The Diocese of Rochester has announced that efforts to reduce Pastoral Center operating costs have resulted in the elimination of one position and a reduction in hours for another position within Parish Support Ministries.
As of June 18, the position of director of the Office of Liturgy has been eliminated and the position of coordinator of Asian-Pacific Ministries has been reduced from 20 to 10 hours per week, the diocese announced.
“It is very sad to have to take these steps, which were very carefully considered as part of our overall efforts to examine ways to reduce costs,” Father Joseph A. Hart, vicar general and moderator of the Pastoral Center, said in a diocesan statement. “Whenever possible, we have tried very hard to make reductions in ways that would not directly affect individuals’ jobs, such as asking each director to trim next year’s budget by 10 percent. Eliminating or reducing staff positions are always a last resort, but cannot always be avoided.”
Parish Support Ministries will look for alternate ways to meet needs in the wake of these reductions, according to its director, Bernard Grizard.
“Despite this unfortunate reality, our department will do its best to ensure that parishes are served well. We should face this situation with faith and courage,” Grizard said a statement.
“Other dioceses have faced similar challenges and are operating without a full-time director of a liturgy office,” he added. “We are still discussing with many people ways we will continue to make liturgy a priority as the shaper of our faith experience. I am encouraging ideas, energy, creativity and teamwork, and I know our faith and commitment will see us through.”
Copyright © 2023 Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Linking is encouraged, but republishing or redistributing, including by framing or similar means, without the publisher's prior written permission is prohibited.
