Dear Friends:
At this point of the year, toward the end of February, it seems proper to give you an account of the spiritual state of the parish for the year 2023. As our fiscal year for the parish has been changed recently from a January to December model to a July to June model, a financial report on the state of the parish for July, 2023 through June, 2024 will be coming sometime in late summer or early fall as our data is finalized.
For the year 2023, we celebrated the baptisms of one hundred thirty-nine (139) children. One hundred and four (104) children received their First Communion. Eighty-three (83) young people in their junior year of high school were confirmed at the cathedral in Hartford in November. Eight (8) couples were joined in marriage. We commended one hundred and forty-seven (147) parishioners to God in funeral rites. While these may seem to be little more than statistics, and statistics are not without their importance, these numbers tell us that we are part of a large and active parish.
We must look to the future and it is more proximate than we may think. It is very likely, very probable, that in the near future we will have only two priests assigned to our parish. We have to make plans to deal with one fewer priest, even as the work load will not diminish. With this in mind, it is perhaps providential that recently, all the priests in the Archdiocese received a letter from the Archbishops, and I say Archbishops as it was signed both by Archbishop Blair, who is retiring in the near future, and Archbishop Coyne, who will succeed him on his retirement. The letter lays out the case that there are too many Masses scheduled in the parishes of the Archdiocese, especially given the size of some of our churches. The letter directs the pastors to begin to consider seriously a reduction in the number of Masses offered. While celebrating the Mass is a primary and important role for priests, it is not the only thing that we have to do. The desire is to see that we normally do not celebrate weekend Masses with churches less than half full.
With this in mind, after consultation with Fr. Lijo and Fr. Alen, Deacon John and Deacon Nick, as well as the Parish Pastoral Council, I have decided to introduce a new Mass schedule that will take effect on January 1, 2025. This new schedule will entail a reduction of our weekend Masses by two, from the current eight Masses to six, eliminating a Mass at both churches, and a significant reduction of our weekday Masses, from two a day to one. The sheer number of funerals adds significantly to our weekday schedule here, and there are days when there may be two or even three funerals celebrated.
It is important that the priests have sufficient energy to celebrate every Mass reverently and well. It seems prudent at this time to reduce the schedule. Furthermore, the new schedule has to be arranged so that one priest, if absolutely necessary, can celebrate all the Masses if the other is away or unable to do so because of illness or another reason. Of course, every effort will be made in such instances to procure assistance from other priests, especially senior (retired) priests, but it is not always easy to do so.
The new schedule will mean that some of you may have to change the Mass which you have been accustomed to attend. Some will have to go to a different church, be it St. Mary’s or St. Agnes, if you cannot change the time or the day when you want to participate at Mass. Almost everyone will have to make some changes in this regard, and that includes the priests themselves. While I know that this may seem disconcerting and perhaps upsetting, please understand that these changes are necessary, especially for the physical well-being of the priests. In the long run, I believe that these changes will enhance the spiritual life of the parish as well. Another factor that remains out in the future is the possible merger of our parish with St. Raphael Parish [the former St. Ann and St. Gabriel parishes on the western side of Milford] when the pastor retires. When and if that happens, and I think it is more likely when, some additional modification of the parish schedule will become necessary.
I will leave this as it is for now. I will announce the new Mass schedule in the bulletin for Easter Sunday, and the Mass Book for 2025 will be opened on Monday, April 8. Due to the reduction in Masses available, we may place a limit on how many Masses, be they for Sunday or weekdays, that can be booked at any one time. I ask and hope for the cooperation of all as we seek to adjust to ever new and unfolding realities.
Sincerely,