<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2dv9wk_1Fdacjdt00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2dv9wk_1Fdacjdt00" width="1200" height="600" ><p>MENASHA, Wis. (WBAY) - St. Mary Catholic Church has reopened after more than 60 days of closure following damage from a tornado on July 27. Both St. Mary and St. John the Baptist, linked parishes with one pastor, were damaged in the storm.</p><p>The storm tore bricks from the top of St. Mary’s steeple, sending them crashing to the sidewalk below. Scaffolding remains wrapped around the damaged steeple as repairs continue.</p><p>Deacon Don Schultz, pastoral life coordinator for St. Mary and St. John the Baptist parishes, said he and staff were in the building when the tornado hit. He said they watched the storm from a back window before going to the church’s basement tornado shelter, where they prayed the rosary together until the storm passed.</p><p>“We’re just really excited to see them back and just feel the energy in the church, in this building,” Schultz said.</p><h2>Extent of the damage</h2><p>Schultz said the steeple lost bricks and the school roof suffered holes that let water into some upstairs classrooms. He said shingles came off the church roof and the rectory also sustained damage. St. John the Baptist had more severe and extensive damage, according to the parish.</p><p>The parish said it is still working with a contractor and a structural engineer to determine the full extent of the damage at St. John’s and the restoration needed. There is no timeline yet for that work.</p><p>Steve Siegel, business manager for St. Mary and St. John parishes, said the school roof repairs affected access to part of the building.</p><p>“Because of the roof being off, we weren’t able to access the entire 62 wing of our school facility,” Siegel said. “So we had to move some classes to the 52 wing.”</p><p>Siegel said the roof repairs were expected to be finished, allowing students to return to their normal classrooms.</p><h2>Congregation relocated during repairs</h2><p>During the closure, the parish held Mass at neighboring St. Patrick’s so services could continue while crews secured St. Mary’s and patched holes in the school roof.</p><p>“I’m feeling great. It’s an unbelievable feeling because we are able now to welcome our parish family back. Even though we were at St. Pat’s, it’s a little different feeling because now we are back home,” Siegel said.</p><p>Siegel said St. Mary and St. John parishes normally draw about 700 people to Mass on a typical weekend, but attendance at the shared Mass at St. Patrick’s had been up to 300 people.</p><p>Schultz said Miron Construction worked to allow the parish to reopen as scaffolding is completed and bricks are secured. He said the church had been inaccessible because a falling brick could go through the roof and potentially hit someone.</p><h2>Community support during recovery</h2><p>Schultz said Bishop David Ricken, of the Diocese of Green Bay, visited the church several days after the tornado and also visited St. John the Baptist to view damage and meet with parishioners. The parish said it received support from several churches throughout the region, including Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay, as well as support from Bishop Ricken.</p><p>Schultz said Catholic Charities had staff at the parish by the Friday after the tornado to help people, and the organization received donations that are going toward tornado recovery in the area.</p><p>Schultz said parish volunteers have gone on prayer walks nearly every night since the tornado, bringing food, gift cards and prayer to affected families, and handing out information about assistance available through Catholic Charities.</p><h2>Mass schedule</h2><p>The parish’s first Saturday Mass is Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. The first Sunday Masses are Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.</p><p>“We just want everybody to come home and, you know, see people you haven’t seen in a while and listen to their stories and just give them a great big hug,” Schultz said.</p><p>Siegel said parish staff made outreach calls to parishioners during the closure but were unable to reach everyone.</p><p>“I am just grateful to be able to see all the faces that we haven’t been able to see in the last two months, to hear their stories, but also just to make sure that they’re okay,” Siegel said.</p><h2>Green ribbon project marks two months since tornado</h2><p>The Neenah Menasha Ministerial Association, a group of area churches, organized a project placing green ribbons throughout the community to mark two months since the tornado. Sunday, Sept. 27 marked two months since the storm.</p><p>Residents are invited to place a green ribbon on a tree, fence, lamp post or other appropriate location on private property. The city has allowed ribbons to be placed on trees throughout the community, but signs promoting the project cannot be placed on city property.</p><p>The organizers also created “We Are Stronger Together” signs explaining the ribbon display, available for residents to pick up. </p></div></body>

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MENASHA, Wis. (WBAY) - St. Mary Catholic Church has reopened after more than 60 days of closure following damage from a tornado on July 27. Both St. Mary and St. John the Baptist, linked parishes with one pastor, were damaged in the storm. The storm tore bricks from the top...

St. Mary Catholic Church reopens after tornado

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MENASHA, Wis. (WBAY) - St. Mary Catholic Church has reopened after more than 60 days of closure following damage from a tornado on July 27. Both St. Mary a

St. Mary Catholic Church reopens after tornado

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