06/09/2026
REMINDER OF NEW MASS SCHEDULE BEGINNING JULY 4, 2026
One of the last things that a Pastor wants to do is change a parish’s Mass schedule. For many people, a particular Mass time is connected to years of habit, family routine, friendships, and deep spiritual comfort. We understand that some parishioners may feel uneasy, confused, or disappointed by this upcoming change.
Because of that reality, we want to explain not only what is changing, but why it is changing. Our hope is that this FAQ will help answer questions honestly, clearly, and pastorally as we move forward together as one POTHE family. These changes are not being made lightly. They have been made prayerfully, carefully, and with the long-term good of our entire parish in mind.
The transition in Father Peter’s ministry touches every single one of us, clergy and parishioners alike. It reminds us that parish life is something we share together. When one part changes, the whole body feels it.
And so, in different ways, each of us is being asked to make a small sacrifice for the good of our parish. That may not be easy. But it is also an opportunity to grow in unity, in generosity, and in our commitment to one another in Christ.
For many years, our parish has been blessed to have three priests assigned to offer weekend Masses at our churches, including the faithful ministry of Father Peter Kaseta who at 85 years old has generously served our parish for over sixteen years. This coming July, Father Peter’s status is changing, and he will no longer be a part of our parish’s weekend Mass rotation. That will leave the weekend Masses to two priests, Father Cartwright and Father Joseph, and so we are announcing today a new Mass schedule for our parish that will go into effect the weekend of July fourth and fifth.
Father Cartwright and Father Joseph have generously agreed to offer four Masses every weekend. This is the maximum number of Masses a priest is allowed to offer, and it is a heavy workload.
The new upcoming Mass schedule was decided in collaboration between Father Cartwright, Father Joseph, our parish ministry directors, and the chairpersons of our Pastoral and Finance Councils. Many factors were taken into consideration such as offering varied Mass times for parishioners’ convenience, travel time between churches, priests being able to spend time with parishioners after Mass, our monthly FIRE family faith formation Mass, and the quality of life for our priests, given such a heavy weekend workload.
Given this reality, many of us will be impacted by these changes and will be called upon to sacrifice a level of convenience and routine. Our new parish weekend Mass schedule, beginning the weekend of July 4th and 5th will be:
Saturday anticipatory Masses:
4 PM at Holy Martyrs
4 PM at St. Gregory the Great
Sunday Masses of the Day:
7:30 AM at Holy Martyrs
8:00 AM at St. Gregory the Great
9:00 AM at Holy Martyrs
10:30 AM at St. Jude
11:00 AM at Sacred Heart
5:00 PM at Sacred Heart*
*(silent/ad orientem; chanted on the last Sunday of the month beginning in September 2026)
We know that Mass schedule changes are sensitive. Please know that deciding on this new schedule was not taken lightly. We understand that parishioners don’t just attend a Mass time, they form spiritual habits, routines, friendships, and emotional connections to their fellow parishioners around a Mass time and a church. This new Mass schedule was designed so that if a certain former Mass time was preferred, there would be another one in proximity. Even so, it is okay for this to feel difficult. Change can be painful even when there are good reasons for it.
Father Cartwright, Father Joseph, and other leaders in our parish will address any questions with patience, charity, and a listening ear. You may feel sadness over losing a familiar routine. These feelings will be met with understanding, while also keeping the good of the whole parish in view.
Mass attendance across our parish has been increasing over the past few years, thanks be to God, and we believe that this new Mass schedule best accommodates all the various needs of our parishioners, musicians, ministries, and clergy, and will allow us to continue to grow as a parish both in celebration and in faithfulness. Fewer weekend Masses will also mean fuller churches, which will enhance our worship and participation.
This new weekend Mass schedule is rooted in a serious desire to care for parishioners, to strengthen the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, to preserve priestly health, and to position our parish well for the future. Please remember that we are held together by Jesus Christ, who gathers us at His altar not by the convenience of a specific Mass time.
And wherever and whenever we attend Holy Mass in our parish, we remain one family in Him.
Also, you will be happy to know that Father Peter will be staying in Maine, and he has an open invitation to concelebrate any Mass in our parish of his choosing at any time. And in recognition of Father Peter’s sixteen years of faithful service to us, we will soon be announcing a date and time for a celebration to honor him in gratitude.
Please keep Father Peter, Father Cartwright, and Father Joseph in your prayers in a special way in these weeks ahead. We ask for your patience and charity as we adjust together. May we surrender this change to the Lord, who unites us at His altar and keeps us one in Him in the Most Holy Eucharist. May God bless you and continue to bless our parish.
For more information including FAQs and Fr. Cartwright's announcement video, visit our website: https://pothe.org/new-mass-schedule
