From the Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
Mwezi huu wa Juni uliopita nilitimiza miaka minane kama mchungaji wenu. Kama nilivyosema mara nyingi, ninashukuru kwa maombi na usaidizi wenu unaoendelea. Hata katikati ya changamoto fulani ambazo zimekabili kanisa, safari yetu kama ushirikiano na kisha kama parokia moja imekuwa tukio chanya. Kama mjuavyo, nimejitahidi niwezavyo kudumisha ratiba ya kichungaji inayowapa waumini nyakati mbalimbali za Misa, huduma za ibada na madarasa ya elimu.
This past year, it has become clear that our current Mass schedule needs to be adjusted for the following reasons:
- In June of 2014, five full time priests serving the three parishes was reduced to three full time priests. In August of 2020 that was further reduced to two full time priests.
- As of August 1, 2020, we became one parish with three worship sites.
- Kwa sababu mbalimbali za kiafya, mapadre wachache waandamizi ambao wamesaidia parokia hii miaka minane wanahitaji kutathmini upya uwezo wao wa kutusaidia wikendi.
The shortage of priests is why I must now share with you the following changes to our current Mass schedule. We no longer have the priests to maintain ten weekend Masses for three worship sites that are less than two miles apart. It has become clear that we no longer have the luxury to offer three 4:00pm Masses on Saturday afternoon. With the approval of the Pastoral and Finance Councils, I am establishing the following changes in the Mass schedule which will begin the second weekend in January:
- 4:00pm Saturday Mass at Sacred Heart Church from January - June
- 4:00pm Saturday Mass at Saint Ann Church from July - December
- Eliminate the 10:30am Mass at Saint Mary
- Ondoa Misa ya 7:30 asubuhi kwenye Moyo Mtakatifu
Kuanzia Januari 6/7, 2023
The new Mass schedule is as follows:
Saint Mary Church - 4:00pm Saturday & 8:00am Sunday
Sacred Heart Church - 4:00pm Saturday, January–June, 10:00am & 6:00pm on Sunday
Saint Ann Church - 4:00pm Saturday, July - December, 9:00am & 11:00am on Sunday
By eliminating three weekend Masses, two full time priests with the assistance of a senior priest can maintain a weekend schedule that offers seven Masses at three worship sites. I realize change is not easy. However, I hope you can understand that with celebrating over 200 funerals per year along with other sacramental responsibilities, the current weekend Mass schedule is impossible to maintain. I hope that those who are affected by the change will prayerfully consider attending a different Mass. I hesitated to make this decision, but the reality is that I no longer have the pool of priests to provide for ten Masses on the weekend.
Tafadhali waombee mapadre wako wa parokia na omba ongezeko la miito ya ukuhani ili Bwana aweze kutuma wafanyakazi zaidi kwenye shamba lake la mizabibu.
I am grateful for your continued support and prayers,
Fr. Lou