Many
of you have seen the recent newspaper article and TV segment about the rezoning
of our land. The community has been discussing this process for some time and
now the public is being asked to offer their input at a public meeting on May
9.
About
80 acres of unused land on our property is of special interest as it may be
sold for development. The proceeds from the sale will provide funds for the
continued maintenance of our land and buildings as well as the needs of the
sisters going forward. With the assistance of the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) the community has been working to make plans to overcome our underfunded
retirement account and to reduce expenses wherever possible. Their help has
been invaluable.
Since
the rezoning process and sale of the land has become public we have received
many comments from local residents and friends of the community. While many
wish we would not sell the land they realize that it is necessary. They have
expressed their desires for many uses including more residences or fewer
residences, green space and walking trails, a 9-hole golf course and even an
organic farm with farm to table stands to sell their produce. The meeting on
May 9 should bring even more ideas.
As
treasurer of the community I know the financial need that has prompted the
whole planning process and know how important the sale of the property is. To
some I may seem heartless because I don’t worry about the deer, turkeys and
coyotes that will have to move on (or make their home in the future
development). The community wants to continue to serve and be an asset in the city of Villa Hills and to be a spiritual presence there and in the Northern Kentucky area. Offering Benedictine hospitality and the corporal and spiritual works of mercy are
I
hope that our neighbors will come to the meeting and voice their views to the
Planning and Development Services who are leading the process. The mayor and
city officials are our partners in this rezoning effort. All of us will benefit
as we move forward—that is our hope.
We
pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we continue the process in the
coming months.
Sr. Nancy Kordenbrock, OSB
Dear Sister, thank you for this good comment. This rationalization of resources today is the great need. To gather all the strength together, and seek allies and new friends, to survive in the coldness of tomorrow, to support the good servants who have served so long, these difficult resource decisions are a task. How to find new vocations, how to make the faith strong in appeal, we need to focus our strength. Sisters survive and honor those who served! Thank you always for your good prayers.
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