BISHOP THOMAS’S THINKING AND POLICY ABOUT COMMUNION SERVICES:
Recently, I, Fr. Beaver, was asked to review our Diocesan policy in regard to holding Communion Services on days on which a priest is not available to celebrate Masses on weekdays in a given parish.
I will share the response of Bishop Thomas on this matter as this was expressed through Monsignor Charles Singler, the Director of the Diocesan Office for Worship: “It is the Bishop’s desire that Communion Services are not to be scheduled in parishes when a priest is not available to celebrate Mass. In this instance, the faithful should be advised to attend Mass at a neighboring parish where Mass is being offered…When you are scheduled to have Mass at a nursing care facility, you might consider inviting your parishioners to that Mass you are celebrating. Perhaps this arrangement might be seen as a parish outreach having some of your members with the nursing care residents for the Mass. While the spiritual welfare of our people is foremost in priestly ministry, the limited number of priests to offer Holy Mass has prompted us to seek ways in promoting this primary expression of Catholic worship by directing our people to local parish churches where their spiritual hunger might be satisfied.”
This means that starting on Monday, December 12th, Communion Services are no longer to be held either in St. Mary Parish or in Resurrection Parish. All who want to receive the Eucharist daily are encouraged to participate at Mass in a nearby parish where Mass is celebrated or attend Mass at a nursing/retirement facility where Mass is normally celebrated. Father Beaver’s normal schedule for celebrating Mass at nursing/retirement facilities is as follows: at Mifflin Care Center on the first Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. on days on which St. Mary School is in session; on the first Thursday of the month at Lexington Court Care Center at 9:30 a.m.; on the second Thursday of the month at Country Meadow Care Center in rural Bellville at 2:00 p.m.; on the third Tuesday of the month at Primrose Retirement Communities at 2:00 p.m.
The normal weekday Mass schedule is altered whenever a funeral comes up. All persons are welcome to participate at funeral Masses when these occur as a way of supporting persons who have lost a loved one.