St. Catherine of Siena

On March 22^nd we, the Clustering Committee, met to reach a decision about the Mass schedule.  We discussed the input received from parishioners through the Mass survey, paid attention to Mass attendance over the previous five years, considered the experience of other clustered parishes, and spent time in our own discussions sharing insights into each parish’s personality and traditions.  We then agreed on the following weekend Mass schedule.  The two parish Pastoral Councils have endorsed this decision; Fr. Rob and Fr. Mike are supportive of the new schedule. 

Beginning the weekend of June 26-27,
Mass times will be

Saturday 4:00 pm
at the Church of the Transfiguration
Saturday 5:30 pm
at St. Catherine of Siena
Sunday 8:45 am
at the Church of the Transfiguration
Sunday 10:45 am
at St. Catherine of Siena

We noted the following:

• This schedule involves a minimal (15 minute) time change for the two Sunday morning Masses with the highest attendance.
• As the times are not too different from the current schedule, it is less disruptive to parishioners in their current Mass attendance patterns.
• It is most equitable, since both parishes have to adjust their times and by the same amount of time.
• Time with the priest can occur prior to Mass (e.g., chatting, anointing) and afterwards.  There is a strong likelihood that the Pastor will be assisted by a retired priest, allowing this to happen. 
• Fellowship time for parishioners will continue; we can work to enhance/expand it.  Clustering provides an opportunity for people to expand their social circles to include the other parish community. 
• There will be one Pastor, two parishes, four weekend Mass time options.

The Clustering Committee acknowledges that this change will be hard, more so for some, particularly Mass goers at St. Catherine’s 8:15 am Mass and Transfiguration’s 11/11:30 am Mass.  Grief is normal, especially when it involves what we deeply love--our Eucharist and our parish community.  We are committed to working through any problems that arise to find solutions.  Please continue to seek out any Clustering Committee member for additional conversation or with questions.

view 14 page survey results here.

The Clustering Committee

Church of the Transfiguration

Fr. Mike Bausch (Pastor) - michael.bausch@dor.org

Rich DiMarco (Parish Pastoral Council) – rich.dimarco@admarsupply.com

Sue Gangemi (Parish Pastoral Council) - sc_gan@msn.com

Mike Goonan (Parish Pastoral Council Chair) - Michael_Goonan@URMC.Rochester.edu

Ann Smith (Parish Pastoral Council) - annsmithfishers@gmail.com

Mary Beth Sullivan (Parish Pastoral Council) – msulli6@rochester.rr.com

St. Catherine of Siena

Fr. Rob Bourcy (Pastor) – fr.rob.bourcy@dor.org

Denton Clark (Parish Pastoral Council) - dclark@netacc.net

Pam McInerney (Parish Staff) - pamela.mcinerney@dor.org

Jennifer Yates (Parish Pastoral Council Chair) - jennifer_l_yates@hotmail.com

Karen Zielinski (Parish Pastoral Council) - familyz4@rochester.rr.com

PASTOR APPOINTED

...for Church of the Transfiguration and St. Catherine of Siena...

This past Friday Bishop Salvatore Matano appointed Rev. Robert Scott Bourcy the Pastor for both St. Catherine & Church of the Transfiguration.

The official day of transition is Tuesday, June 29 at 6:00 PM.