From The Tribune Review (Pittsburgh)-
The Rev. Carmen D'Amico visits his ill parishioners if they're hospitalized. But if they lie sick at home, he sends another parishioner or a priest who is studying at Duquesne University.
The recession has forced him to serve as pastor at three parishes — St. Benedict the Moor in the Hill District; St. Mary of Mercy, Downtown; and Epiphany, Uptown. And this shepherd almost sounds guilty at the pastoral corners he must cut to serve three flocks.
"I'm always running from one place to the next," D'Amico said. "I always feel (like I'm) rushing, which is not a good thing when you're doing pastoral ministry."
These three city churches are among those nationwide that are still reeling from the impact of the 2008 recession, but some are just starting to heal financially as their collection baskets grow heavier.
"Some churches are beginning to see an uptick, a rebound, but there are still a number of churches struggling," said Brian Kluth, founder of Maximum Generosity Ministry and State of the Plate Research. "You're still dealing with 40 percent of the churches in America having a hard time."
Read more:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_734850.html#ixzz1L8JFU5aJ
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