Questions are a normal part of transition.  Here are a few questions we have been hearing from the parish community along with our answers.

Question: How long will we be under this new Pastoral Team Model?

Answer: The Bishop and the Jesuit community have agreed to this arrangement for one year. What happens after that is yet to be determined.


Question: Who’s planning the transition at Saint Patrick Catholic Church & School?

Answer: A Transition Planning team of 8 members has been assembled with representatives from the staff and various parish leadership groups. The team has met with advisors from the Vicar of Clergy Office, and will continue to meet in the coming months to plan Father Seamus’ farewell, the welcoming of the new priests, and to ensure the continuity of parish programs and ministries.


Question: What are the roles and responsibilities of the Pastoral Coordinator?

Answer: They are very similar to much of what Kevin Lovejoy has been doing the past four years as Parish Administrator. With the advice and counsel of the parish staff and the Pastoral, Finance, Stewardship Coun- cils and School Commissions, Kevin will oversee our day to day mission, ministry and community life, which includes liturgy and music, adult/religious education, youth ministry, social outreach, RCIA, the Sacraments, the parish school, pastoral care to the sick and homebound, and other services and programs of the parish.


Question: What services will the 3 Sacramental Priests be providing?

Answer: They will celebrate Weekend Masses, private and community Reconciliation services, Funerals, Weddings and Anointing of the Sick. The extent to which they will be able to celebrate Daily Mass and other special Masses, or provide support to our parish and school Faith Formation programs and ministry groups is still being discussed. We hope to have more details to share in the coming weeks.


Question:  What will happen to Father Seamus’ house?

Answer:  Since we don’t know how long we will be without a live in Pastor, we are not making any long-term plans for the house. We’re exploring options with the Archdiocese and other non-profit agencies. If you know of an organization or non-profit group that may need short-term housing please contact the parish center.


Question:  We heard Father Seamus might be staying through July?

Answer:  Father Seamus’ term as “Pastor” ends June 30.  Since our Jesuit team won’t be fully on board until the weekend of August 15 – 16, Father Seamus has graciously agreed to return during the weekends in July as a Visiting Priest to celebrate Masses and hear Confessions.  A Calendar of important dates for this summer is now available.


Question:  Will the three new Sacramental Priests have a set schedule?

Answer:  We don’t know yet.  We are in the process of discussing the specifics of their liturgical and sacramental roles and responsibilities at Saint Patrick Catholic Church & School. Stay tuned for more information on this topic.

Feel free to share your questions and comments in the new Glad You Asked Box in the vestibule of the Church.  Members of the Transition Team will also be in the Gathering Space after Masses and in the Parish Hall to answer your questions– they will be wearing name tags on green lanyards.  You can also send a message to our Facebook page or email us at [email protected]