For discussion by way of “Food for Thought”
Last updated May 13, 2021
Dear Pastors and Parish Pastoral Districts,
On occasion, the question arises in a district as to what happens when a given parish cancels a scheduled Divine Liturgy or other liturgical service. Do they still have to pay?
A good question! I would say that every district in the Eparchy of Edmonton has asked this question, and, at times, have sought advice from the Pastoral Centre.
Let me start by stating the obvious, namely, that the common thinking among parishes and parish districts is that “no service, no pay.” This thinking is based upon an older model of financial support. Parishes would arrange with a priest to serve a Divine Liturgy, and they would pay an agreed upon “stipend/fee per service”. As the years went on, parishioners, particularly in the rural areas, found it central to their faith to have a priest available to them in their district, not only to serve divine liturgies on a regular basis, but to have a pastor be present to support them through their faith journey.
The “no service, no pay” model is only one way that parishes can consider in how they support each other. This model at times can lead to inequalities in how individual parishes support the district and does not entirely consider the evangelization mission which is critical for every parish.
Models for Cost Sharing by the Parishes
Over the years various cost sharing models have been discussed of how parishes could share in the cost of supporting a full-time pastor in their district, while supporting each other. The following models are commonly considered:
- Per liturgy. Each year a district holds an annual general meeting, with representatives from each parish present, and a schedule of services is agreed upon for the entire year, with each parish determining how many Divine Liturgies and liturgical services they plan on holding. The total expense related to supporting a pastor in the district is then divided by the number of services, which then determines the “price per Divine Liturgy.”
- Per capita. Dividing the total cost by the number of parishioners in the total district, then apportioning that “per capita” cost among the parishes. In this model, a parish with more parishioners contributes more to the district than a parish with fewer parishioners.
- Mother Church. In most districts, one “mother parish” is designated where the pastor lives and serves that parish each and every Sunday, serving the “daughter parishes” once a month or so. In this model, the mother parish contributes more to the district, for example, one-half of all common expenses, given that the mother parish can access the pastoral services of the priest who lives in the community. The remaining daughter parishes contribute the remaining amount, divided in some fashion among themselves.
- Equal support. In this model, every parish in the district, regardless of their size and the number of liturgical services scheduled (every Sunday, once per month, once per year, etc.), contributes the same amount, with the understanding that priest is available to provides pastoral services each and every day, where required and when requested.
- Active parishes versus praznyk/graveside only parishes. Some parishes schedule regular Divine Liturgy and other liturgical services throughout the year. Other parishes schedule only a one or two services in a given year, usually on the occasion of their praznyk and/or graveside services. In this model, parishes with more regularly scheduled services contribute more to the district than the praznyk/graveside only services.
Perhaps there are other models to be considered.
However, regardless of the model used to calculate financial support in a given district, one must not forget that mission entrusted to the Church by Christ himself is to evangelize, that is, to share the faith from one generation to the next, as we have been doing for some 2,000 years. In our responsibility to grow in our faith and to share that faith, the Divine Liturgy is but one aspect in our faith journey towards salvation.
In addition to the Divine Liturgy – which certainly is the source and summit of the life and mission of the Church – we are nourished in our faith by so many other sacred moments including: the sacraments or holy mysteries (baptism, chrismation, the Divine Eucharist, reconciliation (confession), anointing of the sick, marriage, and ordination); sacramentals (for example, blessing of holy water, homes, and graves, molebens, akathists, panachydas, wedding anniversaries); lenten liturgical services (including sorokousty and prayers for the deceased, Holy Thursday and Good Friday Services); prayers and Divine Liturgy intentions for the sick, dying and special needs; hospital visits and sick calls; personal counselling, for example, marriage counselling and counselling for the bereaved and those mourning the loss of a loved one. And the list goes on.
Role of our pastors
Why do I mention the above? The work of the Church, the work of salvation, is supported by the pastor assigned to a given parish or district does not occur only on the once per month – or more frequently or less frequently as the case may be. The priest’s responsibilities, in providing the pastoral services listed above to the faithful assigned to him by the bishop, are therefore 24/7 in nature; not just an hour or two when he is celebrating the Divine Liturgy on a given Sunday in a given parish.
In other words, regardless of the model chosen by a district to determine how common costs are shared by the parishes comprising that district, the work of the pastor goes well beyond a “price per Divine Liturgy” calculation. The priest is Christ himself, who has dedicated his entire life in service to the parishioners in their faith journey towards salvation.
What happens when a scheduled liturgy/service is cancelled?
Now, another practical concern oftentimes raised is what to do when a scheduled Divine Liturgy or liturgical service is cancelled.
Such occasions can arise where a parish, especially smaller parishes with only 10-15 people regularly present on a given Sunday, when they realize that one or two families will be away, leaving only a handful of parishioners planning to attend. Inclement weather, especially in the winter when a snowstorm or ice can made travel treacherous, or the priest taking suddenly ill on Sunday morning or having a flat tire, are other examples. The COVID-19 pandemic has also provided uncertainty at times in whether to proceed with a scheduled Divine Liturgy given that many of our faithful are elderly, others compromised by health issues.
What to do? Every district, at one time or another, has experience these types of situations, and others.
I would say that the parishes that comprise a district should reflect on how best to deal with such occasions when they meet as a district to determine the annual schedule of Sunday and liturgical services. The district may decide that once a parish agrees to a certain number of services for the upcoming year that that parish is financially responsible to support the district even when the parish finds themselves in a position where the parish decides to cancel for whatever reason. Now, that parish can always work with the pastor to reschedule a cancelled service on another Sunday where possible, or even on a Saturday. Weather-related issues are beyond anyone’s control – the district could decide that the parish is still responsible for the monthly financial support towards the district given that that parish is still supported by the pastor in so many other areas as listed above; or the district could decide that they will set aside some monies in their annual budget to cover inclement weather.
Where the priest himself is unable to be present for a given liturgical service owing to a sudden and unpredicted circumstance (sickness, car trouble), then the district may also budget a small for such unforeseen events; or the district may determine that the parish work with he priest to reschedule the missed service. Now, when the priest has requested holidays, is sick but notifies the Pastoral Centre in advance, or is away for another personal reason, the Pastoral Centre always strives to provide a substitute priest at no cost to the parish/district.
Other scenarios may arise. The district would be well served in agreeing upon a plan on how best to address these situations, and not on the day that they arise, but will in advance, worked out an annual general meeting of the district to which all parishes agree. A well thought out and agreed upon policy will go a long way to keep peace in the family!
To further our conversation …
Well, thank you for providing me an opportunity to reflect upon and offer some thoughts on matters which affect all parishes and districts at one time or another.
My intention here is to start a conversation in this regard.
I welcome your wisdom and advice which can be shared with other parishes and districts for their input and consideration, perhaps working towards a common understanding and approach throughout the Eparchy of Edmonton.
God bless!
Bishop David