Parish Adjustments

Dear Parishioners,

I want to keep you informed on adjustments that will have to be made in schedules etc… due to this now being a one priest parish.

For the immediate future, I will be the only priest assigned to Saints Peter and Paul Parish. Fr. McGowan is an Augustinian and is assigned by the Augustinian Community at the Monastery at Villanova. Fr. McGowan has been so helpful when able, but he has his own responsibilities in Heading the Monastery.

With two daily Masses, funerals, and Mass at the local senior facilities, this is not sustainable for one priest. Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Friday, January 26 will be the last day 6:30 AM Mass will be celebrated. All intentions for the 6:30 Masses from January 29 onward will be added to the 8:30 AM daily Mass unless this is unacceptable to you. In that case, please call the office for a refund of the stipend.

Also with only one priest available, I ask that if you are entering the hospital and know it in advance, please approach the priest celebrant before or after Mass to receive the Sacrament of the Sick. If you can not attend Mass, call in advance of entering the hospital and if available, I will visit you at home.

If someone is brought to hospital in an emergency, or if someone in the hospital wishes to see a priest, please notify the nurse’s station and they will contact the priest on call.

If someone is seriously ill at home, please contact the parish office early on and I will be happy to arrange a visit with the Sacraments. Please do not wait until the last moment to call because with only one priest here, chances are I will not be available in an emergency.

These are adjustments I am sorry to have to introduce, but we need to make things such that one priest can meet the needs of the people as best as possible. If things change in the future, then things can be re-visited.

Please pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

God bless us all!
Fr. Citino