Dear Friends,
As I shared in a previous post, a Transition Committee has been formed with parishioners from St. Maria Goretti and St. Joseph to explore ways we can, as good stewards, wisely consolidate the resources of our two parishes, as we prepare for the eventual merger into one parish. I am very grateful for the thoughtfulness and compassion with which the committee members have participated in this process.
Part of their work has been to begin identifying the changes needed to help us be good stewards of the spiritual, human, and material blessings entrusted to us by the Lord. I want to share some of those initial plans, which will also respond to questions some of you have raised in recent weeks.
Parish Offices & Communication Beginning July 1, 2026, the offices for both parishes will be located at St. Maria Goretti. While some work will continue to take place at the St. Joseph office for a time, staff will be available to assist all parishioners from the St. Maria Goretti office.
Starting the weekend of July 4–5, we will begin publishing a combined bulletin to ensure clear and consistent communication. Around that same time, we will also launch a new website and social media accounts.
Mass Schedule As your pastor, I greatly desire to celebrate Mass with you and all parishioners whenever possible. To make this feasible, we will be changing the Mass schedule. This will likely be one of the most noticeable changes that many of us will experience during this transition period. Many of us are, understandably, attached to a specific Mass location and time, a specific pew, and maybe even a specific parking spot. This reflects the way Mass grounds our life and our week. Beginning in August, the new Mass schedule will be as follows:
| Weekend Mass Schedule(Beginning August 1–2, 2026) • Saturday: 4:00 pm at St. Maria Goretti • Sunday: 8:30 am and 10:30 am at St. Maria Goretti • Sunday: 6:00 pm at St. Joseph The Sunday evening Mass will continue at St. Joseph for the time being, as long as there is adequate space. In time, this Mass will move to St. Maria Goretti or another nearby church. | Weekday Mass Schedule(Beginning August 3, 2026) • Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 9:00 am at St. Joseph • Wednesday and Friday: 9:00 am at St. Maria Goretti The weekly Eucharistic Holy Hour will continue at St. Joseph on Thursday evenings. Baptisms, weddings, and funerals will continue to be celebrated at both churches. |
I do not want, in any way, to minimize the sacrifice that this change to the Mass schedule will require of our parishioners. But this change brings with it the promise of being able to worship the Lord with more of our sisters and brothers in Christ, of deepening our communion with more members of the Body of Christ, and of being a brighter sign of the “catholicity” (universality) of the Church. Thank you for your understanding and for the sacrifices this change may require for the good of all parishioners.
Mass Intentions The change in our Mass schedule also involves a change in the way we can receive requests for Mass intentions. A pastor is required to ensure that a Mass is celebrated for the people of the parish every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. When a pastor serves more than one parish, this obligation may be fulfilled in a single Mass.
- Beginning the weekend of August 1–2, one Sunday Mass each weekend (including the Saturday evening Mass) at either St. Maria Goretti or St. Joseph will be celebrated for the intentions of all parishioners of both parishes. In a typical week, three Sunday Masses (including the Saturday evening Mass) and five weekday Masses will remain available for individual intentions.
- Beginning July 1, 2026, all Mass intentions will be scheduled through the parish office at St. Maria Goretti. To accommodate Mass intention requests fairly, parishioners will be able to request a limited number of Masses per year.
Sacrament of Reconciliation The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) will continue to be an important part of our parish life. Starting on August 1, a priest will be available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays at St. Maria Goretti from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the chapel. In addition, a priest will also be available during the weekly Eucharistic Holy Hour on Thursdays at St. Joseph from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
If you would like to ask a question or questions about these changes, or what to expect as we plan and prepare for the merger, please feel click on the link below to submit a question.
Thank you for your patience, your faith, and your willingness to walk this journey together. While change can be challenging, I am confident that God is guiding us, and that together we will grow stronger as one parish family. 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 Gajarodo