The Roman Catholic Church has been dealing with a shortage in priesthood vocations for some time now. Even with the number of priests that Bishop Michael Warfel-the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings-has recruited from beyond the borders of the United States, the vacancies continue to increase. Given that situation, Reverend Father Michael Schneider will take on expanded responsibilities. With seven churches now under his direction, Mass times will change for many communities in Blaine County.

In addition to his current duties with St. Gabriel's Parish in Chinook, St. Thomas the Apostle in Harlem, and St. Thomas Aquinas in Hogeland, Father Schneider has been assigned the Fort Belknap Reservation and the communities of Hays, Lodge Pole, and Zortman.

Bishop Warfel indicated that the Sacred Heart Parish at Fort Belknap would not be having their own church services through the remainder of this year. That parish is being encouraged to join the community of St. Thomas the Apostle in Harlem. The two combined parishes will celebrate Mass at 5:00 every Saturday evening.

The remaining communities will have a Sunday Mass schedule. Effective September 19, Father Schneider will say Mass in Chinook at 8:30 a.m. Then, he will alternate his other Sunday commitments between Hays and the Big Flat. While the parishioners of St. Thomas Aquinas in Hogeland will celebrate Mass at 11:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, the Hays, Lodge Pole, and Zortman communities will have combined services in Hays at St. Paul's Mission on the first and third Sundays at 11:00 a.m.

"I appreciate everyone's help and participation as I take on these expanded responsibilities," Father Schneider said. "We have a long history of devout Catholics whose needs should be met, and I want to provide this service for the diocese, but I can only do what is within my abilities. I will feel out the situation as we go and make any necessary adjustments."

Regarding the more remote locations, Father Schneider went on to say, "Hopefully we can find a retired priest who is willing to fill in maybe one Sunday a month. Our intent is to meet the essential needs of the people as well as the cultural ways of our reservation parishioners."