Over the weekend of May 25th our Sunday Mass schedule will change. Last year it was announced as a Summer schedule. This year, however, it will be a permanent schedule for the year. The reason for this is the situation in our Archdiocese of New York, Cardinal Dolan has instructed all the pastors to review their Mass schedules and to cut back where they are able.
We have fewer and fewer priests to serve our parishes. There are few men in the seminary preparing for the priesthood. Every year priests retire or die leaving parishes shorthanded. Over the last few years parishes across the archdiocese have closed or have been consolidated. This year more parishes face the same situation. In July of this year many parishes will be left without associate pastors. There are a number of parishes without pastors.
Although change is difficult, it also gives us the opportunity to make necessary sacrifices for the good of our parishes and the Church in the Archdiocese of New York.
I appeal to your love of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and your dedication to the Church to understand the seriousness of this situation and to accept the necessity of this change.
This decision was made in consultation with the Priests, Deacon, the parish staff, and the parish council.