. I attended St Elizabeth's for the first 62 yars of my life. I was baptised, made communion, confirmation and was married there as well as my parents being married there. It is so upsetting to me and my family.
Please keep St. Elizabeth’s open, as I am 89 years young, and cannot walk to a merged church. There are many that are physically challenged that are in the same predicament. If I take a cab, there goes my church contribution to the cab co.
What a horrible situation for the Catholic Church to turn away from the particular significance that Elizabeth has in the faith of the Roman Church as it extend eastward with the progression of individuals like Elizabeth who held true to the beliefs of her religion to give hope just in her name alone to many thousands of the Church.
Please don't close
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On November 2, 2014, Cardinal Dolan announced that in a few months Masses and sacraments would no longer be celebrated on a regular weekly basis at the church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. We ask you sign the petition below so that our church can continue to remain open.
Our facility is in good shape, we do not owe any money to the Archdiocese, and we have ample financial reserves to cover any emergencies. In addition to our hearing community, St. Elizabeth’s is the home to the deaf community of the entire Archdiocese of New York. As part of our Mass schedule, we offer a Sunday Mass celebrated by our pastor in American Sign Language. At special Masses during the year, our internationally-recognized Deaf Choir leads hymns and other prayers. Beyond Mass and the sacraments, we also offer various social and support programs for the deaf community, including our weekly Deaf Senior Citizens Group.
Our situation has recently been featured in the media, which you can view at https://www.facebook.com/friendsofstelizabeth
We invite people of all faiths and no faith, hearing and non-hearing to show their support by signing our petition to ask Cardinal Dolan and the Archdiocese to keep our church open.
PETITION
Dear Cardinal Dolan:
For the spiritual needs of the parishioners of St. Elizabeth of Hungary including its deaf community, I ask that you revoke your Decree of November 2, 2014 so that Masses and sacraments can continue to be celebrated on a regular weekly basis at the present church site of 211 East 83rd Street in the borough of Manhattan in the city of New York.
Updates
April 13, 2015
We just hit 1,000 signatures. Now take the link to our Facebook page and tag the Archdiocese in your post. Send a direct email to your local representative letting them know why this church must stay open.
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 12, 2015
March 17, 2015
The momentum we have built proves that this church is vital to our city. Send this link to three people who believe in the importance of protecting the deaf community at St. Elizabeth. Post the link on your Facebook wall today to make sure our message reaches the Archdiocese.
Reached 100 supporters
December 23, 2014
626 Comments
It is hard to understand why a church that is financially solvent and has a special place in the lives of the hearing impaired should be closed. The building is in good shape and the community is vibrant. I wonder if Pope Francis would agree with the Cardinal's decision.
I'm a deaf young adult. I've been searching for Deaf/or signing priests & came upon this wonderful church in NY with Fr McCahill. Please do not close it. The Catholic Church needs to continue to shepard and administer to the Deaf needs by having their OWN parish.
st elizabeth's ministry to entire deaf community throughout archdiocese of ny needs to be an exception to heartbreaking mergers! can st monica's parish really provide for spiritual needs of this niche community. i don't think so; i know & admire st monica's.
Please keep the church open for the Deaf Community. They need the Church as a gathering place for their culture and to learn scripture. It is more than a Church for them it is the center where they can be comfortable and commune with their peers. It is their home.
I am just heartbroken. This should never happen. I attended St Elizabeth's for the first 62 yars of my life. I was baptised, made communion, confirmation and was married there as well as my parents being married there. It is so upsetting to me and my family.
Please keep St. Elizabeth’s open, as I am 89 years young, and cannot walk to a merged church. There are many that are physically challenged that are in the same predicament. If I take a cab, there goes my church contribution to the cab co.
What a horrible situation for the Catholic Church to turn away from the particular significance that Elizabeth has in the faith of the Roman Church as it extend eastward with the progression of individuals like Elizabeth who held true to the beliefs of her religion to give hope just in her name alone to many thousands of the Church.
Please don't close
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It is hard to understand why a church that is financially solvent and has a special place in the lives of the hearing impaired should be closed. The building is in good shape and the community is vibrant. I wonder if Pope Francis would agree with the Cardinal's decision.