My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

So far between sanitizing and staying home if you feel ill, we have done well at the Basilica and have prevented any spread of the virus here. For this we are grateful to God.

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

• The use of masks and hand sanitizer is strongly urged by the Bishop. 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 about $41,000.00 for this year’s ADA. 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 $60,000.00 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. We must strive to work harder to keep up with the financial side of things as our deficit grows. Bill and salaries still need to be paid, as well as our other obligations. We have had to borrow $15,000.00 from our Foundation recently just to pay bills and salaries. Please keep the parish’s financial needs in mind.

I have not had a day off since last February. I have offered Holy Mass every day in the Basilica during this entire period. I am going to take two weeks off beginning 08 October for a rest. Father Parker will be covering for me. You will be well taken care of.

Tickets for our annual raffle can be gotten in the Basilica office during normal hours. You should have also received tickets in the mail. This is a major fundraiser for us and so your response to this is greatly appreciated.

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