by Tablet Staff
MASPETH — Transfiguration Church will no longer offer weekday Masses and will only be open on a limited basis on weekends going forward, Bishop Robert Brennan announced in a recent letter to parishioners.
The decision stems from multiple challenges the church and diocese face, according to Bishop Brennan, including financial stress and a priest shortage in the diocese that necessitates change.
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The letter, read to parishioners at Masses on Aug. 23-24, explains that the changes at Transfiguration stem from a reconfiguration process that the diocese has been undergoing in recent years.
In February, Msgr. Joseph Calise, pastor of Transfiguration, wrote to parishioners about the condition of the church’s buildings, the cost of repairs, and the financial stress it faced. Then, at a town hall meeting in March, options were presented, including the sale of the property and the closing of Transfiguration.
“Since then, Msgr. Calise and I have considered all the options in light of the pastoral needs of Transfiguration-St. Stanislaus Kostka, which includes the need for adequate meeting space for parish activities,” Bishop Brennan said. “It is for this reason that we will keep the church building at Transfiguration open on a limited basis at this time, as we continue to discuss future pastoral planning in Maspeth.”
Transfiguration will remain available for weddings and funerals upon request.
The weekday Masses previously celebrated at Transfiguration will be permanently relocated to St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.
The Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning at Transfiguration will continue to be celebrated temporarily with anticipation “that in the future, the Mass schedule will need to be adjusted,” Bishop Brennan said.
The Lithuanian Mass will move to the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Williamsburg on a permanent basis, effective Sept. 1.
Transfiguration merged with St. Stanislaus Kostka in 2019 to form one parish — Transfiguration-St. Stanislaus Kostka. The two churches have a combined seven buildings, including two rectories and two convents.
Bishop Brennan said in his letter to parishioners that the diocese is exploring the possibility of selling part of the property at Transfiguration, not including the church building, to “help meet the financial needs of the parish… and allow us to continue to provide the necessary pastoral care of the entire parish community.”
Bishop Brennan also thanked the church’s clergy and staff for their efforts to reinvigorate and evangelize in recent years, but also acknowledged the demographic changes in the area, the broader secularization of society, and the declining number of priests in the diocese that have led to these decisions.
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He said he will keep the parishioners updated on any other changes.
“The situation at Transfiguration Church will continue to be evaluated regularly, and I will keep [you] updated regarding any new developments,” Bishop Brennan said. “Be assured of my prayers and support during this time.”