The Center City District on its website offers the following interesting statistics comparing Center City Philadelphia in 2019 (pre-pandemic) to the end of 2022:
- In 2022, overall pedestrian volume was 73% of what it was in 2019.
- In 2022, office workers present in Center City were just 53% of what they were in 2019.
- There has been an increase in the number of Center City residents (45,763 to 61,140).
- Visitor volume (shoppers, tourists, conventions) was 88% in 2022 compared to 2019.
Overall crime and serious crime incidents per day are down as are the average number of homeless persons spending the night outdoors in Center City. Based on these statistics, I have a few observations about Saint John Church, our ministry and our future:
Saint John Church serves Center City. Center City is our home and our ministry. Saint John Church has a reputation as the church of the office workers, particularly at our weekday Masses. Yet there are about half as many office workers now compared to pre-pandemic times. With fewer office workers, other businesses are also closing. The numbers of people at daily Mass has declined over the past decade or so, and especially in the past few years. However, the number of people attending our daily Masses has been increasing since September. Weekday Mass attendance is not what it was, but it is growing. Weekday ministry is still important at Saint John’s, but given the decline in the number of Center City workers, we will not return to what we had ten or even five years ago.
Moreover, it is my observation that the area around Saint John’s, (Market East) has been hit harder by the Center City economic and business downturn than the rest of Center City.
Since Center City resident numbers are increasing,
Saint John’s must continue to serve and focus on our parishioners, those who live in Center City. Our weekend liturgies must continue to be beautiful, well planned and vibrant. Center City residents and Saint John parishioners are a high percentage of young adults and senior citizens and a smaller population of young families with children. However, we need to do our best to attract young families, while serving with special attention young adults and senior citizens.
There are still substantial numbers of visitors to Center City and our church is an attractive place of worship and prayer for visitors. I believe that Center City shopping will continue to decline, but I believe that we will still have a robust ministry to convention and tourism visitors.
Saint John Church is an important Catholic ministry in Philadelphia. We have to change to respond to changes in our neighborhood. We need active and contributing parishioners who love our multi-faceted ministry, who love the excitement and vibrancy of Center City and who want to preach “Good News in the Heart of Philadelphia”.
I recommend that you take a look at the Center City District web site; there is a lot of interesting information about Center City.
Jack’s Yacs
Our next event is a Mardi Gras party and dinner on February 18 after the 5:15 PM Saturday vigil Mass.
Firefighters’ Mass
The annual Firefighters’ Mass is a major commitment of Saint John Parish, so we urge our parishioners to attend. It will be on February 18 at 10 AM. The Mass and blessing of memorial plaques will pay tribute to the four firefighters who lost their lives as a result of battling the great fire in February, 1899 that burned Saint John Church and several buildings in the 1200 block of Market Street:
- Hugh Duffy, 44
- William J. Chance, 32
- George W. Steinle, 38
- James J. Shea, 41
Duffy, Chance and Steinle were crushed to death by a burning wall that fell as they fought the blaze. Two weeks later, Shea succumbed to pneumonia which he contracted on the bitter cold night of the fire.
The Mass will also remember all firefighters who have died in the line of duty and will be a prayer for the safety of firefighters.
Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic School Open Houses
If you know families with school age children, encourage them to consider Holy Redeemer School. Holy Redeemer is private Catholic school that teaches Chinese language and honors Chinese culture. The school is open to children of all races and religions. Holy Redeemer is a safe school and its students have superior academic achievement. Open houses will be held on February 20 and March 16. Check out the school web site at holyredeemerschool.org or contact Father Tom.
Need for Housing for Chinese Immigrant Family
A family of six people, including one young child, arrived from China through the southern border. They now have temporary housing through a local non profit, but they will need longer term housing soon. It is likely that they will need free housing for a month or two until they can get jobs. If you have any resources to help this family, please contact Father Tom for more information.
Second Collection for Aged and Infirm priests of the Archdiocese:
Today’s second collection is to help the Archdiocese care for elderly and sick priests. Please be generous.
Volunteers:
We need volunteers whom we can call from time to time to set up for events and clean up afterwards. If you are able to have your name on a list of people who can be called when there is a need, please contact the parish office.
Church Cleaning:
Please consider joining our church cleaning group. They meet the fourth Saturday of each month from 8:30-11:30 to clean the upper and lower churches. For more information, contact the parish office.
2022 Church contributions:
If you would like to have a record of your 2022 Saint John Church contributions, please contact our parish office.
Historical Preservation Endowment Fund
$553,755.00