Sunday Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Fort Smith will temporarily move to the parish’s family centre as the church looks to reduce heating costs over the winter.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith announced that services will move beginning November 8, with Mass continuing at 11am every Sunday throughout the winter.
The cathedral will remain available for funerals and Christmas services, with regular Sunday Mass expected to return to the building in the spring.
Al Dumont, a member of the parish community, told Cabin Radio the decision was made because the church does not have enough income to cover the cost of heating the large building during the colder months.
Dumont estimated the cathedral can accommodate more than 600 people, but typically sees around 40 attending Sunday Mass.
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“It’s a lot easier to warm up a smaller place,” he said.
Dumont stressed the move is not a permanent closure. The cathedral will be kept heated at a lower temperature and can be brought back up to a comfortable heat ahead of events such as funerals or weddings.
He said greater attendance and donations could help the parish afford to heat the cathedral throughout the winter but, for now, the family centre offers a more practical place for the congregation to gather.
Fuel prices, including for heating, have spiked globally in the wake of war involving the United States, Israel and Iran and the subsequent disruption to fuel supplies.
Increased prices are being particularly felt in the NWT, where costs were already high and where many communities rely on the likes of diesel for heat.
