Spangdahlem chapel accommodates parishioners as Bitburg closes Published Dec. 7, 2009 By Senior Airman Kali L. Gradishar 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- When the Bitburg Annex Chapel closed its doors after the final mass Nov. 29, the Spangdahlem Chapel opened its wider. The discussion to close the annex chapel had been ongoing since the closure of Bitburg Air Base in 1995, said Kelli McCrea, Catholic pastoral coordinator. It was only after a survey and careful consideration by the chapel staff, Catholic Parish Council and wing leadership that it was decided to close at this time. This was just one more step toward the completion of "Spangdahlem 2015," a construction and expansion plan for Spangdahlem and closure of Bitburg Annex. At Spangdahlem, the chapel made changes to the mass schedule to accommodate for an increase in attendance. "During the school year, approximately one quarter to one third of the Holy Family Catholic Community regularly attended the noon mass at the Bitburg Chapel," Dr. McCrea said. However, there is "plenty of room in the Spangdahlem Chapel to accommodate the 300 or so parishioners who attend mass each week." "We hope that all of the parishioners who attended the noon Mass will attend one of the two masses at Spangdahlem. One of our goals is to have a more active and unified Holy Family Catholic Community under one roof at the Spangdahlem Chapel," Dr. McCrea added. Along with discontinuing the noon Sunday mass at Bitburg, additional changes made to the chapel schedule include moving the 5 p.m. Saturday mass at Spangdahlem to 6 p.m., as well as a switch in hours of the Sunday Protestant service from 5 p.m. to 4 p.m. to accommodate the Catholic mass time. While Catholic parish survey data indicated that 25 of 300 parishioners would be negatively affected by cancellation of the Bitburg mass, Spangdahlem Catholic leadership unanimously believes benefits resulting from the closure would far outweigh costs, according to a position paper on Catholic schedule changes. "The Catholic community doesn't expect to have any (additional) changes in the near future. However, we are a dynamic group and are willing to make changes to meet the needs of the Catholic community as a whole, should the need arise," Dr. McCrea said. "There are some people who are disappointed that there will no longer be a noon mass or daily mass at Bitburg. "Overall, the community understands that all facilities will eventually close at Bitburg. Most people accept that change is inevitable." For more information on church service dates, times and locations, call the chapel at DSN 452-6711 or go to http://www.spangdahlem.af.mil/questions/topic.asp?id=1652.