Frequently asked questions about the merger of Sacred Heart and St. Patrick’s churches

As of July 1, 2023, the Parish of Sacred Heart in Monroe no longer exists as an independent parish and the Parish of St. Patrick’s in Highland Mills no longer exists as an independent parish. Both parishes have been formally suppressed and a new parish has been erected encompassing the former parish bounds of Sacred Heart and St. Patrick’s.

The Rev. David Rider, pastor, provided the following Q&A to explain what the merger means:

Q: What will be the name of the newly merged parish?

A: The name of the newly merged parish will be “The Parish of Sacred Heart-St. Patrick.” Our parish should always be referred to in this way beginning on July 1, 2023. When referring to a specific location where an event, such as a Mass, will take place, however, it would be best to say “St. Patrick’s Church” (when an event is happening in Highland Mills) or “Sacred Heart Church” (when an event is taking place in Monroe).

Q: Will the parish ever receive a new, non-hyphenated name, as has happened with other parishes that have merged?

A: Possibly, but definitely not for at least one year. This is something we will have to discern together as a parish community.

Q: What changes will there be to the schedule of sacraments with the merger?

A: There will be no changes to the current schedule of sacraments at Sacred Heart Church. At St. Patrick’s Church, there will be one, weekly Mass, at 10 a.m. on Sundays, plus weddings, funerals and baptisms.

Q: Will there be Masses on Christmas, Easter and other holy days at St. Patrick’s Church?

A: Yes. On Christmas there will be a vigil Mass at 4 p.m. and a Christmas Day Mass at 10 a.m.; on Easter there will be an Easter morning Mass at 10 a.m.; and there will be a 7 p.m. Mass on every holy day of obligation.

Q: Will we still be able to request Mass intentions at St. Patrick’s Church?

A: Yes. Mass intentions are currently available for the 10 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s through the end of December. This fall, the Mass book will open for 2024. Beginning in 2024, there will be five Mass intentions available for every 10 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Church and five Mass intentions available for every 10 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart.

Q: Where will religious education take place?

A: All religious education classes will take place at Sacred Heart Church in Monroe. Significant changes have been made to the schedule of classes in an attempt to accommodate as many families as possible from Woodbury.

Q: Will the St. Patrick’s gym still be opened?

A: Yes. The gym will still be used for CYO as well as for other community events.

Q: Will the office at St. Patrick’s still be opened?

A: No. All parishioners who need to speak to someone in the office are asked to call or visit the parish office at Sacred Heart Church, located beneath the church, on the exit side of the church, down the steps by the mailbox. If you wish to call the parish office, the phone number is 845-782-8510. All calls to the old St. Patrick’s phone number will be automatically redirected to Sacred Heart Church.

Q: Will the sacramental records of St. Patrick’s parishioners still be available to them?

A: Yes. All St. Patrick’s sacramental records have been transferred to Sacred Heart Church. Anyone needing sacramental certificates should call or visit the parish office at Sacred Heart Church and our parish secretary will be happy to assist you.

Q: Where will our donations go?

A: With the merger, the bank accounts of both parishes will be merged and the revenue and expenses of both churches will become the revenue and expenses of the new parish. Therefore, your weekly donation will go into the operating account of the newly merged parish. Whether you hand in your envelope at St. Patrick’s Church or Sacred Heart Church, whether you are signed up for WeShare through St. Patrick’s or Sacred Heart, your donation will still go into the one operating account of the newly merged parish.

Q: Will there still be a collection for Maintenance and Repairs at St. Patrick’s and another for Debt Reduction at Sacred Heart?

A: Yes. For the time being, we will still hold the monthly collection for maintenance and repairs at St. Patrick’s. It will only be held there, and the money collected will only go to maintenance and repairs at St. Patrick’s Church. We will also still hold the monthly collection for debt reduction at Sacred Heart. It will only be held at Sacred Heart and the money collected will only go to pay off the mortgage of Sacred Heart Church.

Q: Will there be one bulletin or two?

A: From here on out, there will be one bulletin for the Parish of Sacred Heart-St. Patrick. This bulletin will contain information about all events and sacraments taking place in both locations and will be distributed at both churches.