Though changes are "still evolving," the cardinal said in an April 22 letter to priests that many of St. John Center's staff positions will be integrated into the archdiocese Central Services. Others will be eliminated.

St. John Center; its programming arm, the Cardinal Maida Institute for Evangelization; and Conference Services all will remain viable – but all will be impacted by the reorganization.

"Over the past several months, the vicars, on a number of occasions, have raised concerns and suggestions regarding St. John's mission and how it connects with the work of Central Services of the Archdiocese and Sacred Heart Major Seminary," Cardinal Maida wrote. "Financial considerations have also been a major concern as we have been looking for ways to streamline our mission and eliminate duplication, while at the same time, assuring that services are parish and vicariate directed."

Msgr. John Zenz, moderator of the Curia, said the St. John Center had assumed some of the same roles as Central Services and even local parishes.

He also said finances clearly were vital in the decision. The archdiocese spends millions annually to maintain the center.

"Probably the finances were what was pushing us," he said.

Still, Msgr. Zenz said the "re-imaging" of St. John Center aims to increase the focus of the archdiocese on marriage preparatory and especially youth ministries. The Cardinal Maida Institute's faith formation and family and youth ministries will be picked up by the Department of Education – which is where they were before St. John Center opened.

"Really what they're doing is returning home," said Sr. Frances Nadolny, OP,  director of the Department of Education. "It will reconnect the services back to Central Services, and the pastors have been asking for this. So it's really in response to their requests."

The evangelization efforts of the Cardinal Maida Institute will be directed out of the Office for Parish Life.

Catherine Wagner, director of the Parish Life Department, said the archdiocese will combine the St. John Center's evangelization resources with those of the archdiocese's urban and suburban evangelization teams. A single evangelization team, then, would provide resources and training according to the needs of parishes or vicariates.

"It seems to be the best use of the resources we have available and it will be eliminating some of the duplication," Wagner said.

The St. John Center, meanwhile, will focus on retreats and conventions.

Many of the programs – such as the marriage preparatory classes and various family life events – will continue. Others that were spearheaded by Fr. John Riccardo, director of the Cardinal Maida Institute, and the center's staff could either be dropped or moved to local parishes.

"We hope to build on what Fr. Riccardo has done and many of the things that have been in operation there," said Bishop Walter Hurley, Cardinal Maida's liaison to the St. John Center.

Fr. Riccardo will become pastor of St. Anastasia Parish in Troy in July.

Deacon John Ball, executive director of St. John Center, said the center would have to adjust to its financial constraints.

"We're here to be of service and we'll be doing the very best with what we have," he said.

Hundreds regularly benefited from the programs such as holy hours and Bible studies conducted by the center's staff.

Administrators in the archdiocese are aware that the changes will draw dissent. Talk show host Al Kresta on Catholic radio station WDEO (990 AM), said the changes at St. John Center signaled "a time of great sadness." WDEO regularly broadcasted St. John Center programming.

Ned McGrath, archdiocese director of communications, said the archdiocese is not immune from negative trends facing nonprofits. The archdiocese already had experienced two rounds of layoffs since 2002.

"As difficult as it may be, the changes at St. John Center need to be considered in this context," McGrath said. "We can certainly understand people's disappointment and distress.