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Diocese of Gaylord Considers Closing Churches, Eliminating Weekend Masses
Posted: 5/20/2009


A shortage of Priests and church members is forcing the Diocese of Gaylord to make some tough choices.

A Task Force spent the past 2 1/2 years planning and getting input from parishioners, in part to put the diocese in a better financial position.

The Bishop now has to decide which recommendations, if any will be implemented.

Among those choices include possibly closing five of the 81 parishes of the diocese, including: St. Mary, Burt Lake; St. Ignatius, Good Hart; St. Monica, Afton; St. John Nepomucene, Praga; and St. Francis Solanus in Bay Shore.

In addition, the Task Force recommended an additional six parishes cease to have weekend Masses, but remain open for weekday masses, special liturgies or prayer services, education programs, outreach ministries and fellowship opportunities as long as a “sustainable faith community exists.” These parishes included: Jesus the Good Shepherd, Atlanta; St. Gabriel, Black River; St. James, Whittemore, St. Nicholas, Larks Lake; St. Rita-St. Joseph, Maple City; and St. Gertrude, Northport. Currently, there are no weekend Masses celebrated at St. Edward, Harrietta.

The Task Force also recommended that once the priest serving St. Wenceslaus, Gills Pier and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha in Peshawbestown retires, weekend Masses should no longer be celebrated in those two parishes.

9&10's Christina Vecchioni and photojournalist Aaron Smith have more details from the diocesan Director of Communications and spokesperson for the Task Force.

The link below will take you to the website for the Diocese of Gaylord.
You can find the Task Force's final report on the site's front page.
© 2009 by Heritage Broadcasting