The Catholic Community of Northern Columbia County

As you probably know, the CCNCC will be changing our weekend mass schedule as of the weekend of August 1 and 2, 2026. The new times and locations will be announced shortly. Watch for a Constant Contact email, a posting on our website and the list in next weekend’s bulletin. We’ll also be sending our summer postcard which will include the list of the new mass schedule. The postcard should be received in the next few days or so. In the meantime, see below for a summary of the process and reasoning behind the changes. 

The process – over the last few months, there have been a number of meetings – Working Groups – with representatives from all three
parishes, Listening Sessions – with parishioners from all three churches – meetings with finance council members, advisors, council members, Trustees, informal meetings with other parishioners, staff and others from each of the parishes. While most people would prefer to keep the mass schedule as is, the majority of whom I discussed the upcoming changes with understand that changes need to be made and comprehend the reasons. One quote that was made that I think is very applicable and important is “Are we making these changes to win or to not lose?” In other words – are we trying to bring families and others back to church or are we trying not to lose the people who are already coming to church? Let’s work on bringing families and others back!

The reasons behind the changes:

There is no longer a need for four masses in English. If the schedule is structured properly, Family Faith Formation could be offered at all three churches on Sunday mornings, instead of just one church in the current schedule. 

There is a need for more time in between masses for Fr. Steve to meet with parishioners to chat, answer questions, to get to know people.

As previously stated, in parishes and networks, the mass schedule should be able to be offered by one priest. (Currently, with 4 masses in English and 1 in Spanish one priest cannot handle that schedule every week.) Therefore, there will be a reduction to three masses in English.

All of the above means that significant changes are needed by all three churches. All 4 current mass communities will be affected.
The only mass time that will not be affected is the 12:30 pm, Spanish mass and that is mainly because of the availability of
the Spanish speaking priests.

Please prayerfully consider the reasons for the upcoming revisions to the mass schedule and be open to the coming changes to each parish’s mass schedule. Lastly, let’s try it for 18 or so months and see if it is working. If not, we’ll re-evaluate and discuss any possible changes then.

Thank you for your openness and cooperation. Fr. Steve