Notes on the Transitions,
Number 5 in a Series

Here is the text of the Q & A documents we handed out this past weekend, minus the pastors’ introductions.

Coming Together in Christ

Transitions at Holy Rosary and Visitation

The parish transition teams are committed to answering your questions about the upcoming changes at Visitation and Holy Rosary. Over the next few weeks, we plan to print out sheets like this addressing the most common questions. If you have a question, ask a member of the transition team! If we don’t know the answer, we’ll find it.

Here are a few common comments that were expressed and responses to them.

This survey was confusing! Why?
This sentiment was by far the most agreed-upon aspect of the survey. There are a great many factors to consider in a new Mass schedule, and we try to err on the side of considering as many as possible. Unfortunately this is a lot to take in, especially in a short time.

We’re sorry for having so much in the survey. Please know that your contributions are very helpful. We’re committed to communicating as best we can – this series is one such effort.

Why ask our date of birth in the survey?
Knowing the age of folks as they share their preferences helps us know which groups of people are attracted to a particular Mass time. These demographics allow us to do a better job of building a schedule that serves the needs of as many generations of people as possible.

Why don’t I have the option of my Mass time?
It is extremely difficult to come up with Mass times that will work for everyone. In fact it is absolutely impossible. There are so many factors that are necessary to take into account, and it is going to be impossible to make everyone happy about the changes because, well, change is very difficult.

In every possible scenario people are losing out on what they are accustomed to. We know that is hard, very hard; it is also hard for us as priests. At the same time, it is us working through this together, and each of us making sacrifices for the good of the whole, that will help to strengthen us as parish families. There are many factors being taken into account for this decision, and it is not easy.

When I don’t see my Mass time it makes me feel unwanted.
Every one of the members in our parishes are absolutely important to the parish family. Each member has gifts they have received from God in order to build up the faith and the kingdom of God. Those gifts are unique to each person. We hope that each person will continue to share those gifts with their respective communities. We wish we could keep all of the Mass times the way they are, but that is physically impossible.

There is a parish in the Archdiocese that is without their priest this weekend, and the Archdiocese has been working hard to find someone to fill in for that priest. If they don’t that parish won’t be able to have Mass this weekend. That is absolutely difficult, but it is the reality of how thin priests are spread in the Archdiocese right now.

You are absolutely wanted, and needed, in the parish families of Holy Rosary and Visitation. It is simply a physical impossibility to keep things the same. The decision has to be made for the greater good of both places, and that again requires sacrifice from everyone.