Calendar 2000 is complicating Mass schedules

In anticipation of those complications, Elizabeth Simcoe, director of the Albany diocesan Office of Prayer and Worship, issued an October memo to all pastors, priests, parish life directors, deacons and other parish leaders, suggesting how to deal with this circumstance, which last occurred in 1995.

"In order to fully celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent and to allow time for communities to prepare the worship space for Christmas," she wrote, "it is the recommendation of this office that parishes examine their Sunday Mass schedule and, according to parish needs, adjust it for this day."

Ms. Simcoe went on to explain that care should be given to provide adequate notice and sufficient opportunity for the parish community to worship without overtaxing liturgical ministers.

An example of a parish that has altered its regular schedule is Holy Spirit Church in East Greenbush. On Dec. 24, there will be only two morning Masses, one at 8:30 and the other at 10 a.m. The usual 11 a.m. Mass has been canceled. That evening, Christmas vigil Masses will be at 5, 7 and 10 p.m. On Christmas Day, two morning Masses will be celebrated, one at 10 and the second at 11:30 a.m.

(If you plan on attending a Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass, a Christmas Eve liturgy and Christmas Mass at your parish, check your weekly bulletin for the schedule.)

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