19 June 2020
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is my sincere wish that all of you are staying healthy and that you have avoided the effects of the virus thus far.
Bishop Joensen has given permission to enter into Phase II regarding the Masses. Beginning Saturday 27 June, the following will be the schedule for Masses:
Monday through Friday (Already taking place.):
The Basilica will be unlocked at 11:00 a.m. and Daily Mass will be at 12:00 noon. The Basilica will be locked after Mass for the sake of complete sanitizing. IF YOU FEEL SICK IN ANY WAY OR THINK YOU MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO HAS THE VIRUS, PLEASE DO NOT COME TO ANY OF THE MASSES. The Bishop has suggested the use of masks. They are provided by the parish. You are responsible for your own mask as far as washing and keeping clean. ADORATION IS SUSPENDED UNTIL SEPTEMBER.
Saturdays (Beginning 27 June):
The Basilica will be unlocked at 2:00 p.m. THERE WILL BE NO MORNING MASS AT 9:00 A.M. UNTIL SATURDAY 05 SEPTEMBER. The entire Basilica will have to be sanitized twice as things are.
Sundays (Beginning 28 June):
The Basilica will be unlocked at 8:00 a.m. Please leave Mass shortly after it is over because the entire Basilica will have to be sanitized after each Mass. THERE WILL BE NO COFFEE AND DONUTS UNTIL SUNDAY 06 SEPTEMBER. THE HALL WILL REMAIN LOCKED.
When you come up to Communion, come in a single line with six feet between you and the next person. When you are before the minister of Communion remove the mask, consume the Blessed Sacrament, and put the mask back on. DO NOT WALK AWAY WITH THE HOST OR WAIT TO CONSUME IT IN THE PEW OR WHEN WALKING AWAY. Those wishing to receive on the tongue should come at the end of the line. But be advised, it will be impossible for the minister to disinfect his hands after each person receives. Thus, the Bishop urges us to receive in the hand for the time being. My thanks to Marci Sears, Pamela Last and Jenifer Parsons for making the cloth masks. You are welcome to take one with you and keep it and launder it as need be.
Since we will not be able to take up a collection with the basket in the normal way, please avail yourselves of the secure boxes in the Basilica for your donations when you attend Mass. The PENNIES FROM HEAVEN BOX just down from St. Joseph’s Altar and a secure box is by the last pew on St. Joseph’s side. A basket will also be placed in front and in the back of the Basilica for your convenience. The ushers will collect the donations from the basket after each Mass.
PHASE III: Social gatherings. Starting 06 July necessary meetings of small groups may begin. Larger meetings such as Altar and Rosary, Parish Council and Finance Council will be on hold until September. Permission for meetings between 06 July and 06 September will be decided on each individual case. Please seek the permission of the Pastor though the parish office.
I ALSO HAVE GREAT NEWS FOR THE PARISH! Due to the generosity of a benefactor the parish elevator debt is now paid off. I ask you to keep this family in your daily prayers. All further money that comes in designated for the elevator will go towards its maintenance contract and upkeep. May the Lord reward all those who do good to us!
The other Sacraments will be implemented on a case by case basis. RCIA reception into the Church is scheduled for August. First Holy Communion and Confirmation are tentatively scheduled for August and perhaps September as well. It may be necessary to do this is smaller groups, or in the case of First Communion, individually. We will keep you posted. The parents will be contacted by the Director of Religious Education.
To keep me safe from infection I will not distribute Holy Communion and will keep a safe distance from the congregation. Distribution will be done by the Deacons and MC’s. I will also limit my close contact with others for now. If I get sick, there will be no Masses since help from other priests will be very difficult to find, especially among the retired priests who normally cover for me. They are among the vulnerable. Please be patient with all of this. And know that I miss you all very much! I hope that by September we will be more back to a more normal way of life in the parish as far as possible
Remember that our Masses continue to be recorded every day except Saturday. On weekdays it is at 12:00 noon and on Sunday at 10:30. The Saturday Mass intentions that are scheduled for 9:00 a.m. will continued to be offered at the monastery until September. Please be cautious and stay well. Take seriously the restrictions that have been placed upon us for our good and the good of others, such as frequently washing hands and keeping social distance. Do not lose heart. The Lord is still in charge and he will sustain us in our present difficulties. We shall emerge from this trial stronger in faith and with blessings from the Lord for our perseverance. Let us continue to pray for the day when we will be able to once again gather normally around the altar of the Lord.
Devotedly yours in the Lord,
(The Very Reverend) Aquinas M. Nichols
Pastor