“It was met with much sadness,” said Father Martin Boylan, who is the pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, after announcing the recommendation to eventually close the St. Joseph’s church at White Mills, this past Sunday.
He added the news came with no real surprise. Consolidation was seen as the next step after the change a year ago when Father Joseph Kutch was transferred to Luzerne County, and St. John’s became a partner parish with White Mills.
There was much reminiscing, of family events celebrate at White Mills, and sharing of their love for the White Mills church. Older parishioners were especially impacted. Father Boylan added that their more important focus is the betterment of the ministry and their hope for keeping the liturgy more vibrant and welcoming.
At the moment, he said they could fit everyone from the White Mills church at St. John’s and St. Mary’s in Honesdale without having to add a liturgy, but this is one area they would have to explore. 
No decision has been reached on the fate of the facilities at White Mills, which are in good condition, said Father Boylan. He stressed that nothing would happen right away, with the implementation of final decisions by Bishop Joseph F.  Martino not taking place until a year from now (July 2009).
Although they hoped White Mills would stay open, the recommendation focuses on having only two priests to cover the entire parish, and the generally lower attendance figures, which he said follows the national trend.
“Someone quipped that Honesdale at one time had two parishes and five priests. Now there are five churches [in one parish] and two priests. How things change,” added Father Boylan.
Father Michael Finn, at Thomas More Parish, Lake Ariel, commented that this was only one step in the process with more discussions ahead, and at this moment “everything is still up in the air.” Under the recommendations, St. Mary’s church in Waymart would eventually close and consolidate with St. Thomas More.
BVM Queen of Peace pastor, Father William Beck, stressed that much could change, but as recommended, their mission church, St. Veronica’s, would join with St. Anthony Parish in Newfoundland. Many of the families attending St. Veronica’s come from that direction, he noted.
 The Hawley church, which already partners in many ways with St. John the Evangelist in Honesdale, would seek further ways to work together, under the plan.
Messages left for Father John Albosta, Waymart and Father Patrick Albert, Pleasant Mount, regarding proposed changes in their areas, had not yet been returned.