As we all know, the shortage of priests in our diocese makes it difficult to find coverage for Masses when the only priest in the parish is away. That is usually the case here on Thursday and Friday when I am away from the parish. It has been difficult to get priests who are able to cover on a regular basis and we do pay a stipend so it is not helping the budget.

In the past, Communion Services led by parishioners would be offered as a substitute for daily Mass. When this would happen, there was also a substantial decline in attendance as people either went elsewhere or did not attend Mass that day.

Originally, communion services could be held in the absence of a priest on a Sunday, especially in geographic areas where there simply were not enough priests to go around and tend to the needs of the entire area. That isn’t the case here in Leominster. The local parishes have Masses beginning at 6:30am through 8:30am.

Below is a list of the weekly Mass schedule in neighboring parishes:
 

St. Cecilia	Monday-Saturday, 6:30AM
St. Leo	Monday-Friday, 7:00AM Monday-Saturday, 8:30AM (Presentation Convent)
St. Anna	Monday-Wednesday, 7:30AM
Holy Family	Wednesday-Friday, 8:00AM