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August 12, 2021
Dear Friends,
I wanted to update you on important developments regarding our shared life together at Lourdes and to invite you to upcoming parish events. I will follow up this communication with my annual letter to the parish, which will be mailed to parishioners and friends of Lourdes next month.
First, after consultation with parish leadership, including parish trustees, staff, and our parish council, I have decided that now is the appropriate time for a more permanent Mass schedule. Effective Saturday, September 11, the new weekend Mass schedule at Our Lady of Lourdes will be: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. (Confessions from 3:45-4:15 or by appointment); Sunday, 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The 10:30 a.m. Mass will continue to be livestreamed. We will monitor weekend Mass attendance in the next several months to see if a fourth weekend Mass is necessary. Daily Mass will continue, Tuesday – Friday at 12:05 p.m. At all Masses, we ask parishioners and friends to take appropriate steps to safely worship in a way that promotes the dignity of our Eucharistic liturgy and the public good.
There were several considerations that influenced this new weekend Mass schedule. Regarding the Saturday evening shift to 4:30, the trend for Catholic parishes has been to move anticipatory Masses to earlier times. Also, this new Mass time falls between the Basilica at 5 p.m. and St. Olaf at 4 p.m. The 4:30 Mass time allows attendees to stay in the neighborhood for dinner and still have enough time to get to a later event. Regarding the new Sunday morning Mass times, the 8:30 time was our Mass time prior to COVID and the 10:30 time is between our original 11 am Mass time and our COVID Mass time of 10 a.m. The 10:30 a.m. time allows folks to worship at a later Mass and still be on their way well before noon. We will update all parish communications and the sign on the front entrance of the church to reflect these changes.
Second, as I indicated in my July 1 letter to the parish, Our Lady of Lourdes has commenced a staff restructuring which will help the parish more strategically align our staff resources with our mission and priorities, while also availing ourselves of the talent and commitment of lay volunteers. I am pleased to announce that longtime parishioner Alexandra Bergmann has been hired as Communications and Ministry Associate. This is a new position at the parish. Alexandra will assist Julie Craven, Jacob Benda, and Carol Burns in their respective ministries. Alexandra has taught Spanish for years at the University of St. Thomas and will continue to do so, while also bringing her significant talents and lively faith to the Lourdes team. In addition, we will also hire a new office manager who will assist Mary Asp in the areas of administration and finance. If a parishioner or friend wishes to apply for this new position, please contact Mary in the parish office or apply online at the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Lastly, I call your attention to multiple upcoming events at the parish. This Sunday, we will write a new chapter in our parish story as we dedicate the new Ralph Strangis Memorial Pipe Organ. The dedication begins at 3 p.m., followed by a festive concert and reception in the courtyard. Archbishop Hebda will preside at the blessing and dedication. This fall, Lourdes will host small groups as we participate in the Archdiocesan Synod that Archbishop Hebda has called all Catholics to experience. On September 11, we will celebrate Mass for the nation and will honor those who lost their lives in the 9-11 attacks. A reception will follow in the courtyard. The 10:30 Mass on September 19 will be celebrated for all first responders in our community. Deacon Rip, who is a chaplain for the St. Paul Police Department, will preach. October 2nd will be the date for the blessing of animals in the morning and Lourdes-Fest after the 4:30 p.m. Mass. This will be an outdoor event accompanied by an Octoberfest theme and plenty of good food, drink, and music. All are welcome!
As always, please know of my prayers for and gratitude to you as we continue our journey of faith together. May Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, raise us up and assist us with her prayers and love.
Fr. Griffith