All Things New Planning Process – Update
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ACC Weekend Mass Time Changes
Just a reminder that as part of the approved plan for One in Christ in the All Things New process, our ACC weekend Mass times will change the first weekend of July and going forward. Bishop Patrick has asked that each assigned priest to an ACC have no more than three regularly scheduled Masses per weekend. Weddings, funerals, and other occasional celebrations are not included in the three-Mass rule. The new schedule is the product of surveying the members of the parishes and reflects the majority of the input we received, along with allowing more travel time and time to socialize for the clergy between Masses on Sunday. Everyone will be changing at least a little, and while this new schedule may take a period of adjustment and cause inconvenience for some, that is balanced with the incomparable gift of the Eucharist and that we are able to celebrate it in all four of our churches regularly.
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The new schedule as of July 4-5 will be:
Saturday
4:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier (confessions at 3:00 p.m.)
5:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart (confessions at 3:30 p.m.)
Sunday
8:00 a.m. at Annunciation (with confessions at 7:30 a.m.)
8:30 a.m. at St. Stephen (confessions at 8:00 a.m.)
10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart
10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier
Weekday
Mass schedules are still in development but will likely remain the same as currently.
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June 24, 2026 -- Update on All Things New for One in Christ
We are awaiting our decrees for the mergers of Annunciation with Sacred Heart and of St. Stephen with St. Francis Xavier. Having reviewed four decrees for other ACCs, I have a rough picture of what ours is likely to include:
- the decree of the actual merger with the canonical and pastoral rationale that prompts Bishop Neary to make the decision - the designation of primary and partner churches - guidance on managing finances with restricted funds set aside for the legitimate needs of each site and its programs without compromising operations - guidance on cemetery oversight and financing - the weekend Mass schedule - other ACC-specific stipulations on protecting endowments, donor intent, customary events, and the like - the automatic transfer of membership to the two new parishes, with allowances for those who choose to join other parishes outside the ACC - directions on appealing the decree or parts of the decree (within 10 working days of the date of the decree) to the Bishop and, if a resolution cannot be reached, to the Vatican in Rome. As noted previously, the canonical decree merging the parishes under Church law will come first, perhaps by the end of May or early June. The merger of the civil corporations of the parishes will take longer, and we are targeting July 1, 2027 to complete that portion. So the next year will be a little awkward at times, sorting between what is canonical and what is civil - that is, what has happened immediately after the decree and what needs to be completed over time. We apologize if it seems not much has been reported lately, but this is essentially because we are still waiting for the decrees, while doing some preparatory work where we can (discussions about our faith formation programs, our financial procedures, and our ACC Council's structure thus far). We will keep you informed as developments occur. We do anticipate a smooth transition and an even richer life of faith, hope, and charity in our ACC as we continue to become One in Christ.
Thanks to all of you who participated in the Town Hall meetings in August and submitted questions, ideas, and concerns. Our ACC Planning Committee will be meeting in September to prayerfully review the input you have provided and begin to draft a plan in view of the December 31 deadline. When we have a draft prepared, we will be sharing it with you for further input. Please keep this process sincerely in your prayers, that together we may hear and follow the voice of the Holy Spirit.
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Just a reminder that resources related to the All Things New Planning Process are available at https://stcdio.org/all-thingsnew/ (or scan the QR code), including the Introductory Guidebook being used by the committee. Copies of this guidebook are also available in your parish office.
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Word & Communion at SFX
Word & Communion at St. Francis Xavier going forward.
From Flocknote dated July 3, 2025
Fr. Tom and I arrived as pastors of the newly formed One in Christ Area Catholic Communities in July 2020, amidst masks and reservations. (Let’s pray that was a once in a lifetime experience) Our parishes have worked together in several areas, including the rotating of Mass presiders on weekends. Currently the All Things Are New committee is beginning to work on future plans for our parishes. A next step for our parishes (Four unique traditions) is to see us as one parish with four worship sites. In our One in Christ Parishes there are usually two weekday Masses daily (Monday has only one Mass). With all our parishes in close proximity, it doesn’t make sense to offer Word and Communion services at St. Francis Xavier when there is not a weekday day Mass. We encourage you to attend a weekday Mass at one of the other parishes, when Mass is not being offered at St. Francis Xavier. For the time being, the Monday morning Word and Communion service will continue, since it has a long history. In the Catechism, number 1324, we read, “The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life." The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” As such, it is important to root our spiritual lives in the graces which flow from the Mass. Word and Communion services are to be used when the faithful do not have reasonable access to daily Eucharist.”