MASS TIMES CHANGE
To launch a discussion on rationalising Sunday Mass times across the LPA the following letter was read out at all the Masses 12/13 April in the three churches. As a result of the discussions that followed some amendments to the original proposals were made: SEE BELOW.
ST CHAD'S LOCAL PASTORAL AREA
St. Ann’s, Cheadle Hulme
St. Chad’s, Cheadle
Christ Church, Heald Green
MASS TIMES
For a long time it has been apparent that it would be wise to make some changes to the times of Mass in our three parishes. As things are at the moment, with the three priests saying Mass at the same, or overlapping, times it would be impossible for them to stand in for each other in an emergency. A few slight changes in Mass times would make this possible. In days gone by there were always “spare” priests who could stand in. That is no longer the case and so the Bishop is keen that Masses should be spaced so that priests in the LPA can cover for each other when the need arises.
At present weekend Mass times in our three parishes are:
St. Ann’s Saturday: 6 pm Sunday: 8.30 and 10.30 am
St. Chad’s Saturday: 6 pm Sunday: 10 am
Christ Church Saturday: 6 pm Sunday: 9 and 11 am
In order to allow one priest to cover two parishes in an emergency a possible way forward would be for each parish to change one Mass time. For example:
St. Ann’s Saturday: 6 pm Sunday: 8.30 and 11 am
St. Chad’s Saturday: 5.15 pm Sunday: 10 am
Christ Church Saturday: 6.15 pm Sunday: 9 and 11 am
This arrangement is what is proposed by your LPA team. It is not necessarily the only solution, but it allows for emergency cover if required, with as little disruption as possible in each parish. Your priests would welcome your comments and suggestions.
For the time being we have three priests for three parishes. It is inevitable that in time there will be fewer priests, which may well dictate that further changes will have to be made.
While we cannot escape some slight changes in Mass times, we would welcome your views on what these changes should be. Meetings will be arranged shortly in each parish so that you can be fully consulted. When all has been agreed we would propose to implement the changes on the First Sunday of Advent: 28th November 2010.
The LPA Team
Fr. Chris, Liz Glynn
St. Ann’s
Fr. John, Tom Fanning
St. Chad’s
Fr. Paul, Joan Bleackley
Christ Church
Christine Robinson
Teacher
Christine Bodley
Catechist
As a result of the discussions in the three parishes the proposed changes were altered to the following:
St. Ann’s Saturday: 5.30 pm Sunday: 8.30 and 10.30 am
St. Chad’s Saturday: 6.00 pm Sunday: 9.45 am
Christ Church Saturday: 6.30 pm Sunday: 9.00 and 11.00 am
It seems very likely that these will be adopted as the regular Sunday Mass times as from the First Sunday of Advent; they simply need now to be approved by the Bishop.
