In order to reach one of the priests for anything of a serious nature (e.g. setting up a meeting, seeking counsel, starting marriage preparation, establishing a day and time for the Baptism of a child), it is most effective to send an e-mail to one of us, using the e-mails listed in the bulletin.
Speaking personally, there are about ten different ways to reach me, between the various phone numbers, e-mails, texting apps, and physical mailboxes. It is a challenge to stay on top of all of these services every day. With texting (and Signal) in particular, it sometimes happens that I receive a text and read it, but cannot respond immediately. In short order, the text gets buried under a series of newer messages (I receive on average about two hundred Signal notifications every day), with nothing to flag the fact that it remains unresolved. I do try to navigate back through text logs a couple times a week to try and prevent things from falling through the cracks, but it is not an infallible process. (This is not to say that there is no place for texting: Signal is fine for sending a relatively unimportant message, and it is excellent for coordinating with multiple people.)
Regarding phone calls, the priests are rarely in a position to answer a call immediately. My experience is that this is not unique to the priests, as voicemails often lead to a series of phone tags, where it is difficult to connect. Some of the faithful will always be more comfortable reaching out by phone, and that is fine – there is no foreseeable future in which the parish discontinues its phone service. However, e-mail often proves a more efficient means of making contact, even if it simply serves to facilitate a time for a phone call.
We are working, in conjunction with the website development, towards official parish e-mail accounts (i.e. @firstmartyr.com). When those are implemented and after they have been thoroughly tested, we will let you all know. In the meantime, the e-mails listed in the bulletin remain the best way to contact the priests for important business.
