To the faithful of the Diocese,

Subject:  Mass stipends in our Diocese

Canon 953 establishes that the bishops of an ecclesiastical province are to decree what offering is to be made for the celebration and application of a Mass.  In the absence of such a decree, diocesan custom is to be observed.  Such is the case in our Diocese.

Changes in federal regulations and in the demographic profile of our clergy compel us to increase the funding of our priests’ retirement plan. Given the practice of surrounding dioceses and the fact that the stipend for Mass in our diocese has not been raised for a number of decades, after having consulted the Council of Priests and the Finance Council of the Diocese, I propose that, starting January 1st, 2009, our diocesan custom regarding offerings be changed and that the normal Mass stipend be set at $15.00.

This change will not augment an individual priest’s net revenue, but will be directed to the priests’ pension fund.

+ Paul-André Durocher

December 5^th, 2008