Q: What does it mean to say that Sacred Heart and St. Patrick’s are merging?
A: It means that, as of July 1, 2023, the Parish of Sacred Heart in Monroe no longer exists as an
independent parish, and the Parish of St. Patrick’s in Highland Mills no longer exists as an
independent parish. Both parishes have been formally suppressed and a new parish has been
erected encompassing the former parish bounds of Sacred Heart and St. Patrick’s.

Q: What will be the name of the newly merged parish?
A: The name of the newly merged parish will be “The Parish of Sacred Heart-St. Patrick.” Our
parish should always be referred to in this way beginning on July 1, 2023. When referring to a
specific location where an event, such as a Mass, will take place, however, it would be best to
say “St. Patrick’s Church” (when an event is happening in Highland Mills) or “Sacred Heart
Church” (when an event is taking place in Monroe).

Q: Will the parish ever receive a new, non-hyphenated name, as has happened with other
parishes that have merged?
A: Possibly, but definitely not for at least one year. This is something we will have to discern
together as a parish community.

Q: What changes will there be to the schedule of sacraments with the merger?
A: There will be no changes to the current schedule of sacraments at Sacred Heart Church. At St.
Patrick’s Church, there will be one weekly Mass at 10am on Sundays, plus weddings, funerals,
and baptisms.

Q: Will there be Masses on Christmas, Easter, and other holy days at St. Patrick’s Church?
A: Yes. On Christmas there will be a vigil Mass at 4pm and a Christmas Day Mass at 10am; on
Easter there will be an Easter morning Mass at 10am; and there will be a 7pm Mass on every
holy day of obligation.

Q: Will we still be able to request Mass intentions at St. Patrick’s Church?
A: Yes. Mass intentions are currently available for the 10am Mass at St. Patrick’s through the
end of December. This fall, the Mass book will open for 2024. Beginning in 2024, there will be
five Mass intentions available for every 10am Mass at St. Patrick’s Church and five Mass
intentions available for every 10am Mass at Sacred Heart.

Q: Where will religious education take place?
A: All religious education classes will take place at Sacred Heart Church in Monroe. Significant
changes have been made to the schedule of classes in an attempt to accommodate as many
families as possible from Woodbury.

Q: Will the St. Patrick’s gym still be opened?
A: Yes. The gym will still be used for CYO, as well as for other community events.

Q: Will the office at St. Patrick’s still be opened?
A: No. All parishioners who need to speak to someone in the office are asked to call or visit the
parish office at Sacred Heart Church, located beneath the church, on the exit side of the church,
down the steps by the mailbox. If you wish to call the parish office, the phone number is 845-
782-8510. All calls to the old St. Patrick’s phone number will be automatically redirected to
Sacred Heart Church.

Q: Will the sacramental records of St. Patrick’s parishioners still be available to them?
A: Yes. All St. Patrick’s sacramental records have been transferred to Sacred Heart Church.
Anyone needing sacramental certificates should call or visit the parish office at Sacred Heart
Church and our parish secretary will be happy to assist you.

Q: Where will our donations go?
A: With the merger, the bank accounts of both parishes will be merged and the revenue and
expenses of both churches will become the revenue and expenses of the new parish. Therefore,
your weekly donation will go into the operating account of the newly merged parish. Whether
you hand in your envelope at St. Patrick’s Church or Sacred Heart Church, whether you are
signed up for WeShare through St. Patrick’s or Sacred Heart, your donation will still go into the
one operating account of the newly merged parish.

Q: Will there still be a collection for Maintenance and Repairs at St. Patrick’s and another for
Debt Reduction at Sacred Heart?
A: Yes. For the time being, we will still hold the monthly collection for maintenance and repairs
at St. Patrick’s. It will only be held there, and the money collected will only go to maintenance
and repairs at St. Patrick’s Church. We will also still hold the monthly collection for debt
reduction at Sacred Heart. It will only be held at Sacred Heart and the money collected will only
go to pay off the mortgage of Sacred Heart Church.

Q: Will there be one bulletin or two?
A: From here on out, there will be one bulletin for the Parish of Sacred Heart-St. Patrick. This
bulletin will contain information about all events and sacraments taking place in both locations
and will be distributed at both churches.