Dear Parishioners of the Windsor Heritage Catholic Family of Parishes,
On 29 April of this year, Bishop Fabbro issued a directive to all of the Priests of the Diocese of London regarding the taking of multiple Mass intentions for celebrations of the Eucharist. This directive aims to accomplish two things: first, it seeks to address the problem of a growing number of uncelebrated Mass intentions, when there are fewer daily Masses in each Family of Parishes. Secondly, the policy seeks to standardize the practices regarding Mass intentions throughout the Diocese.
There are several aspects of this directive which will apply to our Family of Parishes going forward. The first is that parishes are now allowed to accept a maximum of six intentions per daily Mass. The second is that all Masses for Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation (including Saturday Vigil Masses) are to be offered for the people of the Parish or Catholic Community. This means that according to the directive, the practice of accepting personal intentions for weekend Masses is no longer allowed.
We recognize that for this calendar year, there are many intentions that have already been requested for weekend Masses. We will honour all the requested weekend Mass intentions for the rest of the year. However, effective immediately, we will no longer book any new intentions for weekend Masses.
As of August 1, we will expand the Mass intention schedule, and allow for six intentions to be celebrated at each weekday Mass.Please note that if you already have an intention scheduled, you will not be able to change the date once the additional intentions are opened up. These slots will be available for new Mass intentions only.
We also want to take this opportunity to remind you that the money collected for Mass intentions does not remain in the Parish. Per the directive, the Priest retains one stipend for himself. The rest are to be forwarded to the Diocese at regular intervals to be used for a purpose determined by the Bishop. Currently, this money goes into the “Care of Priests Fund,” which pays for the cost of care and salary and room and board for priests incardinated in the Diocese of London that become ill, whether on a short or long-term basis.
We know that these changes made by our Bishop represent a major change from our current practice regarding Mass intentions. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to implement this Diocesan directive.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Steven Huber, CSB
Administrator of Spiritual Affairs
Deacon Paul Bezaire
Administrator of Temporal Affairs