To the editor:

I and many of my neighbors of Penco Estates received a letter on Aug. 1 from Bishop Mark E. Brennan of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese concerning a Miracle Field and Playground to be placed in our neighborhood within the city of Weirton.

This letter was in response to a petition sent to the diocese regarding the proposed Miracle Field to be built adjacent to St. Joseph the Worker School. Brennan’s letter was condescending and implied that the neighborhood residents have no Christian love for young people with disabilities.

That is an absurd and arrogant assumption. Brennan stated in his letter that we need to love thy neighbor, but what about “love thy neighbor” from Brennan and the diocese to the residents of Penco Estates? The petition presented to Brennan concerned the following: Increased traffic in the neighborhood, upkeep of grounds, security and potential increase of crime and parking. It had nothing to do with the individuals themselves.

Additionally, having the Miracle Field placed on St. Joseph the Worker School grounds is an oxymoron since that school does not accept students with mental or physical disabilities.

The letter stated that funding for the Miracle Field and Playground would be the responsibility of the Miracle League, except for the additional cost to make the field regulation size for girls’ softball — which will be available for the girls’ softball team at Madonna.

The addition of the daily and weekly game schedules from the Miracle League events and high school softball would dramatically increase traffic, create a parking nightmare along the neighborhood streets and become a congestion headache for residents. Brennan’s letter stated that parking along Elaine Street would not be allowed for Miracle League events, and an agreement “was worked out” with West Virginia Northern Community College for use of its parking lot. That is just an unrealistic assumption by Brennan, not all the visitors will park at West Virginia Northern Community College.

The grounds of the Miracle Field will entice the criminal element to come to our neighborhood because the dugouts and concession stand will provide shelter for nefarious behaviors such as vandalism and drug use. Vandalism has occurred at some Miracle League Fields — for example, the Miracle League baseball field at the J.B. Chambers Sports Complex in Wheeling was vandalized twice. According to WTRF-TV, the concession stand was vandalized in December 2023 and in May 2024.

The increased traffic, the parking fiasco, excessive noise, potential vandalism and crime will decrease property values. Also, vandalism and crime will undoubtedly spill over to neighborhood houses. I am appalled that this bishop would have such disregard for the residents of our neighborhood. I moved to this neighborhood because it was quiet with little to no crime. I fear that those days will be gone soon.

Do better, Bishop Brennan and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, and love thy neighbors of Penco Estates.

Jo-Ellen Connolly

Weirton