If you are part of one of the dwindling number of parishes that has its very own pastor, count your blessings — and read this report for a glimpse at the future.

From the Catholic Sentinel in Oregon:

In the future, your parish could resemble St. Mark’s and St. Peter’s.

Since 2006, the two faith communities on Eugene’s northwest side have shared a pastor.

Led by Father Dick Rossman, a plain-dealing veteran priest, both parishes are intent on evangelization — inviting neighbors in the growing district to consider the gospel of Jesus. Each congregations is devoted to its parish.

Meanwhile, the laity are adjusting to limited Mass schedules, increasing their own leadership and praying for vocations.

“I think it’s working well,” says Tom Shea, a member of the administrative council at St. Mark’s. As one sign, he says that St. Mark has turned a financial corner, helped by energy-saving measures and job mergers. Mostly, people are getting used to the arrangement.

“But it hasn’t happened without a lot of pain,” explains Shea. “People want their own priest.”

Dee Perkins, chair of the pastoral council at St. Peter’s, has fielded protests. People wanted their Mass time to remain and they wanted the pastor to be able to stick around after Mass, chatting with them over coffee and doughnuts. Perkins told them, “We’ve got to go with what Father can do.”

The councils have discussed the issue. Lay leaders like Perkins feel a personal duty to help more to relieve Father Rossman.

“I want to take the burden off him,” Perkins says.

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate estimates that 30 to 40 percent of U.S. Catholic parishes are sharing a priest.

The national Catholic directory shows more than 3,000 parishes nationwide without a resident pastor.

“It’s an increasing trend,” says Mary Gautier, senior research associate for the Washington D.C.-based center.

Visit the Sentinel link for much more on how this works.