Update on Fr. Lambert, and Another Priest Is Being Assigned to Us

by Father Joe

Update on Fr. Lambert, and
Another Priest Is Being Assigned to Us

Let’s start with the obvious: no one can replace Fr. Lambert! In case you missed this column last weekend, Fr. Lambert is transferring to a new parish at the end of May, and we now expect that assignment will be announced by the end of this month. Likewise, we have been uncertain whether we would be receiving another priest as associate pastor for St. Martha and St. Mary. As you know, priests don’t grow on trees! With fewer Catholics worshipping in recent decades, fewer people are hearing the call to their respective vocations in Holy Matrimony, Consecrated Life (religious sisters/brothers), and Holy Orders, which is why we pray for these particular vocations the most. Even in just the past five years, the number of priests that belong to the Archdiocese of Boston has dropped 15% from 591 down to 504 - and 40% of these are in “senior priest/retirement” status! Countries like ours that used to send hundreds of missionaries around the world are now finding ourselves needing the service of missionaries from places where the Church is stronger and there are more priests and religious.
So, you can understand why until recently I was guessing a that our chances of our collaborative getting a second priest were only 50/50... but thankfully that has changed. Our Clergy Personnel office has worked hard to find a priest for us, and we will announce who it is once it is all official. Meanwhile, please continue to pray during this time of transition for Fr. Lambert, our parishes, and our future priest. The Holy Spirit is in charge, and we pray that we are all listening well!