Between the Hearts with Fr. Craig
I am almost out of boxes and moved in, sort of. In order to make things look nice, I just stuffed every- thing in drawers and closets. I mention this because there has been many of you who have wrote me nice notes and even gave some gifts as well. I’m so very grateful, and normally I send a thank you, but as I said, some of it is in a drawer I haven’t organized yet. Please know that I am very heartened by your warmth and kindness. My prayers are always with you.
As we begin our new Mass schedule next week, please also remember that there will be more times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I will be in the confessional a half hour before every Mass during the week and on Sunday. On Saturdays I will be in the confessional an hour before Mass, but with one caveat. The Divine Child priests can’t help out with Saturday confessions, so on Saturday, confessions will only happen where I am. The plan is to switch week from week. My first Saturday next week is at Sacred Heart, so that is where Saturday confessions will be.
The restructuring process is in full swing and hard decisions are being made. Having had time to submit our questions and concerns to the archdiocese, it is basically out of our hands. We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide those who have to make these decisions and that God’s will be done.
Here is where it gets hard. I don’t want this to catch you off guard and I want you to be prepared. I don’t believe everyone really grasps the magnitude of what is coming next year. The very look of the archdiocese and the way parishes run is going to be completely different. Almost no parish is going to have one pastor for one parish, that will be a thing of the past. This has been public knowledge for a few months now, but I think we need to remind ourselves about the reality of what is to come and name it. For Sacred Heart, two models have you with either four or five other parishes. That is going to look a lot different than what it looks like today; more change.
Two out of the three models of pastorates have St. Kateri with no Masses on the weekend. Even if St. Kateri was to stay open with the one pastorate, it would probably go down to one Mass. This will all happen in less than one year. I know this causes pain, yet it is the truth. You have done nothing wrong. You have been faithful in taking care of your parishes and doing your best. It is the sum of everything that has led up to this moment in the restructuring process that has led to this outcome. Too many parishes, too few people, too few priests, and all the rest that has been presented to us is the reason. Visit the restructuring website if you wish to see again all the different reasons in detail. I mention this to say that this is not due to any unfaithfulness, but rather a sign of the times. This may be the last year we can celebrate who we are and remember all the good that has been accomplished. Yes, we grieve our loss, but we can still put our hope in God knowing that His will be done. We have already won in Christ; all we have to do is remain faithful. Who really knows what God has in store for our future.
Sometimes when I’m down, I like to think of the blessings God has given me. It even says to do that in the Bible. If you feel like it, I would love to hear some of the blessings that you received from the parish. Or, if there is something memorable that you would like to share with me. Write me a note or send an email, it may be a wonderful reminder of God’s goodness to us. Hopefully, it may put a smile on your face too. As always, please feel free to contact me. Know of my prayers!
In Christ,
Fr. Craig
