Mass Times service no longer a toll-free number

Mass Times is a service to help traveling Catholics find a nearby church and its schedule of religious services by telephone or on the Internet. Since 1999 this ministry has been operated in partnership with the Catholic Communication Campaign of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Largely as a result of their promotional support, the usage figures are-soaring to 146,000 telephone calls and more than 2.6 million Internet church look-ups so far in 2002.

Because of increases in telephone costs and the effects of the stock market on the endowment that funds Mass Times, the toll-free telephone option is no longer available. Instead, as of September 1, callers to 1-800 Mass Times will be told "The toll-free Mass Times number is no longer in service, but church locations and schedules are still available by calling (410) 676-6000."

Mass Times will continue to maintain and update its database of more than 23,000 parish and mission churches and other places where Mass is offered in the United States. The nationwide Internet option will still be available free of charge at www.Masstimes.org.