Linkage
Pope John XXIII and Christ the King
Pope John XXIII and Christ the King
A note from Father Zach
I would like to thank Daily Mass attendees at Christ the King and Pope John XXIII for their ideas and comments on the creation of a Daily Mass schedule. The Linkage Committee and I reviewed their feedback and have finalized the schedule for Daily Mass as well as the Sacrament of Reconciliation and holy days (with the exception of Christmas and Easter which will be decided at a later date).
As we move closer to our linkage date, I ask you to continue to pray for each other as we grow in our faith and as a faith community.
In 2017, the diocesan Office of Pastoral Planning decided that the parishes, Christ the King and Pope John XXIII, would create a linkage upon the retirement of one its pastors. In July 2018, Rev. James Fritzen retired as pastor of Christ the King and this June, Rev. Msgr. James T. O’Brien, will retire as pastor of Pope John XXIII. Rev. Zachary Miller will oversee both parishes upon Msgr. O’Brien’s retirement.
Linked parishes consist of two parishes working together to serve their faith communities while sharing one pastor. Linked parishes do as many things
cooperatively as possible, especially given the pastor is striving to serve two parishes. Linking involves:
1. Coordination of Mass times;
2. Increased responsibility of the laity for as many areas of mission as possible in order to reduce the burden on the priest;
3. Full cooperation between the parishes with joint committees and outreach programs.
Characteristics of linked parishes include:
* The parishes remain independent corporations and canonical entities.
* The parishes are separate communities of faith but are one faith community.
* According to Canon Law, linked parishes must have separate finance councils.
The purpose of a joint parish linkage committee is to discuss and finalize decisions that will impact the linkage between Christ the King and Pope John XXIII. The main agenda item at the January 7, 2019 meeting was to begin the discussion of proposed Mass schedules for the two parishes that will be implemented on June 3, 2019.
Christ the King
Rev. Zachary Miller
Brian Caswell
Claire Dana
Hal Henty
Laura McConnell
Pope John XXIII
Jacqueline Bressette
Don MacLaughlin
Larry Messina
What does a linkage mean for my parish? Are we remaining separate parishes? | Each parish will remain independent corporations with separate finance councils, and remain canonical entities that share one pastor. |
What happens to my donation envelope if I place it in the other parish’s collection basket? | Donation envelopes will go to the respective parish. Loose bills and change in the collection basket will remain at that parish. |
When will the schedule for Holy Days be decided? | The Holy Day scheduled will be addressed at a later time. |
When will the schedule for Daily Mass be decided? | Fr. Miller will meet with Daily Mass attendees at both parishes the week of March 12th to discuss Daily Mass schedules. |
What can I do to be a part of the linkage transition? | Pray for a successful linkage transition filled with grace, gratitude, and acceptance. Be supportive and open to the linkage process and the linkage itself. Engage with committee members with any questions or concerns, including Fr. Miller and Msgr. O’Brien. |