Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 30, 2025
Because we are conducting a capital campaign for repairs that are necessary for Saint John Church to remain open, I have had to explain why Saint John’s is worth supporting, why it is important that Saint John’s remains open.
For the most part, Saint John’s is valuable because of its spiritual mission. At Saint John’s we preach the Gospel to thousands of people. We celebrate lots of Masses, hear many confessions, visit the sick, celebrate weddings and prepare couples for married life. At Saint John’s people join the church, attend all sorts of prayer and theological enrichment programs. Saint John’s is a place of quiet prayer in the midst of a busy city. Indeed, Saint John’s primary mission is spiritual. We help people to know Christ and to find peace in His love.
But Saint John’s importance goes even beyond its spiritual mission. At Saint John’s, we host Alcoholics Anonymous, a Narcotics Anonymous and Adult Children of Alcoholics groups. Saint John’s founded Saint John’s Hospice and Holy Redeemer Chinese Church and School, two important institutions that do much good. Saint John’s has a history of charity and we still do what we can.
But Saint John’s is also an important Center City and Market East anchor. Our vibrant 7 days per week presence stabilizes this neighborhood. When I was assigned to Cleveland many years ago, I heard of a study by sociologists at the University of Cleveland that studied neighborhood deterioration. It concluded that the closing of a Catholic Church, especially one with a school, was a sure harbinger of a neighborhood’s rapid deterioration.
Churches provide a stable and reassuring presence to a neighborhood. And the positive impact of a church is magnified when the church is open not just on Sunday but seven days a week. Saint John’s is open and active many more hours than most churches. Our many weddings support the banquet facilities that employ people and bring families and friends together for these happy occasions. People combine a visit to Saint John’s with other visits to Center City. Weekday workers find a place of spiritual refreshment in the midst of their stressful workdays.
Macy’s, Center City’s last department store, will close and this is the loss of a major neighborhood anchor. The Fashion District is struggling and there are lots of empty storefronts in Market East. Our neighborhood can’t afford more losses. The Reading Terminal Market and Thomas Jefferson Hospital are two strong local institutions, as are the hotels and the Convention Center. Saint John’s supports these important Philadelphia entities. Families visit Saint John’s when their loved ones are hospitalized at Jefferson and our priests provide sacramental care for the hospital. Half of our Sunday congregation are tourists who appreciate the presence of a Catholic Church in the neighborhood. As a neighborhood, we stand together and we all strengthen one another.
And Saint John’s is a lovely church that attracts visitors and worshipers who want to experience peace and beauty.
Fundamentally, Saint John’s exists to preach the Gospel and offer the sacraments to God’s people. But it is worth remembering that our church is important, even beyond our religious mission. All the more reason to support Saint John the Evangelist Church.
Go Make Disciples: An Introductory Training in Missionary Discipleship
