My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I pray that all of you are staying well during this difficult time. The pandemic is a challenge for all of us during these days, but the Lord is with us through all this.

We continue our caution here at the Basilica about sanitizing and staying home if we feel sick in any way. We must think of protecting ourselves and others around us. This might also be a good time to consider getting your annual flu shot as well.

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 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 $43,000.00 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 since we still cannot take up a collection in the normal way. We are now about $45,000.00 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. But we must also strive to work harder to keep up with the financial side of things as our deficit grows. Bills and salaries still need to be paid, as well as our other obligations.

We had a Pastoral Council meeting yesterday. It was decided after some discussion, and based on medical advice, to continue to postpone coffee and donuts at this present time. We will keep you posted as time goes on. The 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning Mass will continue 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 Holy 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 hand sanitizer, using masks and social distancing, and STAYING HOME IF YOU FEEL ILL IN ANY WAY. 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