Changes to the Saturday Vigil Mass Schedule

Last year, during the Parish Pastoral Council’s initial discernment of the Mass schedule, it was suggested that our parish hold only one Saturday Vigil Mass each week. However, the Council could not determine at which church this one Mass should be held. Fr. Jean-Philippe suggested we retain both Vigil Masses until the discernment of the location could be revisited in 2024.

The Liturgy Commission did revisit the issue and, after much discernment, recommended a single 5 p.m. Mass, with the location of that Mass rotating between the two churches. Together with Fr. Jean-Philippe, both the Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council approved this recommendation. Therefore, beginning this August, St. John XXIII Parish will hold only one 5 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass.

From April 1 to September 30, the Vigil Mass will be held at St. Mary Church. From October 1 to March 31, the Vigil Mass will be held at St. Nicholas Church.

The reasons for making this change are as follows:

• Consolidating both Vigil Masses into one location will afford a fuller and more active congregation.
• As for the schedule, having a clean delineation of Vigil Mass location—six months at each church—will reduce week-to-week confusion about which church is holding the Mass.
• Holding the Vigil Mass at St. Mary in the warmer months will allow all to benefit from the air conditioning.
• Financially speaking, not needing to heat both churches every Saturday can help save money and reduce our deficit.
• Also, it will be easier to schedule a priest for one Vigil Mass than for two. This will become increasingly important, as we foresee a slow reduction in priests available to assist at all Masses over the coming years.
• Finally, while one church holds the Vigil Mass, the other will remain available for early evening weddings and quinceañeras!

While the parish leadership endorses this proposal for the benefit of our parish, we recognize that there is no perfect solution. As we continue our journey as St. John XXIII Parish, we ask for your kindness and patience as we travel through what, to some, may feel like a painful transition.

To share concerns or ideas about this change, please reach out to Fr. Jean-Philippe. He will share your feedback with other parish leaders.

St. John XXIII – Pray for us!