As a resident of Morgan Hill and a neighbor of St. Catherine Church, I respect the church’s mission and its right to express its beliefs. However, I have concerns about the recently approved proposal (SR2024-0014) to erect a 23 foot tall cross at the corner of Peak Avenue and Noble Court, far from the church sanctuary.
Initially, I assumed that this cross was intended as a powerful symbol of faith, towering above the landscape to inspire contemplation.
However, I’ve since learned that the primary purpose of this cross is to guide churchgoers to the appropriate parking area. While I understand the need for clear signage, a 23-foot cross seems an excessive and potentially disruptive solution to what is essentially a practical concern. My worries extend beyond just the size of the cross.
As someone who lives nearby, I will be able to see this enormous structure from my backyard. A cross of this size risks being visually overwhelming—not just for me but for the entire community. There’s a fine line between a welcoming gesture and one that imposes on the broader community.
In light of these concerns, I propose a more balanced approach: a reasonably sized sign that clearly directs visitors to the appropriate parking area. This would achieve the church’s practical goal without dominating the surrounding neighborhood or altering the character of our community.
Furthermore, when I reached out to the city to inquire about appealing this decision, I was told the process would require a $700 fee. This is a steep price for any resident to pay simply to voice their concerns about a project that could significantly affect their living environment.
I urge the church and the city to reconsider this decision. A solution that respects both the church’s needs and the community’s well-being is possible.
I hope that through dialogue, we can arrive at a compromise that reflects the spirit of Morgan Hill—a place where we value both our shared spaces and the diversity of our community.
James Bringetto
Morgan Hill
Linda Klajbor has made an accusation against me on social media, falsely claiming that I dislike everything about the church and that I stated during a public hearing that the church is “choking Catholicism down everyone’s throats.” She also alleges that I have complained about the church on multiple occasions. These claims are completely untrue. Linda appears to have confused me with another resident who spoke at the public hearing.
For reference, below is my actual comment from the public hearing, almost verbatim. I believe the city has a recording of the public hearing as well.
Greetings,
My name is James Bringetto, and I’m here to discuss the proposal to erect a 23-foot cross at St. Catherine’s Church. While I respect the church’s desire to install this cross and support its religious expression, I have some concerns about its height and its planned location at the corner of Peak Avenue & Noble Ct, quite far from the church sanctuary. A cross of this size might be visually overwhelming for the surrounding community and could potentially affect local property values. Personally, I will be able to see this cross from my backyard.
I suggest an alternative that could satisfy both the church’s intentions and the community’s preferences. By positioning the cross closer to the church sanctuary and reducing its height to between 8 and 15 feet, the church can create a display that is both harmonious and respectful. This adjustment would enhance the sanctity and reverence of the church grounds while reflecting typical cross sizes from the 1st century, further increasing the contemplative impact for those in religious reflection.
Thank you for considering this alternative. I look forward to a constructive dialogue to find a solution that honors both the church’s vision and the community’s landscape.
Thank you.
Do we have a comment from St. Catherine’s pastor, Fr. Gerardo Menchaca?
Likely demolishing the church and constructing a satanic temple would completely assuage all of Mr. Bringetto’s concerns. Its the right thing to do.