On March 16, 2020, the Archdiocese of Louisville announced it was suspending in-person liturgy because of the COVID pandemic. It would be over two months before public liturgy was permitted. Here in our two parishes, I made the decision to begin “broadcasting” the liturgy beginning the next day.
When in-person worship returned with capacity restrictions, there was very little attendance at weekday liturgy. By the time we returned to in-person worship, we had reliable livestream equipment in both churches and continued, as we do even now, daily live broadcasting. Even after the end of pandemic, attendance at weekday liturgy continued to be much smaller than prior to the pandemic.
St. Brigid and St. James have offered weekday liturgies on Monday through Friday for as long as anyone can remember. Once the shortage of clergy became more pronounced and attendance at weekday liturgy was significantly smaller, many parishes reduced the number of weekday Masses. We continued to offer Mass on weekdays at both churches. This past year, it was impossible to find priests to cover the times when either Fr. Jim or I were unavailable due to prior commitments, retreat, vacation, illness, or inclement weather.
Weekday Mass does not involve only a priest. The church must be opened half an hour in advance by a sacristan who tends to other duties to prepare for the Mass. An instituted lector must be present to proclaim the first reading, responsorial psalm, and general intercessions. At least one extra communion minister is necessary to offer both the paten and the chalice. Despite repeated requests for reliable and regular help, few have stepped forward. Some of our existing sacristans. lectors, and communion ministers are stepping down due to age and infirmity. I am very grateful for their many years of faithful service, even during the pandemic.
We will most likely eliminate the 8:30 am Mass at St. James on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. While we hope to offer the 12 noon Mass every weekday at St. Brigid, we will need help before we can reliably offer the Monday Mass. While I am reluctant to break with a long tradition of daily liturgy, I am responsible for the good stewardship of our existing clergy and lay ministry resources. We will announce the reduced schedule very soon. If you are interested in helping us as sacristan, lector, or communion minister at weekday Mass, please contact Patsy Bourke, our Worship Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please prayerfully consider how you might incorporate Daily Mass into your spiritual life.
