My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We continue our caution here at the Basilica about sanitizing and staying away if we feel sick. So far, so good. I haven’t heard of any parish member coming down with the virus.

His Excellency Bishop Joensen has emphasized the following points when attending Mass:

• The use of masks and hand sanitizer is strongly urged. Both are provided at the doors.
• Remember that your mask can be re-used. Take it with you.
• Proper social distancing should be maintained. This goes for the Communion line as well.
• Those wishing to receive Holy Communion on the tongue should come last in line. The Minister of Holy Communion will wait for you

Please remember the continued need for your sacrificial offerings to keep the Basilica financially secure. We still also owe $47,653.00 for this year’s ADA. We are slowly making our goal. ADA envelopes are available by the doors. Please avail yourselves of the locked boxes in the Basilica and the designated plates for your normal contributions. We are about $20,000.00 behind on sacrificial giving versus our budget needs. I thank all those who have been continuing to send in their offerings through the mail and online. This method of contributing has picked up in recent months.

RCIA reception into the Church took place yesterday. We welcome the newest members of our parish family. Confirmation is scheduled for August 30th at the 10:30 Mass. First Holy Communion and First Confessions are being done individually this year.

Because we have lost about half of our teachers who wish to protect themselves from the Covid 19 virus, and also because there is a danger in large gatherings, religious education classes this year in the school will be cancelled and religious education must be done by the parents with the help of the parish staff. Registration will be online. Please contact Margaret for any clarification on procedure. Elvia will be available to our Hispanic parishioners for any help that is needed.

Regular Pastoral Council meetings will begin 20 September after the 10:30 a.m. Mass in the Mulvihill Hall. Quarterly Finance Council meetings will also be scheduled. The 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning Mass will be on hold until further notice due to the necessary sanitizing that must take place. The scheduled Mass intentions will continue to be offered at St. Joseph’s Abbey for these Masses. On weekdays Holy Mass is broadcast at 12:00 noon and on Sunday at 10:30.

Please be cautious and stay well. The parish staff and volunteers are doing all that is possible in the way of sanitizing. Take seriously the restrictions that have been placed upon us for our good and the good of others, such as frequently washing hands, using masks and social distancing. Let us continue to pray for the day when we will be able to once again gather normally around the altar of the Lord and return to normal parish life.

Devotedly yours in the Lord,

(The Very Reverend) Aquinas M. Nichols

Pastor