Bishop calls for new service times for 5 parishes with same priest

By JAN TUCKER

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Ontonagon — The Most Rev. John Doerfler, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Marquette, in a letter to the five Catholic churches of Ontonagon County, informed parishioners of a change in some Masses in Rockland and White Pine coming in October.

Doerfler said he has been concerned about the workload of Father Michael Jacobus with five weekend Masses and the amount of travel it entails.

Besides Rockland and White Pine, Jacobus serves churches in Ontonagon, Ewen and Bergland.

“At the same time,” Doerfler wrote, “it is also unrealistic to be able to assign an additional priest to the (region).” He added that many parishioners have written, also concerned about the workload on the pastor.

Doerfler said he met with Jacobus, discussed a reconfiguration and mutually decided on a new Mass schedule that will “ease his workload and be sustainable for the long term,” and still keep the churches open.

Beginning in October, Masses will be celebrated each weekend in Ontonagon, Ewen and Bergland, and every other week in Rockland and White Pine.

Effective the weekend of Oct. 3-4 the schedule will be Saturday 4 p.m. in Ewen, and 6 p.m. in Rockland or White Pine on alternating weeks, with the Oct. 3 Mass in Rockland and the Oct. 10 Mass in White Pine.

Sunday Masses will re-main at 9 a.m. in Ontonagon and 11 a.m. in Bergland.