News and Letters from the Pastor

Rev. Larry Frient, Pastor
E-mail: mountcarmelniles@yahoo.com

 

 

October 15, 2010 - Mass Times Decisions Coming

 

Dear Friends in Christ:

 

Today I write about some important information concerning the Diocesan Reconfiguration Process. Let me begin by emphasizing:  Yes, this pertains to your parish! It will touch your personal life!  Please continue to read.

 

We have published the weekend Mass attendance in the bulletin on a weekly basis for a long time.  Also, at this parish, we have been accurately counting (not merely estimating) the number of people at every weekend Mass for an even longer time. 

 

We’ve explained why we count attendance.  Let’s review: There are fewer priests available in our diocese. It is important to use the priests’ time efficiently.  Patterns concerning what time people come to Mass and the total numbers of people who join together at given parishes have changed. This is certainly true here at OLMC.

 

 Also, Diocesan Guidelines wisely recommend that if a weekend or Holy Day Mass is consistently less than half-filled, the Mass should be eliminated or the Mass schedule among neighboring parishes should be adjusted so that a compromise time could accommodate the real needs of the people.  When churches are filled or nearly filled, the overall quality of liturgies is usually enhanced.  There is a stronger sense of a worshipping community united in faith.

 

I will soon meet with the Diocesan Director of Parish Plan Implementation to discuss with him and with neighboring priests adjustments in neighboring parish Mass times and our own.  Plenty of factual information will be considered. The attendance numbers we’ve gathered will be important.  Strong weight will be given to the importance of being consistent with Diocesan Guidelines.  Rest assured, even if some “favorite” Mass times are changed, people will be able to choose various times and attend Mass either at their own parish or another one nearby.

 

If you attend Mass at another parish nearby, you’ll be able to drop your OLMC envelopes in the basket and know that your donations will come back to support this parish.

 

If you have scheduled a Mass intention here but that Mass gets discontinued, we will work with you to try to reschedule your intention at another Mass here.  If we cannot reschedule it to your satisfaction be assured we will refund the money you have paid.  Fewer Masses will mean that at many parishes, including ours, it will be impossible to schedule as many intentions. Please remember that while many people laudably offer specific Mass intentions for their loved ones, we pray for all the living & all the deceased at every Mass.  No loved ones are ever forgotten!  They are always prayed for at every Mass.

 

As always, I will keep you informed.  Remember, I cheerfully repeat that we owe it to each other to be sure that only the truth is communicated and received concerning such an important matter. Have questions?  Please ask me!

 

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Larry Frient

 

GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA FOR PARISHES FROM THE DIOCESE OF YOUNGSTOWN November 29, 2009

  1. The reconfiguration of the diocese will be a creative response to the fewer number of priests, the demographic/population shift and the needs of Catholics today.
  2. Full sacramental ministry, pastoral care and Christian formation will be available to all Catholic people within 15 miles or 25 minutes from their home.
  3. Competent pastoral ministers (i.e. priests, deacons, religious, commissioned and certified persons) will provide sacramental ministry, pastoral care and Christian formation.
  4. All parishes and institutions of the diocese will continue to manifest a special concern for the needs of the poor and marginalized.
  5. All parishes will continue to reach out to the alienated, the inactive and un-churched.
  6. Every parish must have a functioning parish council and finance council.  Every parish must be financially stable and solvent. ¹ The parish council and finance council will participate in a formal and regular assessment of the communal, spiritual, sacramental and formational programs using an evaluative tool provided by the diocese.
  7. The reconfiguration of the diocese will respect the age, numbers, talents, abilities and limitation of the priest.
  8. The reconfiguration of the diocese will be congruent with civil and canon law.

¹ Financial stability and solvency is defined as being current with routine operating expenses and not being in arrears for more than three months with diocesan and high school assessments, self-insurance, benefits and priests retirement. 

 

CRITERIA FOR PARISHES

  1. Parishes:  separate or in collaboration with others will show evidence of quality ministries of the Word, Worship and Service.
  2. Parishes:  separate or in collaboration with others will show credible evidence of financial stability.
  3. Parishes:  separate or in collaboration with others will, with the assistance of the Office of Canonical Services show that their structures are congruent with civil and canon law.
  4. Parish plans for the future will show evidence of responding to fewer priests, the demographic/population shifts and the needs of Catholics today.
  5. Parish plans for the future will incorporate an assessment of existing facilities.

Prepared by the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, November 29, 2009