Dear Friends,
In a earlier post, I shared with you the new Mass schedule that will go into effect in August, as one of the first steps to prepare for joining St. Maria Goretti and St. Joseph into one new parish. This announcement answered some questions while raising new ones. I would like to answer some of those questions now, especially some that relate to the way we are called to steward with thoughtfulness the material resources with which the Lord has blessed us.
For many of us, part of our experience of participating in Sunday Mass is the offering of our weekly contribution. At St. Joseph, this has been done after the petitions, with ushers going through the church with collection baskets. At St. Maria Goretti, the practice has been for parishioners to drop their contributions into one of the offertory baskets as they enter the church for Mass. These practices will continue at each location, even after the new Mass schedule begins. In other words, those going to 4 pm Mass on Saturday, or to 8:30 am or 10:30 am Masses on Sunday at St. Maria Goretti can simply drop their contribution in one of the offertory baskets near the entrances; those going to the 6 pm Mass on Sunday at St. Joseph can put their contribution into the collection baskets when the ushers go through the church.
While the new Mass schedule will begin in August, the final merger of the parishes will not happen until some later time. As a result, parishioners at each parish will continue to receive the envelopes from their respective parish. Until the merger is completed, contributions made using the envelopes of either parish will be credited to that parish and will be used for the work and needs of that parish, whether the envelopes are given at a Mass celebrated at St. Joseph or St. Maria Goretti. Those who give online can continue to do so without having to do any changes, and their contribution will be credited to their respective parish.
Church law indicates that the monetary assets and property of a parish belong to the parish, not to the diocese. That means that, once the two parishes officially merge, the assets will be combined for the use of the new parish. None of the money or property that currently belongs to St. Maria Goretti or St. Joseph will go to the coffers of the diocese. Of course, any money that the parishes owe to the diocese or to vendors will also be assumed by the new parish.
One of the many things that has impressed me about both St. Maria Goretti and St. Joseph is the generosity with which parishioners support their parish. I want to thank you for your generosity. I also want to emphasize that the goal of preparing to merge the two parishes is to help all of us to continue to live out faithfully the mission the Lord has entrusted to us.
Aside from material blessings, we are also called to be faithful and prudent stewards of the time and talents that the Lord has given to us. In a nearby post, I share with you some information on how we can continue to be those faithful and prudent stewards through the ministries of the two parishes in Dyer.
As always, if you would like to ask questions about what to expect as we plan and prepare for the merger, please click on the link below to submit a question.
Finally, I ask you to continue to keep all the parishioners at St. Joseph and St. Maria Goretti in your prayers as we navigate the journey of becoming one parish.
Peace,
Father Leo