The Gospel reading at St. Mary’s Church Sunday in Lake Leelanau dealt with the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.

The miracle of Jesus’ feeding of loaves and fishes to 5,000 followers at the Sea of Galilee is a story of sharing to fulfill a need, which is what the Diocese of Gaylord has done regarding the sharing of priests in Leelanau County.

Due to a lack of available clergy, parishioners at St. Mary will be sharing their priest, the Rev. Michael Janowski, with three other parishes effective July 6.

Bishop Patrick R. Cooney of the Diocese of Gaylord notified Janowski of his assignment in writing. An excerpt of the letter was read from the pulpit at Masses last weekend.

Janowski, who has served as “administrator” at St. Mary for the past two years, was named “pastor” for St. Mary, St. Philip Neri in Empire, Holy Rosary in Cedar, and St. Rita/St. Joseph in Maple City.

He will be assisted by the Rev. Donald Libby, who currently serves as associate pastor at St. Francis in Traverse City. In addition, Libby will serve St. Mary School and the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools in Traverse City. He will reside at Holy Rosary after Sept. 1.

Libby, a native of the Grand Rapids area, was ordained on July 16, 2005 and has been serving the past year at St. Francis as an associate pastor to the Rev. Ken Stachnik, a Cedar native.

Deacon John Moeggenberg has served as a pastoral administrator at Holy Rosary for the past several years. The Cedar area parish, as well as St. Rita/St. Joe members, have been served since July 2006 by the Rev. Garth Hilmer. Word of his upcoming assignment was not available as of press time Wednesday.

Meanwhile, no changes are anticipated for parishes on the east side of the peninsula.

The Rev. Andrew Buvala, OFM will continue as pastor of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha in Peshawbestown and will also be celebrating Mass at St. Wenceslaus in Gills Pier. In addition, the Rev. James Doherty’s assignment has been changed from “temporary administrator” to “administrator” at St. Michael parish in Suttons Bay.

He will also continue in his administrative capacity at St. Gertrude Church in Northport.