St. Gregory's of Sitka
 
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St. Gregory Nazianzen Catholic Church

PO Box 495
Sitka, Alaska 99835
 
Located: 605 Lincoln Street
    Entrance via Etolin Street
Phone: (907) 747-8371
Fax: (907) 747-8401

Staff

Parochial Administrator:
 
Fr. Scott Settimo, OCDS
(907) 747-8371
 
Priest in Residence (Retired):
  
Fr. Peter Gorges
(907) 738-8371
 
Religious Education:
 
Anne Morris 
(907) 747-6997
 

Notices & Information

QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE & ACTION:
 
 St Gregory Nazianzen Parish
Responses to Spring 2009 Questionnaire

and

actions taken/contemplated in consideration of questionnaire responses

11 July 2009

1. Liturgy

a. Time of Vigil Mass:

i. 5 PM: 76%

ii. 7 PM: 24%

Considering the clear majority desiring the earlier Mass, while taking into account the rather different schedule of many during the summer, the Vigil Mass time will be changed to 5 PM, beginning sometime in September, while maintaining the present time as a "summer schedule."

b. Extraordinary Form of the Mass:

i. interested: 29 %

ii. not interested: 71 %

Over the past 45 years or so, several Sitka families and individuals left the Church over perceived abuses in the liturgy and for similar reasons relating to the way in which Vatican Council II was being received and implemented. In the words of one, "This didn’t seem pleasing to God."These "traditional" Catholics instead relied upon the sacramental services of priests of the Society of St Pius X (SSPX), who, over time, became available at increasingly infrequent intervals. Now, in the third generation of estrangement and with children and grandchildren not having received the sacraments of initiation they are reaching out to the Church, seeking the sacraments and, particularly, the celebration of the Holy Mass according to the (1962) Missal of Pope John XXIII (known as the "Tridentine Mass.") This matter came to my attention several months ago when one such woman approached me for confirmation for herself and baptism for her two children.

According to God’s good providence this happens in the wake of Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum, which now permits any parish priest fit to do so, upon receiving a request from his parishioners to celebrate the Mass according to the 1962 Missal (know known as the "Extraordinary Form" of the Mass) to do so.

The earnest request of these traditional Catholics is alone sufficient to implement this Mass at St Gregory’s. Beyond this, however, I have queried the parish at large (as indicated above), finding almost a third of our existing membership interested in the Mass, and have consulted with Bishop Burns and the Pastoral Council.

Accordingly, plans are being made to introduce the Extraordinary Form of the Mass here as early as next month.

2. Parish ministries (percentage of total respondents indicating an interest)

a. Liturgy and Spiritual Life: 22%. This committee has been formed and will meet for the second time later this month.

b. Charity, Justice, and Peace: 16%. This committee has been formed and has met twice.

c. Christian Formation: 14%. This committee has not been formed; a decision pends as to whether it is necessary or feasible, given the number of parishioners available.

d. Stewardship: 20%. The Pastoral Council and I have determined that a "Stewardship Committee" possibly looks better on paper than in action, due to the wide scope of its purview. It seems better to have a "facilities and maintenance" group available for repairs and improvements to church property.

e. Evangelization: 0%. No one wants to form a committee to spread the Gospel. Of course! This is everyone’s responsibility!

f. Hospitality: 22%. Since its inaugural meeting this committee has operated magnificently, hosting or coordinating parish events on a nearly monthly basis and assisting as needed otherwise (e.g., funerals).

N.B. The Catholic Youth Outreach Committee had already been formed an in action prior to this questionnaire.

3. Christian Charity (percentage of total respondents indicating an interest)

a. Yes: 57%

b. No: 4%

Everyone who responded to this question as to the need for St Gregory’s involvement in an outreach to the less fortunate was in favor, except for two people, a married couple.

4. Other matters of importance: spread word re Catholic radio, TV, etc.; provide alternatives to abortion; need more parish community activities; parish web site; parish "yard sale"; doing good job!; move 11 AM Mass to 5:30

REGARDING THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION:

  • Due to the H1N1 virus Bishop Burns has directed that the optional practice of receiving Holy Communion under both species be discontinued for an indeterminate time. The Holy Eucharist will therefore be distributed only under the form of the Body of Christ, while distribution of the Precious Blood to the faithful will be suspended.

  • Because the practice of joining the communion procession to receive a blessing has come under review by the Vatican we are no longer encouraging the faithful who are not intending to or disposed for receiving the Holy Eucharist to do so. Please understand, however, that this is a request at this point and certainly should not prevent families with young children from bringing them forward when they themselves receive Communion. For a fuller explanation of the Vatican's reservations concerning this matter go to http://www.zenit.org/article-25463?l=english.

HAVING A MASS OFFERED for someone, living or deceased, brings to bear upon the intention the infinite merit of Christ’s own sacrifice. Any priest may accept a stipend (nominal donation, usually in the $10-20 range) as an obligation to offer a Mass for a particular intention.

If you would like at Mass offered here at St Gregory’s, if at all possible, please:

  • make your request in writing (preferably using the envelopes provided),
  • at least a week in advance,
  • specifying whether the person is living or deceased, and
  • the date (if you have a preference) that you wish the Mass to be offered.

Please note that:

  • Fr Scott’s practice is to use stipends received for aid to the poor; and
  • it is not required for the priest to vocalize the intention during Mass.

In addition, please be aware that some monks and monasteries are very reliant upon stipends for their livelihood. Fr Scott recommends:

Father Arsenius (hermit of the Diocese of Baker, Oregon):

c/o Annunciation Hermitage / 146640 Hwy 97 / La Pine, OR 97739-9127

Any of the Trappist abbeys in the U.S. (Make check out to “Trappist Abbey”):

c/o St Joseph’s Abbey / 167 N. Spencer Rd. / Spencer, MA 01562-1233 
LINKS:
 
St Gianna Beretta Molla (mentioned in Homily of Sixth Sunday of Easter): http://www.saintgianna.org/