O Father where art thou? How Catholics are coping without resident priests

Catholic New Times, June 6, 2004

CHICAGO -- "Priestless parishes" now account for 3,000 Catholic churches in the United States--16 per cent of parishes. Even though they function without a resident priest, many of these parishes are high on community, volunteer participation, and competent, professional lay leadership, reports Renee LeReau in the June issue of U.S. Catholic magazine.

Parishioners of these priestless parishes, whether in Michigan or Mississippi, work hard to share support and fellowship with one another and also to facilitate the day-to-day operations in a parish. "We empower people to assume responsibility for their own parish family church," says Sister Virginia Schwartz, O.S.M., parish director at St. Ann Parish in Cable, Mich.

The lay men and women who head these parishes face many challenges, including administrative and financial responsibilities, the role of married lay leaders and their spouses, and parishioners getting used to the idea of a lay person, rather than a woman religious, heading a priestless parish. However, the skeptics are few and far between.

The issue of "vanishing Eucharist" surfaces in these unique situations because lay leaders lead Communion services in lieu of Mass. But lay leaders report that most parishioners adapt to the situation and that often community appears to eclipse Eucharist in importance. Nevertheless, Karen Kane, director of the Office of Worship in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, says, "We have fallen short in helping people to really understand the importance of offering praise and thanksgiving through the Eucharistic Prayer." But most agree that having lay leaders is better than closing parishes.