By Doug Fletcher,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – As of Thursday, Holy Cross Church will be served by a single priest.

The Rev. Paul LaBree, who has served for two years at Holy Cross, is being transferred by the diocese to minister to people attending four smaller churches in Aroostook County.

“I am sad to leave the people here,” LaBree said Tuesday afternoon, “but I’m looking forward to going to the The County because I’m told the people are quite welcoming.”

Besides assisting at Holy Cross, he was chaplain at St. Dom’s high school and offered counseling services.

He called his work connected to the parish “a wonderful first assignment.”

And he quipped that he was told “I was irreplaceable, and I guess I am.”

The diocese hasn’t replaced him at Holy Cross.

That means the Rev. Daniel Greenleaf, Holy Cross’ pastor, will find himself caring for the spiritual needs of 5,265 parishioners without assistance.

There won’t likely be any change in Mass schedules or other services, LaBree said. He noted it isn’t uncommon for churches the size of Holy Cross to now have only a single priest ministering to the needs of parishioners.

The church offers two Masses on Saturdays and two on Sundays.

Diocesan spokeswoman Sue Bernard said it will be up to Greenleaf to institute any change in the Mass schedule, as well as any changes in the hours he maintains for church-related duties.

Greenleaf was busy Tuesday and unavailable for comment.

LaBree will provide services to the faithful at St. Louis Parish in Fort Kent, St. Charles Parish in St. Francis, St. Joseph Parish in Wallagrass and St. Mary Parish in Eagle Lake.

He’ll join the Rev. Claude Gendreau at the churches.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland announced the change at Holy Cross and others in Maine earlier this month. In all, three priests are retiring, one is taking a sabbatical, another is being reassigned by his order, and a woman who had administered churches in Lubec and Campobello, New Brunswick, is taking a leave of absence. As a result, 11 others will be affected by reassignments and by other actions approved by Bishop Richard M. Malone.

Bernard said only one new priest is expected in Maine this year, with his ordination set for the summer.

Next year, no ordinations are scheduled in Maine, but five men are expected to become deacons. A year later they’ll be eligible for ordination.