Dear Friends:
As we have now launched into the month of October, we undertake some normal activities. Normalcy, whatever that means in our day, is a good thing as it serves as a kind of “anchor” to which we can cling in the midst of the uncertainty and upheaval of our times.
You will notice for the next several weeks that the ushers will be making their way up the aisles at every Mass. You might hear a clicking noise. This is a normal October activity, what is called the “October Count.” Every year the Archdiocese of Hartford requires that parishes take a count of the number of people at every Mass, as well as the number receiving Communion. This gives the Chancery, the administrative offices of the Archdiocese, a “snapshot” as it were regarding the health and the vitality of the various parishes. While the Archdiocese asks that such a count be taken on one weekend, I have deemed it better to take it on most, if not all, of the weekends in October and then submit a count based on the average weekly attendance. This, I think, is much more accurate.
I will say that, given the numbers I have seen over the past few months, there is the possibility of reducing the number of weekend Masses from eight to six, eliminating one each, both at St. Mary’s as well as St. Agnes’. The Archdiocese prefers that the number of weekend Masses not be unnecessary, but only the number needed to serve the people who come to Mass. I am hesitant to do this at this point, especially given the fact that our parish is fortunate to have three priests assigned to it. However, the reduction in Masses may become necessary, especially if we lose one of the priests to a reassignment and he is not replaced. Another factor that will be in the mix is the fact that I myself am not getting younger, but a bit older as we all do (I am 63 years old). We can all do something about this, and that is to encourage parishioners we know who have not been coming to Mass (for whatever reason, be it indifference or fear stemming from the pandemic) to do so. Our parish has some 4500 families listed as registered parishioners. Our Sunday Masses should be fuller than they are.
The Annual Collection is being reinstituted this year, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Letters will be sent out in the near term asking for your support of this collection which is aimed at funding significant improvements to the parish plants. Already we are working on having the doors at St. Mary’s completely refurbished, as they are sorely in need of it. We will be installing power door openers to assist those who are disabled (or those assisting them) to get into both churches more easily. We also are purchasing two new beautiful church-sized statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for St. Agnes. The current statues, which are really too small, will be relocated to the vestibule near Fr. Callahan Hall.
Finally, as the year wanes, I would encourage anyone who has not done so to consider making a gift or a pledge to the 2023 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. We are slightly short of our goal of $145,000. If ten or fifteen families were to step up and make a gift or pledge, we will meet it. The Appeal does a great deal of good, not only for the ministries of the Archdiocese, but also for those in need across New Haven, Hartford and Litchfield counties.
Well, that is enough for now. Have a good week!