A consultation process has begun in Westport in County Mayo on the number of Masses celebrated weekly in St Mary’s Church, Drummin Church and Lecanvey Church. Each week about 26 Masses are celebrated across the three churches but with the reduction in priest numbers in recent times this number, which does not take account of funeral, wedding and school Masses, is likely to reduce quite dramatically early in 2010.
Archbishop Michael Neary (pictured) has pointed out on numerous occasions that the number of priests available to work in parishes across the diocese has declined dramatically in recent years.
In the Westport Cluster alone, which includes the parishes of Achill, Newport, Islandeady, Aghagower, Louisburgh, Clare Island and Westport, ten years ago there were 20 priests.
Today’s there are 12 and this is three less than the number in service on this date last year.
This latest reduction was brought about by the retirement of the Parish Priest of Newport, the retirement due to bad health of the curate in Louisburgh, and the transfer of another priest to the parish of Balla.
In each of these cases, no replacement priest was available for appointment.
Further reductions are expected in the future. It was in this in mind that local priests began a consultation process.
In a letter issued to all parishioners they said,”At present in the parish of Westport during a normal week, there are 26 scheduled Masses. This does not include funerals, weddings or school Masses. In addition to this, and because of the reduction in the number of priests in the area, there is a need to take a note of Mass schedules in neighbouring parishes too so that assistance may be given at short notice in emergency situations, and that cover may be provided during holiday times-particularly to those in one- priest parishes. “
“When something as important as the Mass is repeatedly celebrated - often a number of times each day - it can lead to a lessening of our appreciation of what the Mass is. It can easily become a matter of routine rather than the high point of our faith. It is of greatest importance that we guard against this for the sake both of the people who participate and the priest who presides.”
Parishioners have been asked to reflect on the contents of the letter and they will be invited to respond formally later in the month.
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