My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The summer is rapidly moving forward. We are already in the month of August and soon it will be back to school time!

Since we are basically back to normal and regular meetings are taking place, please make sure that all meetings and activities are scheduled through the parish office.

Our regular Religious Education classes and RCIA will be held this year. Please make sure that the children are registered so they may receive the Sacraments.

His Excellency Bishop Joensen has decreed that the mask mandate is now lifted for Mass. Those who feel more comfortable using one may still find them at the entrances of the Basilica. There are also bottles of hand sanitizer around the entrances. There has been no outbreak of the virus in the parish. Just remember to stay home if you feel sick in any way. His Excellency Bishop Joensen has also re-instated the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holydays of obligation. Everyone is now required to attend Mass to fulfill the Sunday obligation and holydays except for those who may be elderly or vulnerable in some way. Permission from the pastor is necessary to be excused from the obligation to attend Mass.

We have been blessed to have Deacon Nick Smith with us for the summer. He was ordained a transitional deacon on June 11th along with another young man. Another seminarian will be ordained a deacon in Rome in September. God willing, he will be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood along with two other deacons next summer. I thank you for the warm welcome you have given him to make him feel that he is one of us during his time here. He will be here until the end of August and will then return to the seminary for his final year.

Please remember to make your pledge to the 2021 ADA if you have not already done so. Envelopes are provided at the doors of the Basilica in a special holder. We need to make our goal for 2021. Please watch the bulletin to keep current with where we stand, both with the ADA and needed sacrificial giving to keep up with the budget.

If you receive an E-Mail or text from me requesting money or gift cards, please DO NOT RESPOND. I WOULD NEVER ASK YOU FOR FINANCIAL HELP IN THIS WAY. Just delete it and try to block the person. This has been happening to a lot of priests and to Bishop Joensen as well.

Let us go forward, trusting Divine Providence in all things. As the summer comes to a quick end let us use our time wisely and give sufficient time for prayer. Increase your devotion to St. Joseph during this year dedicated to him. May all the Lord’s blessings and graces be yours!

Devotedly yours in the Lord,

(The Very Reverend) Aquinas M. Nichols

Pastor