Part of our work for our upcoming linkage between St. Ann and St. Boniface Parishes was creating a new Mass schedule. You read a little bit about that two weeks ago when we described the work of our transition teams from the two parishes. Now it’s time to talk about the results.

But first, a little bit about the process. Between St. Ann Parish and St. Boniface Parish, we currently have 7 weekend Masses (3 on Saturday evening, 4 on Sunday morning). In addition, we have 9 weekday Masses between us.  

While we’re promised a second priest in July, we’re also charged with a responsibility. If we’re the only parish in this deanery (and one of the few in the Diocese’s Western Region) with a second priest on staff, we’re expected to help other parishes when a priest falls ill or takes vacation. That means that our weekend needs to be something one priest, on occasion or in an emergency, can do on his own.

Now the Church has some rules about how many times a priest can celebrate Mass each day. Before we roll our eyes about rules, let’s remember why they exist. For your sake—and the priest’s—we’re allowed only two Masses on a weekday (Saturday and the days before holy days are considered weekdays) and three Masses on Sundays and holy days of obligation. The Church wants her priests to have the energy and attention that will contribute to everyone’s prayer experience. An exhausted priest probably won’t preach or celebrate well and won’t be very personally present to you. Hence, the limitations.

The schedule will take effect in two stages. In July, we will have a second priest, and we will add a second daily Mass. All the St. Ann and St. Boniface Masses currently happen at 7, 7:30, or 8 a.m., which might shape our direction moving forward, but we have some time to talk about those particular changes. The only immediate change in July to the weekend schedule at either Parish will be to move the St. Boniface 10:30 a.m. Mass to 11 a.m.  

The second step: In October, when the parishes are officially linked, we’ll move into the following schedule:

• On Saturday: 4 p.m. at St. Boniface, 5:30 p.m. at St. Ann
• On Sunday: 8 a.m. at St. Lawrence, 9:30 a.m. at St. Ann, 11 a.m. at St. Boniface