THE PARISH OF…….:

There has been a lot of interest in the naming process of the parish, and the names from which we have been asked to choose.  The majority of which has been very positive.  A few individuals have felt they would like to have at least one other choice, but overall, the response has been a growing excitement in the naming process.  Once again, the name choices are provided to us by the Bishop, and the names that were given are:

1.) The Parish of the Assumption; 
2.) The Parish of the Incarnation; 
3.) The Parish of the Divine Word

The weekend of May 16 & 17th we will invite everyone to participate in the selection of our name.  If you will be away that weekend, and would still live to voice your choice, please contact Fr Marc at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We hope you will take the opportunity to share in the naming of our parish community under one of the three name choices provided to us.

 In reply to some questions and comments:

First of all thank you to those who have engaged the conversation regarding the naming of the parish with your questions and comments.  I’ve responded, when possible directly to individuals who have provided me with either their name and address or their email address.  Others have left me with no opportunity to respond, so thought I’d generically address some of the questions that might be common ones here.

Where’s the name “Catholic”?  Publications, signage, advertisements can all contain additional information about the parish and it’s identity.  But the canonical name of St Mary is St Mary Parish;  St Joseph is St Joseph Parish, and so on.  The canonical name of the new parish doesn’t include the name Catholic because that is assumed, just as the denomination is not mentioned in the official name of the Churches or Synagogues of other Religious denominations.

 How about Parish of the Xxxxx, A Catholic Faith Community”  once again, in any of our publications, signage and other ways in which we talk about ourselves can electively choose to have a “bi-line” of our own choosing, but the official name of the parish wouldn’t include such a “tag”.

 UPCOMING NEW MASS SCHEDULE:

 As you are aware, we have been “counting heads” at every Mass, at each church, for the past several weeks.  The numbers have been extremely important in helping the Task Force to  consider what the requirements would be to create a Mass schedule will be able to  accommodate the community that gather’s each week for Mass.  The numbers reflect the current attendance, and gives some insight into the possibility of future growth needs.  The actual numbers of attendees at Mass each weekend are listed on the following table:

* numbers estimated from following weekends, as numbers were not available.

It is from this data that the Task Force has been working to determine a weekend Mass Schedule.  Factors that are influencing the discussion include:  a.) the number of people currently attending;  b.) the seating capacity of each churches; c.) the overall condition of each church; d.) developing a schedule one priest can cover on any particular weekend; e.) responsible financial stewardship, especially in light of these economic times.

 An initial schedule has been developed which was presented to the four parish councils at their combined meeting on April 14th, for their discussion and review.  The Task Force has taken their feedback and the feedback of random small groups and individual parishioners back to their discussion for further review.

 The Task force hopes to have a finalized Weekend and Weekday Mass schedule to announce within the next week.

 Please watch the upcoming bulletins for further updates, news and requests for your participation.  Working together we will build upon the communities that previous generations have handed on to us.  Together we will share one faith, prayer and gift of Eucharist.
                                                                                     

                                                    - Fr Marc