{"id":2332,"date":"2008-03-02T16:19:00","date_gmt":"2008-03-02T16:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/deaconsbench\/2008\/03\/doing-double-duty.html"},"modified":"2008-03-02T16:19:00","modified_gmt":"2008-03-02T16:19:00","slug":"doing-double-duty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/deaconsbench\/2008\/03\/doing-double-duty.html","title":{"rendered":"Doing double duty"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you want to know what it’s like to be a priest in America in the early years of the 21st century, this piece<\/a> from Pennsylvania may give you an idea: <\/p>\n

The Rev. Steven Palsa of St. Philomena Catholic Church of Beaver Falls has long relied on traditional devices, such as a pulpit and confessional, to minister to parishioners.<\/p>\n

<\/a>But he recently added a new way to reach his flock: his cell phone.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the best way to find him since December, when he began regularly crisscrossing the Beaver River to minister to Holy Family Catholic Parish in New Brighton.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank goodness for cell phones,\u201d Palsa said.<\/p>\n

He is the most recent of a handful of local Catholic priests to guide a second church. It is the result, in large part, of a shortage of priests and socioeconomic factors, Palsa said.<\/p>\n

The situation hasn\u2019t stirred too much controversy. But it\u2019s something priests and parishioners \u2014 many accustomed to having a priest for each church \u2014 are adjusting to, in some cases begrudgingly. <\/p>\n

The Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese includes six counties, among them Beaver County. In 2000, nine of the diocese\u2019s priests were serving multiple parishes. That number is up to 34 today, according to the diocese.<\/p>\n

The Rev. James Wehner, the diocese\u2019s director of vocations, said this is due to a variety of reasons. Chief among them is where Catholics live, he said.<\/p>\n

In the 1940s and 1950s, as the steel industry flourished, a majority of Catholics settled in urban areas. One, if not two or three, churches were within walking distance of their homes, he said.<\/p>\n

But as the steel industry collapsed in the 1970s and 1980s, more Catholics moved to suburban areas. The diocese is still catching up to the migration, Wehner said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the decrease in the number of Catholics in these areas,\u201d he said, \u201cthere will be a decrease in the number of priests.\u201d<\/p>\n

Living patterns only partly explain why priests are ministering to multiple parishes.<\/p>\n

The number of priests within the diocese is declining. In 2000, it had 334 priests, compared with 265 today.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reality is, we don\u2019t have enough priests,\u201d Palsa said.<\/p>\n

Wehner believes the trend will eventually reverse itself. But until that happens, it is likely a greater percentage of priests will lead multiple parishes, he said.<\/p>\n

Wehner acknowledged this can be an uneasy transition, especially among long-established churches. But in many cases, it\u2019s a more attractive choice than other options, such as closing or merging churches.<\/p>\n

For many priests, being assigned a second parish is both rewarding and daunting. On one hand, it is an honor; the diocese trusts them to lead hundreds of additional parishioners. The priest has the ability to help more people.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, it means more work. Priests find themselves prioritizing the needs of each congregation and wondering whether they\u2019ve devoted enough time to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not necessarily short-changing people in regards to ministry,\u201d said the Rev. Ward Stakem. \u201cBut you find yourself asking, \u2018Have I spent enough time here?\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n

Stakem served as pastor of St. Cecilia Parish in Rochester for 11 years before, in 2006, he was asked to minister to St. Felix Church in Freedom.<\/p>\n

It was an assignment, at first, he felt unprepared for.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t something we anticipated or were ever trained to do,\u201d said Stakem, a minister for 30 years.<\/p>\n

Stakem and his assistant pastor met with leaders of each church. They set meeting times for each council and decided that Stakem and his assistant would alternate weekly saying Mass at each church.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the same scenario at Good Samaritan Church in Ambridge and St. John the Baptist Church in Baden, where the Rev. Terry O\u2019Connor splits pastoral duties with an assistant.<\/p>\n

Keeping the Mass schedule eliminates dicey questions, such as: Which church should the priest minister to on sacred days, such as Easter. It doesn\u2019t, however, blunt feelings of guilt or satisfy their doubts.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t be in both places at both times,\u201d Stakem said. \u201cThe expectation is that the pastor will be there, but he can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Stakem and O\u2019Connor said they rely more upon parishioners for day-to-day tasks, such as paying bills and mailing newsletters. That\u2019s a good thing, according to Wehner, who said such work prompts greater involvement in the church.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody has a role building up the parish,\u201d he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Keep reading right here<\/a> for more. <\/p>\n

Photo: by Kevin Lorenzi, Beaver County Times & Allegheny Times<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you want to know what it’s like to be a priest in America in the early years of the 21st century, this piece from Pennsylvania may give you an idea: The Rev. 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