Listening Sessions were held after the masses the week-end of August 13th and 14th. There were many excellent questions about the future of Roncalli Newman and Blessed Sacrament. For those unable to attend, the questions and answers are provided below.
Mass Time Questions
Q. With two priests why do the mass times need to be changed?
A. With the priest shortages throughout the Diocese, the clustered parishes of Roncalli Newman and Blessed Sacrament were going to be served by only one priest. Because of the scope of the work to be done, Fr. Dodge requested an associate to assist. An associate was granted (Fr. Sam McCarty) with the understanding that Fr. Sam or Fr. Dodge would be available to fill in at other parishes when needed. For example, when Fr. Raj is gone for a month in January, his parishes need to be covered. Other times, priests fall ill and need a sub on short notice. This means that seven masses on a week-end is not possible to maintain.
Q. Why were 4:30 pm Sat at BSP, 9 am Sun at BSP, 11:15 am Sun at RNC and 8:30 pm Sun at RNC chosen as the times and places?
A. The mass attendance statistics, the mass time offerings throughout the city and the mass times most attended by the college students were evaluated. 9 am is a unique time in the city and is very well attended by families. 11:15 am and 8:30 pm are very well attended by the college student population so they need to be maintained at RNC. That leaves the Saturday evening and 9 am Masses at BSP. The least attended Mass time was 8am, so we decided to stay away from that time. The most attended Mass time has been 9am, so it was decided to keep that time.
Q. Is it possible to change one of these mass times or add a mass back in the future?
A. The 11:15 time is currently dictated by the offering of Families Forming Disciples (FFD) (Religious Ed) after the 9 am mass. Having the mass at 11:15 allows families attending FFD the opportunity to attend mass after at Newman if they so choose. If there are changes to the FFD schedule the time could be moved earlier.
Praise God if the existing masses are filled to or beyond capacity. In that case mass times could certainly be added back to the schedule.
Q. When and where will the Holiday and Holy Day Masses take place?
A. There is no set answer to these questions yet. All TBD. Just as with the marriage of two people who have to navigate the holiday traditions of both families, BSP and RNC will have to navigate those same waters by keeping some traditions of each parish and creating new traditions.
Bulletin Questions
Q. Why is the printed bulletin so small and incomplete? Can we go back to full-sized printed bulletins? Not everyone has computer access.
A. The bulletin being available online and distributed via email to parishioners allows for several things:
The most up-to-date information can be provided. Changes happen right up to Saturday when the final version is distributed.
There are many opportunities to sign-up to volunteer for things or to go to website for additional resources. These options within the weekly email or the online version of the bulletin allow for clickable access directly to the sign-ups or links, making it easy and efficient to sign up and get involved.
The format of the bulletin is being developed as we move forward. We can expand the printed version but the current bulletin editor is on a reduced schedule due to the premature birth of her child. Changes will come over the next several months as we fine tune the bulletin content. This will be a BOTH-AND approach as opposed to an EITHER-OR.
Music / Liturgy Questions
Q. Why are we using a worship aid instead of the existing hymnals at BSP?
A. A final decision regarding renewing the hymnal subscription at BSP has not been made. That being said, a worship aid allows for greater flexibility in song selection. Hymnals are generally publisher specific which restricts the options available. Additionally, the breadth of beautiful and prayerful music available within the Church is something to be celebrated and drawn from. The amount of paper used for the worship aids is actually less than the amount of all the printed hymnals.
Q. Is the organ going to be used at BSP going forward?
A. The short answer is Yes. We are working on ways of incorporating the various musical style preferences into our liturgies. Between BSP and RNC (as in the global Catholic Church) there is a wide range of “flavors” when it comes to worship. As we find our path forward incorporating the various preferences in our communities we ask that the following be recognized as our guiding principle: In essentials UNITY, in non-essentials DIVERSITY, in ALL things CHARITY.
Q. How are ministry schedules going to be handled going forward?
A. With the consolidation of the mass times, there are many ministry positions with a lot of volunteers from both parishes who have been serving for many years. Thank you! That means that the ministry schedules at both parishes will need to open up to allow everyone to be involved. Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) will be the platform used to coordinate these ministries going forward. There will be training sessions upcoming for anyone struggling to sign up or understand how it works. We will also publish the liturgical ministry volunteers each week in the bulletin too.
Q. Are we going to have Extraordinary Ministers of Communion going forward?
A. Short answer is Yes. Scheduling and logistics are being worked on. Please watch the bulletin for more details if you would like to be involved with this ministry.
Q. Could we have additional confession times, perhaps before or after 9 am Mass?
Short answer is Yes. We will continue to fine tune this schedule as we move forward.
Q. Can we bring back the St. Michael Prayer at the end of Mass?
A. This is a beautiful and powerful prayer that has been a part of BSP tradition since the Bishop asked the perishes to incorporate it. After that request ended, it continued on at BSP. That being said, there are many excellent prayers that could be prayed. As a compromise for now, the St. Michael prayer will be said at the conclusion of the rosary ahead of Mass.
Q. Can there be a “masked” section somewhere at BSP?
A. Potentially Yes, this will be looked into in terms of the best location. If COVID or other illnesses spike, a mask section at BSP will be enacted. In the meantime Roncalli Newman will maintain a mask required section (the section nearest the piano and confessional). Stay tuned for more info.
Parish Identity Questions
Q. Are we merged?
Short answer is No. We are maintaining separate finances, etc. That being said, the parish committees from both parishes are meeting together to find places of collaboration and ideas that can be shared. Each parish has opportunities to serve or get involved and members from both parishes are invited to participate in any activities being done.
Q. How is the money being divided up between the parishes?
A. Checks written to each parish will be given to each parish. For example, if a Roncalli Newman check is found in the BSP collection basket, that Newman check will be sent to Newman. Total loose cash in the collection will be evaluated at the end of the year to determine if one parish had a major increase or decrease compared to last year’s collection totals, and compensation will be made at that time to rectify the discrepancy.
Q. How do we blend the mission of the two parishes?
A. The overall mission of every Catholic is three-fold, to evangelize/catechize, to worship God in our liturgy and sacraments, and to serve those in need. How we incorporate those three aspects of Catholic life into our personal lives and into our parish mission is particular to the gifts of each. We will be working to find ways to build upon what each parish has done well in these areas.
Parish Life Questions
Q. Will there be additional opportunities for spiritual formation?
A. Yes, but the push for and creation of specific opportunities will largely need to come from you in the pew. If you see a need that you would like to help fill, bring your ideas to Father and he can direct you to the appropriate committee for a green-light and support your efforts. For example, a family rosary group was started by a couple of parishioners who wanted that for their kids. There has been discussion of starting a CCO group (small faith sharing group) and many others. We will also work to publicize the groups that currently exist to offer people who may not be aware.
Q. Will there be additional opportunities for social gatherings between the parishes?
A. Yes, we will be working to have social gatherings offered at both parishes moving forward. The welcome reception was held the first week-end for everyone at BSP. There will be a swing dance at Newman, the welcome week-end for the college students at Newman, a “tailgate” party at BSP for a Packer game in October, etc. These events are open to all and all are encouraged to come and mingle with your fellow parishioners.