Dear Fellow Parishioners, We are open, and I am so very thankful that we started with no problems with following and respecting the procedures we set in place. I wish to thank those who have come forward to as ushers and greeters. They have the added responsibility of cleaning and disinfecting the pews, bathrooms and door handles before the next Mass takes place. Our plan is to continue with two Masses, one at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday and continue with the 8:30 A.M. on Sunday for three weeks; now until June 6 and 7. We will then evaluate the need for the two Masses and decide our practice for the next phase.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, Our safety, health and patience are most important as we tread carefully to begin joining together as a community of faith in the weeks ahead. Guidelines have been prepared for us by state and Diocesan Officials. It is up to us on the local level to follow them as our facilities and staffing allow. It takes time to ready the church; making sure everything is clean and the pews are marked so people can be directed where to be seated. Even though the directives state we can open at 40% of our capacity, that number does not at all allow for proper social distancing. We will only be able to safely accommodate 20-25% of our seating capacity.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, I wish to thank all our Parish Life Teams for continuing their work throughout this pandemic and working through Zoom meetings and e-mails to help keep things up and running. Our parish staff continues to work to make sure everything happens like clockwork without a hitch. How pleased I am when we seek ministers to serve at live-stream Masses, directing traffic on Mother’s Day, helping with flowers, whatever the need, there is always a willingness to serve. Rob and Gina Russell and Steve Chaplin have not missed one live stream Mass and have volunteered their services throughout this time.
Happy Easter and Happy Mother’s Day! I guess this will be a Mother’s Day to remember. How I always looked forward to inviting all the mothers to come forward to receive a blessing from the community. On this Mother’s Day, we will send the blessing over the live stream and then have a drive thru blessing from 10-11:00 A.M. Motherhood has become an all consuming “adventure” with the added responsibilities of nurse, teacher, short-order cook throughout the day, pandemic rules enforcer, entertainer, peacekeeper, barber - truly a Jackie of all trades! That is why I am reminding everyone that this is the beginning of Mother’s Day WEEK!
Happy Mother’s Day! Got your attention didn’t I? I know Mother’s Day is not until May 10th, however it has been our tradition in our Catholic Community of Sacred Heart to give all of our mothers a special blessing at the beginning of Mother’s Day WEEK! So, here’s the plan so you can prepare.