A massive shake-up is to take place across the Diocese of Clogher in the coming weeks that will see Mass numbers slashed, as parishes struggle to cope with the decline in the number of priests available.
The diocese, which includes Bundoran, Ballyshannon and Pettigo, has announced changes to Mass times in several Donegal parishes from the weekend of October 6-7, 2018.
The Clogher Diocese was forced into action after a review found that the number of priests across the focused area was ‘diminishing’.
In a recent Pastoral Letter by the Diocesan Administrator, Monsignor Joseph McGuinness, new figures showed that the Diocese of Clogher has just 58 priests who are active in parish ministry at present, 28 of whom are aged over 65.
The statistics also show that the diocese has just 44 priests under the age of 75, and these are ministering to communities in its 85 churches and 37 parishes.
They show a reduction in the number of Masses across the diocese from 113 at present to 96, a reduction of 15%. Many parishes will see Masses being rotated between two or even three churches at weekends.
The reduction of Masses is to allow for the reduced number of priests to celebrate several Masses on a weekend across parish boundaries in each Pastoral Areas and to provide people with a range of options in each parish and general locality. In some cases, churches will only have Mass on designated Sundays of each month.
In a letter to be read by across the Diocese of Clogher, Monsignor Joseph McGuinness said ‘there is no question of any church being closed’.
The full letter:
Dear Friends in Christ,
Some weeks ago, I wrote to you all concerning the future mission of our parishes in the Diocese of Clogher. I highlighted the current reality in our diocese; that the number of priests is continuing to diminish and that this, along with the ageing profile of our priests, makes it increasingly difficult to maintain the level of service to our people that has prevailed in the past.
I mentioned, in particular, that the number and times of Masses across our parishes needed to be reviewed.
This would mean some reduction in the number of Masses and changes in the times that they are celebrated. Since then, the priests in our 7 Pastoral Areas have met on several occasions to conduct this review. As I promised, I have led and directed this process in the different areas.
As a result, we have agreed on a revised schedule of weekend Masses across the whole diocese, which is being published this weekend. No Pastoral Area of the diocese will be unaffected by these changes. This revised schedule, which has my full approval, takes effect on the weekend of October 6 and 7, 2018.
In this plan, we have tried to take account of the following:
Firstly, to best provide a range of Mass times for congregations across neighbouring parishes,
Secondly, to reduce the workload and stress on priests and to allow priests to be available to support priests in other parishes as the need arises and at times of illness,
Thirdly, to take into account, as far as possible, local circumstances and geography, so as to maintain the sense of community and identity that exists in our parishes, and,
Fourthly, that Mass continues to be celebrated in all the churches of the diocese and that every church continues to be a living place of worship. There is no question of any church being closed.
Another change that parishes will experience is having priests from neighbouring parishes coming in on a regular basis to preside at the Sunday Eucharist. This will mean that you and they will get to know each other better, and this will help with greater collaboration between priests and laypeople and between parishes themselves.
I know and understand that not everyone will be happy with every aspect of these changes. However, I am confident that the people of the diocese as a whole will give them a chance. Indeed, I am greatly encouraged by the response to my recent letter and the degree to which people recognise the reality we are now in. Your understanding and willingness to support these arrangements is deeply appreciated.
There are two other matters that I wish to bring to your attention today:
The first concerns the combination of anniversary intentions in a single Mass – that is where Masses on any weekday or weekend can be offered up for several intentions, including months minds or even Funeral Masses. Many of our parishes have been doing this for some time now, since there are fewer Masses. I am now authorising all parishes to implement this practice, as needed, from the first Sunday of October 2018.
The provisions of Canon Law will apply when a priest is offered more than one stipend for the same Mass – the priest may only accept one offering for himself for any Mass. The other stipends will be used to contribute to the work of the Church in accordance with established practice.
The second matter concerns Funeral Masses on Sundays. Due to the decline in the number of priests, the reduced number of Masses at weekends, and the reality that priests will now have to celebrate several Masses on Sundays, it will not be possible to celebrate an additional Funeral Mass on Sundays. In other words, Funeral Masses on Sundays will have to be at one of the Sunday Masses.
If this arrangement does not accommodate a family’s wishes, it can be arranged to have the Funeral Mass either on the Saturday or on the Monday.
I know that you will understand the reasoning for this and support your local priest accordingly.
My dear friends, I thank you for the support that both I and your priests have received since the publication of my letter on August 11. I thank the priests of the diocese who have co-operated with me and with each other on this plan.
It is the beginning of the task of addressing the spiritual and pastoral needs of all in our diocese in what is now a very changed landscape.
There is still much to be done, especially by lay men and women, in renewing parish life and the mission of the church into the future. In this way, we can work towards a balancing of the roles of clergy and laity in our Church, where all work in partnership together.
We ask God, through the intercession of his Blessed Mother and St Macartan, to guide and protect us on this journey of hope and love.
With every blessing,
Monsignor Joseph McGuinness
Diocesan Administrator
Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Bundoran
A full list of Donegal Parishes affected by these changes can be seen below.
NORTH-FERMANAGH / DONEGAL PASTORAL AREA:
Parishes of Irvinestown; Ederney; Pettigo; Garrison-Belleek and Bundoran-Ballyshannon.
VIGIL MASSES
6pm Church of the Sacred Heart, Irvinestown
6.15pm St Joseph’s Church, Ederney
(November to April only. No Vigil May-October)
7pm St Patrick’s Church, Belleek (Alternate Saturdays)
7pm Church of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Garrison (Alternate Saturdays)
7pm Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Bundoran
7.30pm St Mary’s, Pettigo
SUNDAY MASSES
8.30am Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Bundoran
9.30am St Patrick’s Church, Montiagh
(November to April only. Alternates with Lettercran during May to October).
9.30am St Joseph’s Church, Lettercran
(November to April only. Alternates with Montiagh during May to October)
9.30am St Molaisse’s Church, Whitehill
10am St Joseph’s Church, The Rock, Ballyshannon.
10am St John the Baptist Church, Toura
(on a three-Sunday cycle with Cashelnadrea and Mulleek)
10am St Joseph’s Church, Cashelnadrea
(on a three-Sunday cycle with Toura and Mulleek)
10am St Michael’s Church, Mulleek
(on a three-Sunday cycle with Cashelnadrea and Toura)
11am Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Bundoran
11am St Joseph’s Church, Ederney
11am Church of the Sacred Heart, Irvinestown
11.30am Church of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Garrison (Alternate Sundays)
11.30am St Patrick’s Church, Belleek (Alternate Sundays)
12.30pm Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Bundoran (July & August only)
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