July 18, 2010
First Weeks of the Cluster
We have completed the first two weeks of our cluster. I want to thank both staffs and parishioners for your cooperation. From my standpoint things are going well. There are items that are being adjusted as we see what is needed. The one item for St. Bridget Parish is the Nursing Homes Masses are being moved to Wednesday afternoons. This will provide me a full uninterrupted day St. Mary’s in Hammond.
I am getting better at remembering what I have to take to each parish. Also, I am driving the speed limit to get to one parish to another. Some people have asked….! The parish councils of St. Mary’s and St. Bridget’s will have a dinner meeting in August to discuss ideas for future collaboration.
June 18, 2010
Please read the newsletter for important information regarding the recent decision to cluster St. Bridget’s and St. Mary’s.
If you have any questions, you can contact the parish office at 425-1870.
Thank you, and God Bless!
June 16, 2010
Dear Parishioners and Staff Members of St. Bridget and St. Mary’s Parishes:
We recently received a letter from Bishop Peter Christensen informing us that St. Bridget Church, River Falls, and St. Mary’s Church, Hammond, will be clustered effective June 29, 2010.
The decision to cluster was anticipated and has been discussed within our diocese. Both parishes were a part of The New Spring Time study that was conducted a few years ago. Both parishes will remain separate legal corporations as are all parishes in the Diocese of Superior. Basically, clustering means that St. Bridget and St. Mary’s will share a common pastor. I will be that pastor. I was administrator of St. Mary’s thirty years ago and look forward to working with the Hammond parish again.
The first decision to be made was to determine the Mass times at each parish. Based on input from the parish councils regarding Mass time preferences, we will try the following new Mass times:
St. Bridget, River Falls: Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
St. Mary’s, Hammond: Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 8:00 a.m.
These times insure that everyone will have reasonable access to Mass. The LIFETEEN Mass will be at St. Bridget on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. beginning in the fall. I will spend Saturday nights in Hammond. The Parish Staffs and Parish Council members felt that this would make the most sense because it would prevent my having to “race” back and forth between River Falls and Hammond. Both parishes have told me that, “Whatever works for you, will be fine with us. We don’t want you to burn out.” I appreciate that support and will pace myself so as to conserve my energy.
I will have two additional nursing homes where I will need to minister. Therefore, I will have one Mass at each facility each month. On Thursdays, I will spend the day, or most of the day, at St. Mary’s in Hammond for Mass at the church and at one of the nursing homes. We also plan to have Sunday morning office hours at St. Bridget Church occasionally.
Many people have asked how they can help. To facilitate these changes, we will need additional liturgical ministers. There is a general sign-up for additional ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, cantors, greeters, and Sunday sacristans in the Parish Hall. We also need Scrip volunteers. Thank you!
I realize that change is not easy for some people and that many of you will have questions and concerns. It is important for me to hear personally what you have to say and to respond the best that I can. I hope that the information that follows on the grieving process will be of help. Clustering can also be an exciting time of wonderful growth and opportunity for our parishes. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will guide this time of change so that it can truly be the Spirit’s work. We will continue to keep every one posted. Thanks for your understanding and patience.
Sincerely,
Rev. Gerald Harris,
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