I am positively impressed by the support that so many parishioners gave to the proposal for transforming the old convent into a Cheverly Veterans Home. Our intent was to serve about seven veterans who had been homeless but were capable of getting back on their feet if given a stable home environment and programmatic support for six to 18 months. The plan was to have three members of the religious order called Brothers of Charity live in residence with the veterans. Your openness to welcoming the poor into our midst is impressive.
For this proposal to have been successful it would require a consensus of everyone. While many people were very supportive, many others were not able to support the idea at this time. The main concern voiced to me, the principal and members of the School Advisory Board, was that we would not be able to adequately screen potential residents to assure complete safety to the school children. I can understand a parent's desire for complete safety. Given the difference of opinions to the initial proposal, I did not feel we would be able to build sufficient consensus to move forward.
In the way that so many of you have been supportive, it indicates to me that there is potential to use our old convent for a socially just purpose. We will need some time to discern what that may be. Thank you very much for your comments and for your commitment to being a community dedicated to serving our vulnerable brothers and sisters.