Dear Parishioners,
I want to thank for you for your concern after I came down with COVID, I really appreciated it.  Both Fr. Richard and I came down with it at the same time and the night it hit me I really thought it was the end.  But here I am - thanks be to God - back in our wonderful community.  It’s good to be back!
The presentation and discussion about the possible merger with Cardinal O’Malley and the Presbyteral Council did not happen last week but will happen December 15th.  The package that is presented isn’t just my letter but it includes a very detailed financial report that covers the previous two fiscal years and is prepared by the Archdiocesan Financial Department.  These documents must be precise so that when the two parish accounts are combined into one there is no question as to where the financial assets went – they stay with the new parish.  This is an unwelcome delay but gives us the opportunity to continue to build up the Reading Catholic Community.  Below you will see a list of possible parish names that have been submitted.
POSSIBLE PARISH NAMES AS OF OCTOBER 18 - (more than one suggestion indicated in parentheses)

Dear Parishioners,
As I mentioned at last weekend’s Masses, I want to thank all involved for your honest feedback and concerns, while also expressing your love and loyalty to your parishes.
Most of the feedback was very positive, supporting the concept of merging our two parishes.  There were also some parishioners sharing feelings of abandonment, isolation, not being included, or not getting timely, or clear communications.  Though it was painful for those involved, including myself to feel and hear anger expressed by some, I listened. 
As your pastor, I acknowledge both the positive and perhaps not so positive feelings arising from when we may have come up short.  Allowing this pain to be expressed is the first step in a healing process.  Forgiveness and moving forward together must then follow.  Please know that I will continue to reflect on all the feedback provided and address it as appropriate in future plans and decisions for all our parishioners.  Getting wider participation, inclusion and leadership across our community is critical for our path ahead.
UPDATED INFORMATION: If Cardinal O’Malley approves my request for a merger, it will then go to the Presbyteral Council for a vote.  I will go to their meeting on October 20 to present this request and answer any questions they may have.  If they feel that they have enough information, they will vote on it.  The one thing that we can all start thinking about is a new patron for our new parish.
This has not been an easy decision for me or for you as we are stepping into the unknown.  Be not afraid:  we will not be alone in this.  We have each other and more importantly we will be walking with Jesus.  His call to his disciples 2,000 years ago is the same as it is to us today, “FOLLOW ME.”   At the back of both our churches is the beautiful Divine Mercy painting/icon.  Don’t just walk by it, pause and look at it and pray the words, “Jesus, I trust in you!”
God Bless you and let’s continue to pray for each other,
 
Fr. Steve Rock
 
 

9/18/2022
Dear Parishioners,
We are in the midst of a very exciting weekend with so much going on in the Reading Catholic community.  We have the outdoor Mass and picnic, which will be a lot of fun.  Our Faith and Fellowship team is also presenting this fall’s program for small groups, using the book, “My Catholic Faith” , please join us.  Our Pastoral Planning Team has worked very hard over the past year to develop our Pastoral Plan. This program is part of the Archdiocesan Disciples in Mission initiative and if we all embrace it,  the faith and Mission of the Church will be strengthened.  The Team’s work is finished and now we need volunteers to implement it, will you help us?
The sifting of parishioners input for the proposed merger of our parishes continues.  Last weekend members of our Parish Council and Finance Councils were at all the Masses listening to parishioners’ comments and answering questions.  We failed to do this at the 11:00 AM Mass as the listening session after the 10:00 AM Mass went long.  For the majority of parishioners, a merger seems be in the best interest of the Reading Catholic Community, however there is some fear and concern that we are not ready for this monumental change.  I would like to share a story of an encounter that I had two weeks ago in the parking lot after the 10:00 AM Mass:  a woman got out of her car to speak with me, and said, “I was married in this church 60 years ago and I love it, but I love the Mass more than anything else!  I will go to Mass wherever it is.  We must look to the future and not the past.”  I think she understands what is at stake.
In both of our churches we have a beautiful image of Divine Mercy with these words at the bottom:
“JESUS I TRUST IN YOU”
Sometimes I wonder if we ever look at those images of Jesus and pray, “Jesus, I trust in you”?  I’ve been reading a fascinating book, “The Adventure of Discipleship” and I would like to quote from it as I think it speaks to where we are:
“Because in my experience, especially young Christians today, many people lack an imaginative vision of the Christian life.  They reduce their faith to one of its parts:  to a set of beliefs, or to a moral code, or to attending religious services, and so on.  These are all essential, but they often lack the element of personal discipleship that the Gospels so clearly display.  Crucially, we often think about being a Christian primarily as something we do, something we choose, something that we arrange and put in order.  We place ourselves in the driver seat and we construct our life – and our understanding of God – according to our own ideas and preferences.  We forge our own religious identity in the same way that we select ingredients from a salad bar.
But this is entirely the wrong way around.  The life of a disciple begins when Jesus breaks in and calls.  We become apprenticed to him and learn from him what is true and good and right.  He takes us on a path we did not expect to traverse.  For sure, our choice is an essential part of this, but it is the choice of whether or not to follow Jesus on his terms.  Will we follow as Peter and Matthew did, or will we turn and walk away in sadness like the rich young man?”
God bless you and let’s continue to pray for each other.
Fr. Steve Rock
 
 

9/11/2022
Dear Parishioners,
It is hard to believe that Labor Day is behind us, and as we look forward, the Reading Catholic Community has a lot of things coming up this month.
The ongoing discussion about a possible merger of our two parishes continues, with this weekend - after all Masses - the opportunity to express your thoughts, opinions and ask questions.  The ongoing conversation will help in the discernment process.  Any questions that come up this weekend will be posted along with answers on the Merger page of our website..
One question asked, that bears an answer here is, “What is a Parish, civilly and spiritually?”
· Each parish is a separate legal entity which comes under the Archbishop of Boston Corporation Sole.  Each parish is registered with the State Department of Revenue as well as the Federal Government and has a Tax Exemption number.  If we are to merge, the Archdiocesan Legal Department will fill out the necessary paperwork to create a new Legal parish under a new saint’s name.
· As to what a parish is spiritually, I would like to direct you to our Merger page on the website for a great article, The Purpose of Catholic Parishes –  I encourage you to check it out.
https://ReadingCatholic.org/merger
Don’t forget the Outdoor Mass and cookout next Sunday at 10:30 AM at St. Athanasius Parish (reminder that there will not be a 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM Mass this day).  Last year we had a great turnout with 400 - 500 parishioners attending.  It was a true community event with many people volunteering their time and talent setting up, cooking, cleaning up and taking things down.  Kids’ games, picnic food, and community spirit made for a wonderful time.  PLEASE JOIN IN THE FUN!
 May God bless you and let’s continue to pray for each other,
 Fr. Steve Rock

9/4/2022
Dear Parishioners,
I hope you all have a great Labor Day Weekend!  It has certainly been a busy summer for the Reading Catholic Community as we have been talking and listening to comments about the proposed merger of our two parishes.  As we continue our discussions, there is good news on the potential merger!  I’d like to thank many of you for your continued positive thoughts and encouragement for what we are doing.  Your comments have been overwhelmingly positive and supportive.
We had a very successful Zoom session this past August 16th, with about 130 people tuning in and asking questions.  These questions have all been answered and are posted on the Merger webpage (https://ReadingCatholic.org/merger). The questions and comments from the Saint Athanasius merger meeting on August 17th have been answered and are also posted on the Merger webpage.  Next weekend you will all have another opportunity to ask questions and to make comments after all the Masses at both churches.  Bishop Mark O’Connell, Pastor of Saint Theresa in North Reading and our Regional Bishop, will be celebrating the 10:00AM Mass at Saint Athanasius church next Sunday, September 11.  bishop Mark will be available after Mass for the listening session.  I’m more than happy to meet with anyone who struggles with me or the Archdiocese concerning a potential merger.
One question that keeps coming up is, “How will the merger affect us”?  Last weekend at the Masses, I used this example: “Let’s just say that Cardinal O’Malley has approved the merger of Saint Agnes and Saint Athanasius parishes and it will go into effect next Friday at noon.  He also approved a new patron saint, Saint Umtyfrump.  Going forward, what this means is that next Saturday the 4:00 Mass will be celebrated at Saint Athanasius Church and on Sunday morning the 10:00 Mass will be celebrated at Saint Athanasius Church and Mass will be celebrated at 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 at Saint Agnes Church.  Weddings, Baptisms and funerals will continue to be held at St. Umptyfrump Parish in either St. Athanasius Church or St. Agnes Church.”
This is an open, collaborative process.  To ensure transparency we need to continue to talk and listen, in order for the facts to drive our path forward (not just feelings).  Keep your questions and comments coming!  There is so much potential in combining the talents of all our parishioners if we work together. Thoughts and ideas will abound when we combine the talents of both parishes into one, working together to build up Christ’s Church.  Open your hearts to where the Holy Spirit is leading us in 2022 – it could be awesome!
Let’s pray for each other,
Fr. Steve Rock
 
 

8/28/2022
Dear Parishioners,

The proposed merger of our two parishes has caused a lot of turmoil, which is understandable.  Our society has been going through some profound changes the last few years - COVID has made it worse - and it has affected our parishes.  With attendance down, our ability to be financially stable has become more precarious; this, combined with the shortage of priests, has caused the Church to ask us to look at what a parish is in a new way.  This is not easy.  Because we are people of faith with trust in the abundance of God’s love, we can face change - acknowledging that things do change and the reasons why change is needed.

A friend of mine sent me the following article, “It Ain’t Over Yet” by Alice Camille.  I think it helps us put things into perspective!  I hope you enjoy it.

Lately, giving up might seem a reasonable option.  Some days it feels like the only sane choice in a matrix of insanity.  The planets heating up causing flooding, fires, disease, and mass migration.  Wise global leadership is in short supply.  Greed appears to be the prevalent value.  Meanwhile, the bulk of us quiet our nerves with junk food and another trip to the dollar store.  It just doesn’t seem to be the collective will to make the changes necessary to survive!  We circle the drain and pretend it’s a merry-go-round.

Yet, all is not lost – not by a long shot.  We can hold fast to this funny Hebrews’ story about Abraham. He is the Father of Nations, we’re told but he earns this moniker when he’s too decrepit to be the father of anybody. This line always makes me laugh:  he was “one man, himself as good as dead.” Abraham’s a doddering old dude circling the drain when he encounters the God who promises to make him a wellspring of life.  And here’s the kicker: Abraham bought it.

In those hours when that giant sucking sound we hear could be human history going down the drain, we might find comfort in the idea of rickety old Abraham jump-starting a whole new era.  Simply by buying into hope!  One trusting person, as good as dead, is sufficient to turn the fate of the world on its axis. This time, will that person be you?”

God bless and let’s keep praying for each other.

Fr. Steve Rock

8/14/2022
Dear Parishioners,

As you know, Father Campo left last week for his new parish in Waltham and begins tomorrow.  As we say in the Navy, our wish for him is, “May You Have Fair Winds and Following Seas!”  As of right now our prospects of getting another priest are not good.  I have mentioned many times over the years that with the lack of vocations things will change and they have.  Fr. Ed is a retired priest who helps out when he can and Fr. Richard Oduor is a student who will only be with us for a few months and helps out as well.  So far I have been able to get help from other priests for some weekend and daily Masses but they are not always available.  As this picture shows, we are spread very thin here in Reading.  In this current situation, there have been many weeks over the years that, because of my responsibilities to the parishes, I did not take a day off.  Things will have to change.  With our understanding and flexibility, and with God’s help, I firmly believe that we will keep moving forward.

I am sure that there are a lot of “parking lot” conversations about the proposed merger; some are now calling it “Fr. Rock’s Merger!”  Though there may be some financial issues, at the core of the merger is UNITY:  until the two Reading parishes unite under one mind and one heart, we will continue to act in an “us versus them” mode.  Both parishes have great strengths and a merger is a way to blend these gifts and purposefully move from the past to an exciting new life filled with hope and promise.  If you are - or know of others - involved in “parking lot” conversations, I encourage you to share your thoughts with the entire Reading Catholic Community.  We have had a special email address open for several weeks now, specifically for this purpose.  Please send any comments or questions that you have about the merger to:  Merger@ReadingCatholic.org  As of last week, there have been only a handful of comments and very few questions.

If we look outside Reading, we will discover that many towns/cities have had multiple parishes that have merged into one parish with multiple worship sites:  Salem, Lynnfield, Billerica, Wilmington, Burlington, Malden, Medford and Somerville to mention a few.

To fully understand and comment on the possible merger do the following:
· Email your thoughts/concerns/questions to:  Merger@ReadingCatholic.org
· Attend the Zoom meeting this Tuesday (August 16th) at 7:00 PM with Sr. Pat Boyle and Fr. Paul Soper, Archdiocesan representatives. (Zoom link at top of page).
· September 10 and September 11 - stay after Masses to listen and ask questions

I believe that merging will help shape our future with Christ in very challenging times.  To be truly united in Christ sends a message to the community that Christ is our true King.  I know that this process is difficult but if we really pray for his help and guidance we will all find a way forward.  Let’s continue to keep praying for each other.

God bless,
Fr. Steve Rock

8/7/2022
Dear Parishioners,

As you know, Father Campo left last week for his new parish in Waltham and begins tomorrow.  As we say in the Navy, our wish for him is, “May You Have Fair Winds and Following Seas!”  As of right now our prospects of getting another priest are not good.  I have mentioned many times over the years that with the lack of vocations things will change and they have.  Fr. Ed is a retired priest who helps out when he can and Fr. Richard Oduor is a student who will only be with us for a few months and helps out as well.  So far I have been able to get help from other priests for some weekend and daily Masses but they are not always available.  As this picture shows, we are spread very thin here in Reading.  In this current situation, there have been many weeks over the years that, because of my responsibilities to the parishes, I did not take a day off.  Things will have to change.  With our understanding and flexibility, and with God’s help, I firmly believe that we will keep moving forward.

I am sure that there are a lot of “parking lot” conversations about the proposed merger; some are now calling it “Fr. Rock’s Merger!”  Though there may be some financial issues, at the core of the merger is UNITY:  until the two Reading parishes unite under one mind and one heart, we will continue to act in an “us versus them” mode.  Both parishes have great strengths and a merger is a way to blend these gifts and purposefully move from the past to an exciting new life filled with hope and promise.  If you are - or know of others - involved in “parking lot” conversations, I encourage you to share your thoughts with the entire Reading Catholic Community.  We have had a special email address open for several weeks now, specifically for this purpose.  Please send any comments or questions that you have about the merger to:  Merger@ReadingCatholic.org  As of last week, there have been only a handful of comments and very few questions.

If we look outside Reading, we will discover that many towns/cities have had multiple parishes that have merged into one parish with multiple worship sites:  Salem, Lynnfield, Billerica, Wilmington, Burlington, Malden, Medford and Somerville to mention a few.

To fully understand and comment on the possible merger do the following:
· Email your thoughts/concerns/questions to:  Merger@ReadingCatholic.org
· Attend the Zoom meeting this Tuesday (August 16th) at 7:00 PM with Sr. Pat Boyle and Fr. Paul Soper, Archdiocesan representatives. (Zoom link at top of page).
· September 10 and September 11 - stay after Masses to listen and ask questions

I believe that merging will help shape our future with Christ in very challenging times.  To be truly united in Christ sends a message to the community that Christ is our true King.  I know that this process is difficult but if we really pray for his help and guidance we will all find a way forward.  Let’s continue to keep praying for each other.

God bless,
Fr. Steve Rock

7/31/2022
 

Dear Parishioners,

When we began the collaboration, we didn’t know we would be hit first with COVID-19, and then enduring the impacts of COVID on attendance, finances, and volunteerism.  As we face the challenges and opportunities in front of us, Cardinal Sean has asked pastors in Collaboratives to open conversations in their parishes about the possibility of merging.  In this regard, we have come a long way but are not fully unified. To discuss the possible merging of our parishes we had a joint meeting with the Parish Council, Finance Councils, Staff, and representatives from the Archdiocese to discuss this possibility.  We listened to what the representatives from the Archdiocese had to say and then they listened to our comments and answered our questions.  I would say that a clear majority were in favor of merging and encouraged listening to the parishioners.
We need to ask ourselves “WHERE IS THE SPIRIT LEADING US?”  If we continue to look to the past, we stay in the past.  There is fear with what is going to happen to “my church, my parish,” but we forget it is Jesus’ Church – what does He want us to do going forward in His name and Spirit?
What would a merger look like and feel like?  Truthfully, not much different than what the Collaborative looks like today.  Instead of the of two parishes – “us and them”, we become a new parish of “we,” with two worship sites and shared talents to move us forward.  A merger is a way for the Reading Catholic community to gently and purposefully move from the past to an exciting new life filled with hope and promise.
Over the next few weeks we hope to accomplish the following:

1. Information  Broadly inform Parishioners via Constant Contact email, Masses, bulletin notices, and website updates (https://ReadingCatholic.org/merger)

2. Create Opportunities for Feedback, Answer Questions from Parishioners
   - Website updates
   - Email comments and questions to:  Merger@readingcatholic.org
   - Zoom Session will be held on August 16, 7:00 PM
   - Presentations after weekend Masses will be held in late August

I believe that merging will help shape our future with Christ in very challenging times.  In the Gospel of John, Jesus was praying “so they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you and me, that they may be brought to perfection as one.”  St. Paul struggled with division within the Corinthian Community which was tearing them apart.  There is nothing new with our “issues.”  The beauty of Paul’s Letter is he not only challenged them, but offered them a way forward…unity in Christ, for we are the “One Body of Christ.”
Finally, I want to thank you for your presence in our community.  Each person contributes in their unique way to be the “Body of Christ” to the wider community.  Reading is blessed!  Let’s spend some time in the days ahead in praying for the Holy Spirit to discern God’s will in growing as a stronger community of faith, building up the Kingdom of God for future generations.

God bless,

Fr. Steve Rock

7/24/2022
Dear Parishioners,

I would like to share what I believe is positive news about shaping our collective future - with our faith and with each other - in the spirit of Christ and for positive growth in challenging times!

Two short weeks ago I asked for a joint meeting of our Parish and Financial Councils, Collaborative Staff, and our Archdiocesan experts on moving forward, Fr. Paul Soper and Sister Pat Boyle.  I welcomed everyone and spoke about the need for a possible merger.  I quoted the New Testament, John 17 where Jesus was praying “so they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you and me, they may be brought to perfection as one.”  I also mentioned St. Paul’s struggles with divisions within the Corinthian Community which were tearing them apart.  There is nothing new with our “issues”  though they certainly challenge us.  The beauty of Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians is that he not only challenged them, but offered them a way forward:  unity in Christ.  For we are the One Body of Christ, “baptized into one body by the same spirit, we all have been given the one spirit to drink.” 

Do we ever ask ourselves “WHERE IS THE SPIRIT LEADING US?”   We have come a long way in 4 years yet we’ve not gotten any closer together.  If we continue to look to the past, we stay in the past and hope that things turn around.  I am afraid that this will not happen soon, if ever.

Pre-COVID we had  approximately 1,300 people attending weekend Masses.  Now we have about 750.  Fear drives a lot of what we do or do not do. There is fear with “what’s going to happen to my church, my Parish,” but we forget it is Jesus’ Church:  what is it that He wants us to do so that we move forward in His name and spirit?

Our Archdiocesan experts spoke about what merging means:  merging our two parishes into one new parish with a new name and with two worship sites, St. Agnes Church and St. Athanasius Church.  They then listened to any concerns and answered our questions.  One thing they stressed was this was not about closing either church.  I think almost everyone present spoke - and shared their opinions which ranged from keeping ‘status quo’ to merging.  Two comments jumped out at me:  one from a young father who wants a dynamic parish with a bright future for his family and the other who used a marriage analogy.  She said, “We’ve been engaged for 4 years - and it’s time we got married  and raise our two children, Athanasius and Agnes.”

A merger is a way for the Reading Catholic community to gently and purposefully move from the past to an exciting new life filled with hope and promise.

Over the next few weeks I will communicate more to you about a possible merger and invite you to share your concerns.  We have a special email address specifically for sending your thoughts about this promising possibility:  Merger@ReadingCatholic.org

God bless and let’s continue to pray for each other.

Fr. Steve Rock