02 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 been working to see where daily Masses might begin once again.   He has identified three phases of implementation to parish life.
 
PHASE I:  The Bishop will allow daily Masses in Polk County to begin on 11 June at the discretion of the pastors.  The Basilica will begin DAILY MASSES ON MONDAY 15 JUNE AT 12:00 NOON.  For the time-being on that date, daily Mass will be open to the public MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY ONLY.
 
PHASE II:  Weekend Masses may be starting the final weekend of June, 27-28 June, if the first phase goes alright.  For the time-being, there will be NO MASSES YET ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY.  This gives us time to work out a plan for cleaning after each Mass.  We will keep you posted when weekend Masses will begin.
 
PHASE III:  Social gatherings may once again begin in the parishes if the Bishop determines it is safe to do so.  There is no date for this yet.  Mid-July is the earliest date that seems possible at this point. Therefore, there will be no coffee or donuts or parish gatherings until further notice.  The epidemic is still with us, as the daily numbers show.  There are still numbers of daily infections and too many deaths yet to risk a general relaxing of the present measures in place.
 
IF YOU FEEL SICK IN ANY WAY, OR THINK YOU MAY HAVE BEEN EPOSED TO THE VIRUS, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM COMING TO MASS.  THE OBLIGATION IS STILL LIFTED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 
 
In preparation for the beginning of Masses, you are urged to obtain a mask if you desire to use one so that when Masses begin you will be prepared at least in this regard.  Every other pew will be closed off and you must keep social distancing. 
 
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.

Until Masses begin, I commend you to make a Spiritual Communion during these days when it is not possible to open the Mass to the public.  Spiritual Communion is a traditional practice of expressing to the Lord our longing for him and our desire for him to enter our hearts.  St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) said,

“When you do not receive Communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you.”

Here is a prayer composed by St. Alphonsus Ligouri for a spiritual Communion:

“My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament.  I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul.  Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you.  Never permit me to be separated from you.  Amen.”

You are encouraged to increase your private prayer time and prayer time with the entire family during these trying days.  There is the holy rosary, novenas and many other spiritual activities that are possible.  As you watch the televised Mass you can make a spiritual communion.  This should make us all long for the day when once again we will be back to normal.
 
I want to sincerely thank all those who have been making financial sacrifices online as well as those who are mailing in their donations for the parish and the present ADA assessment.  At the moment we are still below our needed weekly income to stay current.  But we also are not in a crisis situation at this point.   I ask all of you to continue your giving to meet the demands of the parish.  Those who are able, please give a little more.  It is extremely important to remember that the works of the parish continue, and bills need to be paid.  There are also the assessments from the diocese to be covered, such as the ADA 2020.   The deeper we go into the hole, the harder it will be to catch up once again.  PLEASE, PLEASE do not forget the parish in these difficult days!  And remember, above all, that the Lord cannot be outdone in generosity!  He will reward abundantly all those who sacrifice in his name.
 
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.  There is the PENNIES FROM HEAVEN BOX just down from St. Joseph’s Altar and a secure box behind the last pew on St. Joseph’s side.
 
The other Sacraments will be implemented once we enter Phase II, which should be towards the end of June or early July when tentatively the weekend Masses will begin, depending on the situation at that time.
 
In closing, here is a prayer, once again, that we should recite daily to beg the Lord to remove the present pandemic:

“Lord Jesus, hear our pleas, our Good Shepherd and Divine Physician.  We implore your mercy in the wake of an outbreak of serious illness and disease.

Guide our efforts to prevent contagion and make preparations to care for those most vulnerable.  Assist all professionals and volunteers who work to eradicate the epidemic now spreading.  May our actions be marked by your steadfast love and selfless service and never by panic or fear.

Bestow your comfort and healing to the sick, sustain and strengthened them by your grace.  May they know your closeness as they carry the cross of illness.

And may all you have called from this life come to worship you eternally with all the saints as you grant consolation and peace to their mourners.  Amen.
 
Holy Mary, Health of the Sick, pray for us.
St. Joseph, Hope of the Sick, pray for us.
St. Rocco, protector against epidemics, pray for us.
               
Please pray for the young couples who have had to postpone their marriage plans due to the epidemic.  This has been a very sad development for them.  RCIA reception into the Church, First Holy Communion and Confirmation are also on hold for the present, but hopefully we will be able to have these celebrations in August.
 
Remember that our Masses continued to be recorded every day except Saturday.  On weekdays it is at 12:00 noon and on Sunday at 10:30.   On Saturdays I say Mass privately to give all those involved a break once a week.  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 that we will be able to gather once again around the altar of the Lord.
 
Devotedly yours in the Lord,
 
(The Very Reverend) Aquinas M. Nichols
Pastor