(Olean) — Local Roman Catholics heading to Mass after Labor Day weekend will need to re-think their normal routine. That's because a new Mass schedule goes into effect for three area Roman Catholic parishes—Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, St. John the Evangelist Church, and St. Philomena Church in Franklinville.

 The new schedule, beginning September 3, reflects a consolidation of Mass times among the parishes resulting in a reduced number of Masses offered, particularly during the weekend, at each of the three recently-linked parishes. In effect, each parish loses a weekend Mass.

The new Mass schedule, announced last month, was developed by the new Roman Catholic clergy team serving the three linked parishes in consultation with their advisory lay councils. The clergy team includes Rev. Patrick Melfi, regional pastor; Rev. Romulo Montero and Rev. David Tourville, regional parochial vicars; and Deacon Richard Matthews. 

 The schedule was reduced, Fr. Melfi explained in his letter to parishioners last month, as a way to provide adequate coverage of priests— not only among the three parishes but among neighboring parishes in Salamanca, Ellicottville, Cuba or other areas where a priest may be ill or away from the area, he explained.

 To assist in determining the new Mass schedules that are underway or still under development throughout the Diocese of Buffalo, each parish throughout the diocese's eight counties was required to record Mass attendance for the past several months. Other factors which were considered in revising the local Mass schedule included the availability of a parish's supporting ministries; religious education schedules; the health of the priests and the availability of Franciscan Friar priests from St. Bonaventure University.

 The parishes were officially linked on August 1 as a way to address the clergy shortage and in response to the diocese's Journey of Faith and Grace initiative a decade ago. The linked parishes also include the Oratory of Sacred Heart in Portville which is connected with the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels.  The three linked parishes remain independent financially with separate Trustees, Finance Councils, and Parish Councils, but pastored by the same clergy team.

New Mass Schedule for Roman Catholics in Olean and Franklinville:

Saturday Vigil

                4:00 p.m.               Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

                4:30 p.m.               St. John the Evangelist

                5:00 p.m.               St. Philomena ( 3rd Saturday of May until last Saturday of September)

Sunday

                8:00 a.m.               Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

                9:30 a.m.               St. John the Evangelist

                10:30 a.m.             St. Philomena

                11:00 a.m.             Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

Daily Mass

Monday

                7:00 a.m.               Communion Service (Basilica)

                8:00 a.m.               St. John the Evangelist

                12:15 p.m.             Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

Tuesday

                7:00 a.m.               Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

                8:00 a.m.               St. John the Evangelist

Wednesday

                7:00 a.m.               Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

                12:15 p.m.             Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

Thursday

                7:00 a.m.               Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

                8:00 a.m.               St. John the Evangelist

Friday

                8:00 a.m.               St. John the Evangelist

                12:15 p.m.             Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

Saturday

                7:30 a.m.               Communion Service (Basilica)

                7:30 a.m.               First Saturday Mass (Basilica)