Dear Parishioners & Friends of St. Rose of Lima Parish,
My name is Fr. Jim Goerner. Allow me to tell you a little bit about myself. I was born and raised in West Reading. I graduated from Holy Name High School in 1975. After graduation I worked for John Wanamaker’s store outside of Reading for 10 years. I finally decided to answer God’s call and begin studies for the priesthood in 1985. I was ordained on May 15, 1993.
My priestly assignments have included being an assistant at: St. Catherine of Siena, Horsham 1993-1999, St Matthew, Philadelphia 1999 – 2007 and St. Bartholomew, Philadelphia 2007 – 2008. I have been a pastor at St. Bartholomew 2008 – 2011, St. Laurence, Upper Darby 2011 – 2013, St. Francis of Assisi 2013 – 2020, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Morton 2020 – 2024. Effective June 17, 2024, Archbishop Perez has assigned me to be pastor of St. Rose of Lima AND Administrator of Our Lady of Charity in Brookhaven.
The reality of the priest shortage is finally hitting Philadelphia. Including myself there will be 11 priests who will be responsible for two parishes. This is uncharted territory for all of us as our assignment is to keep both parishes opening, operating and separate entities. In other words, this IS NOT a merging or twinning or combining of parishes. IT IS two separate parishes assigned to one priest.
Keeping that in mind there are adjustments that are going to have to be made to schedules since on weekdays I cannot be in two places at the same time. Effective July 1, 2024, this will be the adjusted schedule: Liturgies – Saturday Vigil – 4:30 PMSunday Morning – 7:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 Noon
Daily Mass – Monday Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 9:00 AM
Communion Service – Wednesday, 9:00 AM
Holydays & Holidays – as announced Confessions – Tuesday, 7:00 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, 3:30 – 4:15 PM
Office Hours – Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Closed Friday.
This transition to one priest being responsible for two parishes is going to take some time and patience for the parishes, parishioners, staff and clergy. Is it ideal? No. Is it better than the alternative of eliminating some Masses, or worse yet, parishes altogether? Yes! I am going to need all your help as we together find our way and move forward. Let us pray for each other during these changing times.
Let us embrace the preset and look forward to the future. Like the apostles after Pentecost who went out and formed the church, so to we are the 21st century apostles building on the firm foundation of those who have gone before us. Yours in Christ,Rev. James E. Goerner