Exiit qui seminat

As I've discussed last summer, Bishop Sullivan issued a decree in the beginning of August 2022 in response to the rapidly declining number of priests and the need to have "quality" instead of "quantity" in terms of the celebration of Mass to alter Mass schedules based on several criteria (You can find a copy of that decree at  https://catholicstarhearld.org/wpcontent/uploads/2022/08/Decree-issued-8.8.22.pdf ). This decree is to go into effect diocesanwide on July 1, 2023. In anticipation of July, the diocese has asked each parish to submit their plans by the end of April and I have recently submitted my recommendations to the diocese and I am awaiting their response. Please know that I would not make any changes to the Mass schedule without first consulting you and the parish pastoral council, nor was the survey many of you have received from the pastoral council for the purpose of changing the Mass schedule. However, I wanted to be upfront with all of you about what the parishes in the Diocese of Camden are facing so that no one is caught unawares. This was a difficult decision for the bishop and the diocese to make, and changes, if any, will equally be difficult to implement. Be assured that I will notify the parish as soon as I receive any updates. Please pray for Bishop Sullivan and for all of the parishes of the diocese as we continue to strive to faithfully serve the People of God entrusted to our care.

Fr. Rob Sinatra