What better way to bring a Family of Parishes together than through the Eucharist, the source and summit of Catholic life?

That was the thought of Father Ed Burns and his staff at Tri- County Catholics Family of Parishes, which includes St. Gabriel and St. Michael churches in Cincinnati and St. John in West Chester.

When Beacons of Light prompted staffing changes in July of 2022, Tri-County Catholics tried something new and bold: They unified the three parishes in one RCIA program and held one combined Easter Vigil in 2023 at the largest of the churches, St. John, which also houses a large baptismal font for adult baptisms.

“On this holiest night of the year, we felt it was best for our parishes to come together as one,” Father Burns said.

Becky Albrinck, Director of Evangelization for Tri-County Catholics agreed. “This was the first ministry we did as a family,” she said. “RCIA candidates and catechumens often experience their own community as they learn and grow together, and we wanted them to enter the Church together as well.”

As they hoped, the group of RCIA candidates wasn’t the only community built. “This was a chance for us to combine resources for the Vigil,” Albrinck said. “Ministers were selected from all three Churches, and the most exciting part was having choir members present from the entire Family.”

“A large choir, with multiple instrumentalists, led our people together in song and worship,” she continued.

The success of that first combined Easter Vigil in 2023, attended by more than 400 parishioners, means Tri-County Catholics is again preparing to bring their churches together for a very special evening.

It wasn’t easy in the beginning to convince all parishioners that this was a good idea. “It is hard, and in fact heartbreaking, when parishioners have attended the Vigil for years at their own churches, and then must go to another church,” Albrinck admitted. “The change was difficult.”

However, initial hesitations and worries eventually transformed into acceptance and appreciation. “The looks on their faces when they saw a greeter, choir members, music directors, Eucharistic ministers and more representing their smaller communities was just amazing,” Albrinck said. “It was the highlight of our first year together.”

Fr. Burns agreed that he couldn’t have asked for a better Vigil experience. “We didn’t want parishioners to feel like they were just visiting St. John’s Parish,” he said. “It was wonderful to have many parishioners from our three churches join in various ways. And with the lights down and everyone’s baptismal candle lit for the singing of the Exultet, it was just beautiful.”

Tri-County Catholics has tried to keep the Eucharist as their Family of Parishes’ central focus. According to Fr. Burns, “First and foremost, we make sure the weekly celebration of the Mass is done well.”

In addition, Tri-County Catholics added Eucharistic Exposition at more parishes, offered a Bible study focused on the Eucharist in Scripture, and is preparing for a parish retreat this March centered on the Eucharist.

And more events are planned to bring this Family of Parishes’ members together in community, including a family outdoor Mass and picnic in October, combined events with youth and a combined choir at the Thanksgiving Day Mass.

“It cannot be just one and done,” Albrinck said. “This has worked because it has been a continual effort on the part of the staff, parish councils, worship commissions, musicians and many more to assist all of us in understanding that we have a large extended family beyond the walls of our individual churches.”

This article appeared in the March 2024 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here