Mass Schedule Change
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One Priest ParishSt. Patrick Parish has officially transitioned to one priest. To ensure that we are exercising good stewardship over our resources and protecting the health and well-being of our priest, we must adjust our weekend and daily schedules. Managing five weekend liturgies alongside regular baptism, weddings, and funerals is not practical or sustainable for one person.
The Pastor, Parish Council and staff have spent time looking deeply at the reality of our current situation, Church law and actual attendance numbers. Out of deep respect for you, our parishioners, we are willing to listen and adjust these plans based on constructive feedback.
Scroll down for proposed schedule and feedback form.
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DataOur beautiful church comfortably accommodates 575 people. Looking at our historical data for the past several years, we discovered that our pews are largely empty during many of our weekend liturgies.
Based on the capacity of 575 people here is the breakdown of the percentage of empty pews per regular Mass.
Mass Time Average Attendance Percentage of Empty Pews Sat.
5:00 p.m.124 people 78.4% empty Sun.
7:00 a.m.64 people 88.9% empty Sun.
9:30 a.m.177 people 69.2% empty Sun.
11:30 a.m.99 people 82.8% empty Sun.
5:00 p.m.117 people 79.7% empty
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Understanding the RealityAccording to the Code of Canon Law, a priest is generally permitted to celebrate Mass only once per day. However, the local bishop may permit a priest to celebrate twice a day for a just cause or up to three times on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation out of pastoral necessity. A single priest simply cannot legally or physically maintain our previous multi-Mass weekend schedule.
This is not unique to St. Patrick Parish. The church is facing an acute shortage of clergy as retirements outpace new ordinations. Neighboring communities like St. Vincent de Paul in Stirling and St. Vincent Martyr in Madison are navigating the exact same reality. The "priest power" to bring a second priest to our parish simply does not exist.
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Proposed ScheduleChange is difficult yet necessary to consolidate our community to bring a beautiful, renewed energy to our worship. The proposed schedule to begin in the fall is as follows.
This is a collaborative effort and everyone has an opportunity to be heard. We welcome our constructive feedback, your pros and cons and your thoughts on both the weekend and daily Mass proposals.
Please submit your thoughts exclusively using the form below before August 1, 2026. The final decision will be announced on August 15, 2026.
While change is hard, approaching this transition in a spirit of understanding and mutual support will help our parish remain vibrant, healthy, and well-served for many years to come.
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4:00 p.m.Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PMMoved from 5 PM to allow seniors and others with night vision challenges to avoid driving in the dark during winter months.
This also allows families the possibility of enjoying an early evening together.
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Daily Mass - 8:15 a.m. OR 8:30 a.m.Currently, the 8:00 a.m. daily Mass time does not align well with our school schedule and children are often forced to rush directly into the liturgy without time to get adjusted and settled.
An 8:30 start allows plenty of time to arrive and get settled before calmly proceeding to church.
An 8:15 offers a middle ground that gives the children to chance to arrive without rushing while respecting the schedule of parishioners who need to commute to work by 9 a.m.
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Sunday -
9 :00 & 11:00 a.m.By bringing everyone together into two vibrant Sunday celebrations, we will better fill our church and life our vices together as one family.
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FeedbackPlease note that we want to keep our dialogue grounded in our shared reality. Change is difficult, yet necessary, approaching it with a spirit of openness to the promptings and will of God will truly enable us to serve Christ, His church and His people as Jesus would.
We do ask that you keep in mind that these changes (and other changes in the parish) are not being made for the sake of change itself. They are being made in an sincere effort to best meet the needs of St. Patrick Parish in a responsible fashion. We truly appreciate constructive suggestions offered in good will for our parish community.
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