It’s Angel again! I haven’t written in a long time, I know. Sorry about that! I’ve been really busy getting in some extra naps & doing some intense treat-testing (they’re all so delicious), but my dad asked me if I could pull myself away from my toys long enough to write another column & I said, “Sure,” so here I am!

  I know that over the past month or so, you’ve been hearing about some of the upcoming changes that we’re looking at around both parishes, especially when it comes to our Masses. It’s not easy to think about change, is it? But, while change isn’t easy, I wanted you to know how much my dad is trying to do his best to help guide you through this. He asked me to tell you that his goal is to figure out a way both parishes to be the best that you can be. As he goes back & forth between St. Patrick & St. Vincent de Paul, often with me in tow, I know that he loves each & every one of you. He is going to do everything that he can do & that we can do to help each parish to be that place of encounter with God that it is called to be. He wanted me to assure you that the plan is to remain 2 parishes, working together & supporting each other.

  I know, & he knows, that most likely the most impactful change that he has talked about is the possibility of having 1 Mass between both parishes on Saturday evening. He knows that that possibility has brought about some fear & wonder in so many. The possibility of cutting back a Mass is a tough possibility to think about. My dad knows that & so ever since he first talked about the possibility of that happening, he’s been talking to people, thinking about everything, & exploring possibilities, & he told me that he has some news that will bring you some comfort & some joy. We will NOT be going to 1 Vigil Mass on Saturday for both parishes. Each parish will retain their Vigil Mass, but he told me that he will have to adjust the times of each Mass a bit in order to make it possible. He’s thinking of a 4:00 Mass & a 6:00 Mass & he’s still not sure exactly what the Confession schedule will look like (that may be adjusted to a day other than Saturday), but there will continue to be 1 Saturday & 1 Sunday Mass at each parish. My dad says that he’s hoping to be able to secure as much help as he can, but he also wants to set up the schedule so that it could be done by 1 person, so that if he can’t get any help on a particular weekend or if he is out of town 1 person could fill in both Masses for him. Thank you for your thoughts & input for helping to guide him through these uncertain waters!

  Have a blessed week & I promise that I will write again soon (as long as my dad keeps giving me some treats as payment).