Our Boone County Catholic Community welcomes Alayna Longhorn as our new Bookkeeper for our parishes. She is from Pilot Mound, married to Scott and mother of four children. She is presently receiving direction from Heather who is stepping back while remaining active in Youth Ministry. We also welcome Marsha Skinner who will coordinate activities, and ministries at St. Malachy Church. She will have office hours on Tuesday and Wednesday at St. Malachy rectory. Most importantly, besides their abilities and service for our Catholic community, they are each strong in their Christian faith, and value the blessing of family. Recognizing the changes taking place in our society, those directed by the diocese, and the shortage of priests affecting all parishes, may we remain hopeful, willing to support one another, and allow the Eucharist to nurture a spirit of gratitude and compassion within our faith lives. As some have read in a recent issue of our diocesan newspaper, The Lumen, there will be another change in our weekend Mass schedule. As promulgated by Bishop Nickless, following the recommendations of a committee of priests, a parish priest may preside at one Vigil Mass (Saturday evening) only. No exceptions. On Sunday a parish priest may preside at two Masses only and if a third is deemed necessary, permission is to be granted by the Bishop. With the exception of a funeral or wedding, a parish priest is to preside at one Mass per weekday. As we were informed of the decision, the committee sought guidance for their recommendations in Canon Law. 905-1: A priest is not permitted to celebrate the Eucharist more than once a day except in cases where the law permits him to celebrate more than once on the same day. 905-2: If there is a shortage of priests the local ordinary (bishop) can allow priests to celebrate twice a day for just cause, or if pastoral necessity requires it, up to three Masses on a Sunday. Their decision comes at an ‘awkward’ time as we begin Advent and prepare for Christmas. Though I feel our present Mass schedule is viable for St. Malachy and Sacred Heart churches—allowing ample opportunity for the participation in the Eucharist—I will be required to follow the diocesan decree at some point. As of now, our weekend Mass schedule will remain the same as we enter the season of Advent. With respect to the committee and Bishop Nickless’ desire to protect the well-being of parish priests, considering the present shortage, I believe the four weekend Masses we celebrate here in Boone County provide opportunities for individuals, families, retired, and the elderly to participate in the Eucharist. Thank you for your understanding when the change does occur. As we enter the season of Advent, reflect on this pertinent consideration from the Passionists of Holy Cross Providence: “Advent is an attitude of anticipation. The entire season prepares us to allow Christ into our hearts, sometimes in ways far different from other times when we celebrate the “excitement of December.” Many people want everything about this season to stay the same year after year: the same carols, the same schedule for giving gifts, even food prepared in the same way. Fine. Consistency does give consolation to the heart. But another truth tells us that each year ought to be different. We are not the same. We are faced with different responsibilities, moved by different insights, changed (or charged) by circumstances we didn’t have before, challenged by fresh opportunities and different memories, equipped with increasing or diminishing capacities for coping with all these variations. So we never “Advent” in exactly the same way. Christ is preparing to come to us this Christmas in a way that suits who we are—and how we are—this year.” God Bless, Fr. Tim FYI: “At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others