As you can see, almost all the wall tiles in the sanctuary have been removed.  I signed the contract for the sound system today.  We're making great progress in sprucing up the chapel.

     A slight majority voted for a Sunday Mass schedule of 4 PM, 8 AM, 10 AM, and 12 PM.  A strong minority voted for two Saturday evening Masses and two Sunday morning Masses.  If we go with 2 & 2, then the vast majority voted for 6 PM instead of 7 PM.  A strong majority voted for 9 AM instead of 9:15 AM.

     It's the commentary that I found very helpful and interesting.  Having a Mass schedule different from St. Luke's and SEAS seems pretty important.  Even though the 6 PM Mass is lightly attended, it fills a niche.

     Several people really like having Mass at 8 AM on Sunday.  Most who said so didn't give reasons.  One person said that having 8 AM and 12 PM fit better with their sports schedules.  A few people suggest 8 AM and 11 AM on Sunday.

     I also discussed the Sunday Mass schedule with priests in the Northern Ocean County Deanery.  They reminded me of the study that Terry Ginther, our diocesan chancellor, did.  She has recommended choosing the number of Masses based on Mass attendance and available seating.

     So, I'm 75% leaning toward 4 PM, 6 PM, 9 AM, and 11 AM.  But I've got two surprising ideas I'd like your feedback on.

     I calculated the number of available seats in our church and the church hall.  Allowing for 24 inches per person (which is higher than the usual 18 or 22 inches), we have 462 seats for Mass attendees in the church.  We have 115 chairs set-up in the church hall.  That's a total of 577 seats.  We could add chairs or squeeze people into 22 inches to increase seating.  Throughout the last year, the only times that ushers needed to help people find seats were when we went above 60% seating capacity (346).  We've been able to find seats for everyone even up to 421 which is less than 75% capacity.

     We could stop using the church hall for Mass overflow.  People can find seats fairly easily up to 60% capacity which is 277 for only the church.

     For all the Sunday Masses and holy days of obligation throughout the whole year, we could fit everyone into two Masses except for Palm Sunday and Easter.  On those two days, we still could squeeze everyone into two Masses by adding chairs.

     Based on experience, we are comfortable up to 60% capacity.  Therefore, three Sunday Masses would be comfortable for us.  So, I have two more poll questions and would appreciate feedback with reasons.

     I'm inclined to move us from five to four Sunday Masses, but I wanted to let you know that we'd be comfortable with three Sunday Masses.

     As for using the church hall for overflow, I do want to hear commentary.  We could also do a little experiment.  We had planned to make the church hall available for seating during the church hall renovation.  But we could seat everyone in the church while construction is happening.  One big reason that people sit in the church hall is because of proximity to the bathrooms.  Well, those bathrooms won't be available during construction.

     The other surprising idea based on your feedback is having two Sunday morning Masses at 8 AM and 11 AM.  At first glance, I thought that was a bad idea.  Most people who currently attend the 10 AM and 12 PM Masses would choose the 11 AM Mass resulting in about 400 to 550 people.  Our musicians doing both Masses would have a large gap in-between.  St. Luke's has 7:30 AM and SEAS has 8 AM.

     However, I then thought we would have more time after the 8 AM Mass for refreshments.  We could even do adult faith formation, town hall type discussions, choir rehearsals, etc.  We could even do baptisms at 9:30 AM instead of 12:15 PM.  Each Sunday of the month could have a different activity.  Baptisms could be on the 1st and 3rd Sundays.  Refreshments could be on the 2nd Sunday.  Adult faith formation or town hall discussions could be on the 4th Sunday.  Well, you get the idea.

    So, I have another poll question but am more interested in commentary.  I'm inclined to do 9 AM and 11 AM, but I'm open to new and surprising ideas for our Sunday Mass schedule.

     Bishop O'Connell invites us to answer the call of Pope Francis to pray for the upcoming Synod on Synodality.  In particular, they call for a day of prayer on Wednesday, May 31st, the feast of the Visitation.  To learn more, visit https://dioceseoftrenton.org/xvi-synod.

1)  For Fr. George as he celebrates 66 years of priesthood (yesterday) and 94 years since birth (5/31).

2)  For Msgr. Rusconi as he continues to help us tremendously here at St. John's.

3)  That the Synod on Synodality will be a time for the Church on Earth to become more faithful to the Lord.

4)  For all the construction workers who are and will be working on campus.

5)  That we might all be more open to the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.

God love you,

Fr. Jim