Farmers and others in the New Prague area whose schedules make it difficult for them to attend Sunday morning Masses now have a new option: an 8:15 Saturday night Mass at St. Scholastica in Heidelberg.
For several years, Father Elgar Bockenfeld celebrated a late Saturday Mass at St. John the Evangelist in Union Hill. But after Father Bockenfeld’s death in January, it was discontinued.
About 250 people regularly attended the Mass. Some came from as far as 30 miles away.
After the Mass was discontinued, more than 70 letters requesting that the Saturday night “farmers’ Mass” be reinstated poured in to the archdiocese, said Father David Barrett, associate pastor at St. Wenceslaus in New Prague. Father Barrett, who will be the main celebrant at the Saturday night Mass, also serves at St. Thomas in St. Thomas and St. Scholastica.
St. Scholastica (31525 181st Ave.) was chosen as the new host for the Mass based on its location and facilities; however, the Mass is open to everyone regardless of their parish membership, Father Barrett said.
A collection taken during the Mass will go toward any extra expenses St. Scholastica incurs. Catholics from outside St. Scholastica who wish to give a contribution to their own parishes at the Mass may do so using their parishes’ envelopes.
