Adjustment to Mass Times
Mass times are often set for a given purpose, for example, one parish has Mass at 6.10pm because years ago the bus arrived at 6.05pm but even when bus times and routes changed the Mass continued at the odd time of 6.10pm. I am told that the reason for a 6.30pm Mass on Saturday and a 6pm Mass on Sunday is that originally there was also a 5.15pm Saturday Mass in the Hospital Chapel. But that stopped a few years ago so there is no reason why both evening Masses (Saturday & Sunday) shouldnt be at the same time: 6pm. Having the Mass a little earlier will also help if we have any gatherings after Mass, they can begin at 7pm. So the adjustment will be: Saturday Vigil Mass from 6.30pm to 6pm.
Similarly with the weekday evening Mass at 7.15pm, if we move this back by quarter of an hour, it will enable any parish meetings to get under way that little bit earlier and end that little bit earlier. So the adjustment will be: Weekday evening Mass and Devotions from 7.15pm to 7pm.
A change too, to Saturday morning; at present if there is only one priest, he has to dash out of Confessions at 12noon to begin Mass. Very occasionally this leaves penitents without the Sacrament or having to wait until Mass is over. Therefore, the adjustment will be: Saturday Mass from 12.00 to 10am. This will also enable us to have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, from the end of Saturday Morning Mass to the end of Confession (10.30am to 12.00) This will be a special prayer time when anyone will be able to call into church for some quality time with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
To round off our adjustments and add space for devotion to our Lady, the Mass on the first Saturday of each month will be a Novena Mass (10am) in honour of our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
As you can see from the reasons given, these adjustments are not just done on a whim. No doubt some will welcome these changes, many will be ambivalent and some will be inconvenienced by them. But I would encourage you to look upon them as an opportunity for thoughtful reflection. Perhaps you will consider attending Mass more regularly during the week, or of developing your relationship with our Lady.
The above will become effective in four weeks time: 7/8th February.