COVID-19 Updates
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covid-19 updates
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Come, Holy Spirit,
from heaven shine forth with your glorious light.
Veni Sancte Spiritus.
Come from the four winds, O Spirit,
come breath of God;
disperse the shadows over us,
renew and strengthen your people.
Veni Sancte Spiritus.
Kindle in our hearts the flame of your love
that in the darkness of the world
it may grow and reach to all forever.
Veni Sancte Spiritus.Veni Sancte Spiritus – the Taize Community
Reminders for this weekend:
One of the reasons signing up for a specific Mass time is important is not only because there are a limited number of seats available, but, if heaven forbid, someone tests positive for the virus, we would have a list which could assist in contact tracing.
Each household needs to schedule themselves for a particular Mass via Sign Up Genius. You can access this sign up by means of our parish website or by calling the parish office during weekday business hours.
Everyone must wear a mask while they are at Church.
Please bring a printed worship aid with you from your home if you are able. They can be found as an attachment with this stay-at-home update.
The hospitality ministers are ready to offer assistance and to answer your questions.
Finally, if you have concerns about the number of people attending the weekend Masses, please consider joining us for a weekday Mass at 8:30 am. We’ve been averaging around 25 people for those Masses.
Planning Ahead
- Monday, June 1, is our parish feast day. There will be a special worship aid sent out on Sunday afternoon.
- Confirmation will be celebrated on Saturday, June 13 at 1:00 pm. First Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, June 14 at 2:00 pm. Seating for both celebrations is limited to the family members of those receiving these sacraments.
Grace Indeed Is Amazing!
What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile
or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done?
From a parishioner: I have seen so many people walking their dogs, kids riding bikes and people just walking in the neighborhood, that I have never seen before, and waving! It’s almost like it was when we moved into the subdivision over 40 years ago. People are a lot more friendly, which is a good thing!
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
This weekend, as we celebrate the beginnings of the missionary activity of the Church, let us pray once again for a generous outpouring of the Holy Spirit
into our hearts, into our parish and into our community.
Enjoy this end of the day chant!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eaet60_DuFY
Fr. Chuck
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This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation
and the United States Army as a token of appreciation
for your loved one's honorable and faithful service.(Each service branch uses a slightly different wording
for the presentation of the Flag to family members of the deceased.)
Our Memorial Day Mass is at 9:00am on Monday.
Two songs will be sung during the liturgy
and they are included as an attachment with this email.
Grace Indeed Is Amazing!
What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile
or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done?
Fr. Chuck
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All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout your joy to God.
For our Most High God is awesome,
a great king over all the earth.God ascends the mountain
to cheers and trumpet blasts.Psalm 47: vs 2-3, vs 6
Psalm for the Feast of the AscensionOne of the reasons signing up for a specific Mass time is important is not only because there are a limited number of seats available, but, if heaven forbid, someone tests positive for the virus, we would have a list which could assist in contact tracing.
Reminders for this weekend:This weekend (May 23/24) is the first weekend when a limited number of parishioners can return to the parish for the celebration of the Eucharist. Here are a few reminders:
Each household needs to schedule themselves for a particular Mass via Sign Up Genius. You can access this sign up by means of our parish website or by calling the parish office during weekday business hours.Everyone must wear a mask while they are at Church.
Please bring a printed worship aid with you from your home if you are able. They can be found as an attachment with this stay-at-home update.
Finally, the hospitality ministers are ready to offer you assistance and to answer your questions.
Other Reminders:
Bread for the World – 2020 Letter Writing Campaign – Peggy Dolter
Will you take part in this year’s offering of letters? Many of our neighbors are struggling more than ever, due to rising unemployment during the pandemic. Please click the links on our parish website to contact our legislators on behalf of those who need food assistance. This link will be removed from our website on Tuesday, Mary 26, 2020.
Mass on Memorial Day
Our Mass is scheduled for 9:00am on Memorial Day. The same rules apply: Please sign up via Sign Up Genius and wear your mask while at Mass.For your convenience, here is a link to our parish website:
Grace Indeed Is Amazing!
What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile
or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done?
From a parishioner: My daughter Susan came for a short visit and brought her two granddaughters – skinny, delicate 8 year-old Daphne with her thin blonde shoulder length hair self-dyed a light orange color and lovely little 2½ year-old Penelope talking non-stop but with few sounds that I could recognize as words. I hadn't seen the great grandchildren since Christmas, and it was thrilling. They lifted my spirits like nothing else could and I'm so grateful.
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Fr. Chuck
Ascension Sunday Worship Aid.pdf
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Gather the Folks
Tell the Stories
Break the BreadThe Stories of God – John Shea
Some of you may find John Shea’s summary description of the Eucharist to be too folksy, but it is at the essence of what we have been doing for over 2000 years. If only it were that simple!
Earlier this week I shared with you via these Stay-at-Home updates the Archdiocesan guidelines for resuming the celebration of Mass in our parishes. What follows are some specific reminders, explanations and instructions as to what implementing those guidelines will look like here at our parish.
You are about to enter into that place called “Information Overload.” Just take your time as you read what follows. Maybe stop after each section and imagine what you are to do or what it will look like here at Mary, Mother of the Church.
My first reminder is that you still remain dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until further notice. Because the number of people who can attend a Mass at our parish on the weekends will be 80, you might consider attending a weekday celebration of the Eucharist if you are able to do that.
The guidelines have stated: Anyone over 60 years-old is encouraged to participate in Masses via live-stream only. Does that mean if I am over 60, I can’t go to Mass? No, it does not. The reason that age group was chosen is because they are an at-risk group. The Archdiocesan guidelines are: Anyone who is ill, symptomatic, or has been exposed to someone else with coronavirus within 14 days should self-isolate and not come to Mass! Everyone is also asked to check their temperature at home before deciding if you are coming to Mass.
Everyone attending Mass is obligated to wear a mask or other facial covering throughout the entire Mass. (Our adaptation) When receiving the Body of Christ, you are to pull your mask or other facial covering below your chin and receive the Eucharist in your hand. After consuming the Eucharist, you then cover your mouth and nose with your mask
N.B. #1 Because of their ministry, our song leaders / cantors, our readers, the deacon and the presider will no t be wearing a mask as they speak or sing while in the sanctuary or the music ministry area.
N.B. #2: The hospitality ministers will have some additional masks with them in case you forgot yours. Our supply of masks is limited. What if someone doesn’t want to wear a mask? One of the staff members will graciously ask them to leave.
(In case anyone isn’t familiar with the initials N.B., it is the abbreviation for the Latin phrase “nota bene,” which means “note well.” Are we a full-service parish or what?)
Based on the seating capacity of our church while maintaining the proper social distance of 6 ft., 80 people will be allowed to gather for the celebration of the Eucharist at each of our Masses on the weekends. 85 will be allowed to attend our 8:30 am weekday Masses. An additional 10 ministers will serve at the weekend liturgies; an additional 5 ministers at the weekday liturgies.
How do I get to be one of the people who will be attending the Mass? Once again, we will be using Sign-Up Genius, which you can access via a link in this Flocknote or via the parish website.
For those who do not have access to a computer at home, please call the parish office during the daytime business hours up until 3:00 pm on Friday afternoon. One of the staff will enter your name into the Sign-Up Genius Schedule. Please remember that y ou must sign up to attend a Mass!
A Note to all song leaders, hospitality ministers and readers. Please do NOT sign up for a time slot. Your name will already be entered by the office staff.
Before the pandemic, our total weekend attendance at Mass averaged around 225 people per Mass. In order to give everyone an opportunity to gather for the celebration of the Eucharist, I am asking that you only sign up once for every 3 weekends, beginning with the May 23 / 24 weekend. (This would be a reason why you might consider the weekday celebration of the Eucharist.)
After 7:00 pm on the evening before a scheduled Mass, IF there are openings on the schedule, you may sign up a second time within that 3-week time span.
Unlike how we have done our sign-ups earlier this spring, when you sign up for a date and time on the calendar, just list the family name and the total number of people attending, for example, Louis IX – 3 people. Ann believes it will be easier this way to monitor the number of people who have signed up and know when to close the sign-up for a particular day.
It's taken me 90 minutes to write these instructions so far, so I am taking a stretch break. You also might want to. Maybe we could hum the words to “Let’s go out to the lobby….”
Back again!
All of what you have read so far takes place before you even have arrived for Mass! Oh my…. Let’s blaze on!
To conserve on paper, we ask that you print your worship aid at home and bring it with you. Of course, there will be extra ones for those who may have forgotten their worship aid. It will just be like all those forgotten nametags.
When entering church, we ask that you enter by way of one of the two sets of doors under the awnings, Doors #2 and #5. (I bet you didn’t even know they had numbers, did you?) Doors #5 are the doors with the handicapped door opener. Hospitality ministers will be there to greet you.
We ask that the Ste. Anne room be reserved for the 6 hospitality ministers.
If you sit in the chairs in the back of the church, there are only 11 of them. This is so we can keep the proper social distancing.
There will be hospitality ministers in the nave (body) of the Church to assist you in finding where designated spaces are. (Warning! You might not be able to sit in your usual spot. Please wear your nametag so I can recognize you in another pew!)
There will be 2 baskets placed on tables in the back of church: one at the back of the center aisle and the other near the St. Joachim room for anyone who brought a church envelope. The hospitality ministers will not be taking up the collection during Mass nor will there be a presentation of the gifts.
Receiving Holy Communion- For at least the first few weekends, Deacon Randy and I will bring the Eucharist to you as you remain in your pew, rather than have you process to us. This is an experiment and another adaptation we are implementing.
- This is the time when you lower the mask from your nose and mouth area. Please receive the Body of Christ in your hand only
As you leave Church- Bulletins will be on the tables along the back aisle of church. We are increasing our order to 300.
- Deposit your worship aid in the recycling bins in the vestibule after Mass. The worship aids should not be reused.
- Please leave by the same doors that you entered. This will limit the number of times the door handles are used.
The following will be the most difficult change for our parishioners to embrace. Please do not gather in the vestibule, in the nave or the back aisle of church, either before Mass or after Mass. Go outside, where you might be able to practice social distancing!
Allow me to repeat that: Please do not gather in the vestibule, the nave or the back aisle of church, either before Mass or after Mass. Go outside, where you might be able to practice social distancing!
I know that it’s wired into your DNA to be community not only during the Eucharist, but before and after the sacramental celebration. This is truly a “die to yourself” moment. We must act with the greater common good in mind.
FYI: The specific guidelines the clergy received regarding this guideline is that we are not to greet parishioners before or after Mass. The rationale being that this would slow down exiting and make it difficult to practice social distancing.
After 3.5 hours of writing and editing, here are my final 3 points!
Please prayerfully reflect upon your decision to attend Mass. If you are considered part of the at-risk population, weigh the risks, both to yourself and to others.
The Sign-Up Genius Schedule will go live on Friday, May 15 at 7:00 pm.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0d4bafab2da3fe3-public
The worship aid for this weekend is an attachment with this email!
Grace Indeed Is Amazing!
What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile
or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done?
From a parishioner:
“You want to know something that a brought a smile to my face?
Fr. Chuck finally finished writing this update. I didn't think it would ever end!”
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Fr. Chuck
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Through him the children of light rise to eternal life
and the halls of the heavenly Kingdom
are thrown open to the faithful;
for his Death is our ransom from death,
and in his rising the life of all has risen.
Preface II of Easter
Update from the Archdiocese:
We knew the when – May 18. That is when the public celebration of the Mass will resume in our Archdiocese. Now we know the what – what the specific guidelines are for the resumption of those Masses. Our next task is the how – how to implement those guidelines in our parish.
I received the guidelines for the restarting of public Masses earlier this (Tuesday) morning – 3 sets of them. Since some of the information is repeated, I am including only 2 sets of the guidelines as attachments with this Flocknote. On Thursday morning, I will be meeting with a few staff members and parishioners to review and begin strategizing how we will implement these guidelines.
The following are what I would consider to be the top 4 guidelines that might create that “sticker shock” feeling, especially after hearing that we were resuming the public celebration of the Mass.
Anyone over 60 years-old and those with underlying health complications are encouraged to participate in Masses via live-stream only.
By adhering to the social distancing at 6 ft., we have space for no more than 80 parishioners and 10 ministers for each weekend liturgy. We will have space for 85 parishioners for the weekday 830am Mass.
Everyone attending Mass is obligated to wear a mask or other facial covering. The only exception during Mass is when we are seated in the pew and when receiving Holy Communion.
Volunteers will be needed to help sanitize the Church after each Mass that is celebrated.
There will be other guidelines that will be specific for our parish. For example, what will the Communion procession look like? Over the next week , I will share that information with you in small increments, with the hope of not overwhelming you all at once. I will also highlight some of changes in my homily for this upcoming weekend.
Grace Indeed Is Amazing!
What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile
or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done?
From a parishioner: “I appreciate that only white flowers are placed to enhance the baptismal font. I find myself drawn to that area before Mass. I don’t ever remember spending as much time meditating on my baptismal vows, and what they mean, as I have, simply because of the thoughtful placement of the white flowers.”
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Fr. Chuck
FAQs Restart of Masses.pdf
Summary of Guidelines for Parishioners.pdf
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God to enfold me, God to surround me,
God in my speaking, God in my thinking.
God in my sleeping, God in my waking,
God in my watching, God in my hoping.
God in my life, God in my lips,
God in my soul, God in my heart.
from an Ancient Celtic Prayer
A Reminder: Once again I will be available for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 11:30am until 1:00pm in the Reconciliation Room in Church this Sunday, May 10. There is a distance of 6’ between the penitent and me for face-to-face celebrations. For those who prefer the anonymity of the screen, I would ask that you use a Clorox wipe that will be provided for you on the screen as you leave.
The music for this weekend, the Fifth Sunday of Easter, is included as a [link - see below]
Gathering for the Eucharist: As many of you have heard by now, Thursday evening Archbishop Carlson announced that the public celebration of the Eucharist would resume on Monday, May 18. I really am looking forward to gathering with you at the Table of the Word and the Eucharist. However, the “when” (May 18) was the easy part of the announcement. The “what” has yet to be promulgated. Early next week, we will be receiving guidelines as to what initially the return to celebrating the Eucharist will look like. As I mentioned in this weekend’s bulletin article, when we next gather for the Eucharist, it will not initially be celebrated as it was the last time we gathered on March 7/8.
In that bulletin article I named some of the ways that I was anticipating how the return might look like. If you want to get a preview of again how the return might look like, please go to the parish website at marymother.org... and click the News tab for access to the latest bulletin.
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Happy Mother's Day to All of Our Moms!
Fr. Chuck
Worship Aid for 5th Sunday of Easter.pdf
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Update from the Archdiocese
The suspension of public Masses will continue through Friday, May 15.
Archbishop Carlson’s decision about when to resume public Masses is directly tied to the decisions made by Mayor Krewson and County Executive Page. The following information was released today, Wednesday, May 6, by the mayor and county executive.
“Both St. Louis and St. Louis County will begin to lift stay-at-home restrictions by May 18, but County Executive Sam Page and Mayor Lyda Krewson said Wednesday that residents shouldn't expect things to return to normal.
They said in separate briefings that some nonessential businesses probably will be allowed to reopen May 18, but rules for masks will be in place. Businesses will be asked to have employees who interact with the public wear face masks, and the city and county are considering allowing businesses to refuse service to customers who aren't covering their faces, according to both leaders.
Krewson and Page said a more detailed plan with specific social distancing rules and instructions for businesses will be released later this week. Krewson said Wednesday the tentative plan will recommend strongly that all people wear masks in public places but won't require it. A ban on social gatherings of more than 10 people also likely would continue 'for a while.' "
Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Sunday
I will once again be available for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Sunday, May 10, from 11:30am until 1:00pm in the Reconciliation Room in Church. There is a distance of 6’ between the penitent and me for face-to-face celebrations. For those who prefer the anonymity of the screen, I would ask that you use a Clorox wipe that will be provided for you on the screen as you leave.
Opportunities for Prayer – A Prayer Suggestion from a Parishioner
As a retired nurse, I am frustrated that I can’t help with the medical crisis. The mind and the heart are willing, but not the body. In the past I have volunteered at the hospital for the “No One Dies Alone” program, whereby we sit at the bedside of a terminally ill patient who has no family or friends available. During the recent Divine Mercy Novena, I prayed the chaplet daily. It has now become a daily habit – it’s nice to acquire a positive one for a change! Since I might not be able to help care for their body, I can help care for their soul. Each day I dedicate the chaplet to a corona patient who is dying alone. Perhaps others might want to join me in performing this spiritual work of mercy. If not the Divine Mercy Chaplet, perhaps an adapted version of the prayer to St. Joseph for a Happy Death.
O Blessed Joseph, you gave your last breath in the loving embrace of Jesus and Mary. When the seal of death shall close the life of another victim of the coronavirus, come with Jesus and Mary to aid them. Obtain for them this solace for that hour – to die with Jesus and Mary’s holy arms around this person who is alone. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I commend the soul of this child of God, living and dying, into your sacred arms. Amen.
Grace Indeed Is Amazing!
What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile
or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done?
From a parishioner: “I am being shown less is more. My true self, come as I am.
Just Be. Leave the high maintenance and the need to focus to my merciful God.”
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Fr. Chuck
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The king of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness fails me never;
I nothing lack if I am his,
And he is mine for ever.
– Henry W. Baker
Nineteenth Century
A Reminder: Once again I will be available for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 11:30am until 1:00pm in the Reconciliation Room in Church this Sunday, May 3. There is a distance of 6’ between the penitent and me for face-to-face celebrations. For those who prefer the anonymity of the screen, I would ask that you use a Clorox wipe that will be provided for you on the screen as you leave.
Please continue to pray for the priests and staff of Regina Cleri. Early Friday evening I received an update that 28 of the 31 priests at Regina Cleri have tested positive for COVID-19. Currently, eight of those twenty-eight individuals are in the hospital. In addition to the twenty-eight, ten of the staff have also tested positive, and four of them are currently in the hospital. We entrust the care of all who have tested positive for the virus to Jesus, the Divine Physician.
On more of an upbeat note, this coming Thursday, May 7, is Fr. T’s birthday. A parishioner suggested sending him a note or a card wishing him a Happy Birthday! Keep your message simple and identify yourself as being from Mary, Mother. His address is:
Msgr. Jim Telthorst
Faith Community, Apt. #7
7609 Watson Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63119
The music for this weekend, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is included as an attachment.
In our readings this weekend, we listen to stories about the Good Shepherd. Rather than share with you a bedtime story or lullaby, I would invite you to simply enjoy the following video.
youtube.com/watch?v=e4...
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!Fr. Chuck
4th Sunday of Easter - Worship aid.pdf
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We turn to you for protection,
holy Mother of God.
Listen to our prayers
and help us in our needs.
Save us from every danger,
glorious and blessed Virgin.
– A Third Century Prayer
Updates from the Archdiocese- The suspension of public Masses will continue through Friday, May 8.
- Did you know that the Archdiocese of St. Louis is comprised of ten counties and the city of St. Louis? As you may know, each of these counties and the city of St. Louis can act independently of each other when it comes to determining the stay-at-home mandates, resumption of businesses, etc. For this reason, Archbishop Carlson has decided that no public Mass will be offered at any parish within the Archdiocese until a general permission is given to all parishes.
- Although the following does not apply to our parish at this time, I did want you to know that all public parish gatherings such as festivals, picnics, etc. are banned on parish properties until further notice.
Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Sunday- I will once again be available for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Sunday, May 3, from 11:30am until 1:00pm in the Reconciliation Room in Church. There is a distance of 6’ between the penitent and me for face-to-face celebrations. For those who prefer the anonymity of the screen, I would ask that you use a Clorox wipe that will be provided for you on the screen as you leave.
Two Opportunities for Prayer
Opportunity #1
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has invited us to join our Canadian brothers and sisters on Friday, May 1 in consecrating the two nations to the care of the Blessed Mother under the title “Mary, Mother of the Church.”
“This will give the church the occasion to pray for Our Lady’s continued protection of the vulnerable, healing of the unwell and wisdom for those who work to cure this terrible virus,” said Gomez in a letter to the U.S. bishops. Each year, the church seeks the special intercession of the Mother of God during the month of May. This year, we seek the assistance of Our Lady all the more earnestly as we face together the effects of the global pandemic,” he said.
This consecration reaffirms the bishops’ previous consecrations of the United States to Mary. In 1792, the first bishop of the United States, Bishop John Carroll, consecrated the nation to Mary under the title Immaculate Conception, and in 1846, the bishops unanimously chose Mary under that title as the patroness of the nation.
You can view the consecration via livestream at 2:00pm CDT at usccb.org/consecration....
A copy of the worship aid for joining in the livestreaming of the consecration OR for praying it on your own / with your family is included as an attachment.
Opportunity #2
Pope Francis has recently composed two prayers asking for the intercession of the Blessed Mother in ending the COVID-19 pandemic. He would like for those who pray the rosary during the month of May to add these 2 prayers at the conclusion. These prayers are also included as an attachment.
Grace Indeed Is Amazing!
What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile
or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done?
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Fr. Chuck
Consecration of USA to Mary, Mother of the Church.pdf
two prayers for the conclusion of the Rosary.pdf
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We turn to you for protection,
holy Mother of God.
Listen to our prayers
and help us in our needs.
Save us from every danger,
glorious and blessed Virgin.– A Third Century Prayer
A Reminder: Beginning on Sunday, April 26, I will be available for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconcilation from 11:15am until 1:00pm in the Reconciliation Room in Church. There is a distance of 6’ between the penitent and me for face-to-face celebrations. For those who prefer the anonymity of the screen, I would ask that you use a Clorox wipe that will be provided for you on the screen as you leave.
Rather than a bedtime story from Fr. Chuck, tonight it’s a song. (I am hesitant to call it a lullaby, although some may find it quite comforting.) The title of the hymn is “Shelter Me.”
The composer is J. Michael Joncas, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and a prolific liturgical composer. Most of us know him as the composer of “On Eagle's Wings.” When asked about this new creation, Fr. Joncas said he woke up in the middle of the night on March 25 with a “nagging idea.” He had been praying about the coronavirus and wondered if music could play a special role in these uncertain times. “What popped up was, maybe there is a way to pray about this that also involves song and that would touch people at a different level,” he said.
There are a number of different churches that have performed this hymn. The one I selected is the Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville, MN. This is the link to the performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgNGsrwGHz0
I also have included a copy of the lyrics as an attachment. Enjoy!
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Fr. Chuck
Lyrices for "Shelter Me" by J Michael Joncas
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Because we have been gifted with God’s peace in the risen Christ,
we are called to our own peace and to the making of peace in our world.
As disciples and as children of God, it is our task to seek for ways
in which to make the forgiveness, justice, mercy and love of God visible.
– The Challenge of Peace
I have heard that my stay-at-home updates are now being referred to as “Bedtime Stories with Fr. Chuck.”
Talk about adding on another layer of stress on a guy!!
So, I guess I should begin with “In a galaxy, far, far away….”
New Updates from the Archdiocese
- As you many of you know, St. Louis County has extended its stay-at-home order through the middle of May. Although I’ve yet to hear a definitive word from the Archbishop, I expect the suspension of public Masses to continue through the middle of May also. Please remember to volunteer as a minister for our livestreamed Masses with our Sign-Up Genius scheduler.
- Please continue to pray for our retired priests living at Regina Cleri. At least 13 of the 30 residents have tested positive for Covid-19, with some being hospitalized. In case you were wondering, Fr. T no longer lives at Regina Cleri; he now lives at Mother of Perpetual Help. As far as I know, he has avoided the virus. But like anyone living with many other people, whether that be in an apartment, independent living, assisted living or skilled care, they are all in that high-risk category.
News from the Parish- As I have written several times in the bulletin, I want to once again thank all of our parishioners for your ongoing financially support of the parish and its various ministries during these most difficult times. Being able to contribute online via our Faith Direct vendor has been a tremendous help.
- Beginning this weekend (April 25/26), I want to try something different regarding times I am available for celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. On Sunday, I will be available to celebrate the sacrament from 11:15am until 1:00pm. I will be in the Reconciliation Room, where there is a distance of 6’ between the penitent and myself for face-to-face celebrations. For those who prefer the anonymity of the screen, I would ask that you use a Clorox wipe on the screen as you leave. Let’s see how this experiment works.
- To help with your participation at home, the songs that will be sung for our Masses on Saturday afternoon (430pm) April 25 and Sunday morning/ 26 and Sunday morning (900am) are included with this Flocknote as an attachment.
My Own Musings…- When I lived in the city, one of the activities we did for entertainment was called the Alley Over/Under game. How the game was played was that you placed something in the alley, say like a piece of furniture or a lawnmower you no longer wanted, and then you tried to guess the day and the time by when that item would have been picked up by someone. In light of both the projected stay-at-home mandate continuing through the middle of May, and a need to always look for some additional sources of revenue, I wonder if we should start an over / under game as to when the stay-at-home mandate for St. Louis County will be lifted. Pick a day and a time and submit that information to the parish office. If you would like to give a free will $$ offering along with your info, all the better. And then we will wait and see.
We’re in the National Church News – sort of ….
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has announced the U.S. bishops will join the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops May 1 in consecrating the two nations to the care of the Blessed Mother under the title “Mary, Mother of the Church.”
“This will give the church the occasion to pray for Our Lady’s continued protection of the vulnerable, healing of the unwell and wisdom for those who work to cure this terrible virus,” said Gomez in a letter to the U.S. bishops. Each year, the church seeks the special intercession of the Mother of God during the month of May.
“This year, we seek the assistance of Our Lady all the more earnestly as we face together the effects of the global pandemic,” he said.
This consecration reaffirms the bishops’ previous consecrations of the United States to Mary. In 1792, the first bishop of the United States, Bishop John Carroll, consecrated the nation to Mary under the title Immaculate Conception, and in 1846, the bishops unanimously chose Mary under that title as the patroness of the nation.
More information in next week’s update.
Grace Indeed Is Amazing!
What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done?- One parishioner said they learned how to use a drill.
- Another shared how delighted they were to receive homemade birthday cards in the mail from their 11 and 13-year-old grandsons.
- In case you don’t know when I am being serious and when I am not, the idea for the over/under game for the stay-at-home mandate is a joke.
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Fr. Chuck
Worship Aid - 3rd Sunday of Easter.pdf
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May the light of Christ, rising in Glory,
dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.from the Lighting of the Easter Candle at the Great Vigil
- To help with your participation at home, the songs that will be sung for our Masses this Saturday afternoon (430pm) and Sunday morning (900am) are included with this Flocknote as an attachment.
Christ our light! Thanks be to God!An Acclamation Sung During the Procession into a Darkened Church at the Vigil
We are able to track how many viewers, which means how many computers / phones / etc., are accessing our live streaming of the Liturgies and the Triduum. Our numbers for the Triduum are amazing: 616 viewers for Holy Thursday, 571 for Good Friday, 542 for the Easter Vigil and 564 for the combined Masses on Easter Sunday. Obviously, not all these viewers are our parishioners. Hopefully, they got a glimpse of why we take great pride in our parish’s liturgical life.
Part of my Easter Vigil homily centered on the imaginative prayer poetry of the Exsultet. That evening I invited those who were hearing my homily to consider keeping a light burning in their windows during the Easter season as a reminder to ourselves and our neighbors that even though we are staying-at-home and not able to share the joy of the Resurrection with others in their physical presence, a light might be the next best thing. What follows is part of that homily.
“I don’t know about you, but it feels like I’m still in the tomb, waiting, even though the stone has been moved away. The reason I am feeling this is because central to the resurrection stories is the mandate to share the news with someone else – verbally, but also by how we live. Yet with the current limitations, it feels like I am forced to just sit with this amazing mystery.
And then I had an a-ha moment. Maybe this is the year that the Easter Candle takes on new meaning while I feel like I am waiting in the tomb. In the past I have enjoyed referring to the prayer words that accompany the markings of the Candle. Tonight, I would like to have some phrases of the Exsultet speak to our hearts.- On this your night of grace, accept this candle a solemn offering, the work of bees and of your servants’ hands, an evening sacrifice of praise.
- But now we know the praises of this pillar, which glowing fire ignites for God’s honor, a fire into many flames divided, yet never dimmed by sharing of its light, for it is fed by melting wax, drawn out by mother bees to build a torch so precious.
- May this candle persevere undimmed to overcome the darkness of this night.
- May this flame be found still burning by the Morning Star – Christ, your Son, who coming back from death’s domain, has shed his peaceful light upon humanity.
As a reminder of what we’re doing, repeat this phrase often:
As one who believes in the power of God’s love,
we’ll leave the light on for you!”The reason I shared part of my homily was to invite all of our parishioners to consider putting a light in the window during this Easter season.Grace Indeed Is Amazing!- What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done?
I’ve enjoyed the pride and delight with which parishioners and friends have sent me photos of their light from the Easter Candle burning in the window of their homes.
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Fr. Chuck
Worship Aid- 2nd Sunday of Easter
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Stay-at-Home Update #9
It is an unusual word that is not native to the English or even the Latin liturgical vocabulary: the word “Alleluia.” As a matter of fact, it sounds less like a meaningful word than the babbling of a child, and when it is sung with many notes for the final vowel, this impression becomes even stronger.
“Alleluia” does, of course, have a meaning. It is a Hebrew word, and down the centuries the church has brought it with her, untranslated (like “Amen”), as a product of the Jewish soil from which she herself sprang and as a reminder of her earliest days.
The word is a cry of jubilation meaning “Praise the Lord,” and occurs frequently in the Psalms.
As we gaze at the Sun that has risen high over the darkness and cold of our Good Friday, all well-chosen words are useless. We can only stammer out our Alleluia of wonder and jubilation.
Balthasar Fischer
Live Streaming Our Masses
It’s been a delight to read so many notes from our parishioners expressing their gratitude for being able to view the Mass being live-streamed from their own parish.Upgrading the video camera has taken that gratitude to a whole new level.In the midst of the upheaval that has accompanied this stay-at-home time, I am very glad that we have been able to provide a way in which our parishioners can experience some sense of continuity and familiarity.
As we now begin our 2nd month of livestreaming, I’ve been asked to reduce the number of people that make up the worshipping community for our Masses. Beginning Friday, April 17, everyone who signs up for a specific Mass will need to serve as a liturgical minister, other than the ministry of being a member of the assembly.
For the 830am weekday Masses, there will be only two people attending the weekday Masses.One person will be the reader and the other will be the server. For the Saturday evening 430pm Mass and the Sunday morning 900am Mass, there will only be four people attending those Masses.The ministries are:2 readers, 1 server and 1 person to present the gifts.For the person who serves, there is no need to wear an alb.Even if you have never served before, all you need to do is hold the Missal for me for the Opening Prayer and the Prayer after Communion.
Our Sign-Up Genius schedule reflects these new changes.Only one change needed to be made for the existing weekday Masses through the end of April and that’s already been taken care of.I have asked Deacon Randy to reach out to the folks who had already signed up for the weekend Masses in order to make adjustments in the schedule.
In addition to the ministries named, there is one more ministry that is open for your participation, and that is to be a song leader!For this ministry at the weekday Masses, you need to be able to lead the opening and closing hymn of Mass, the Alleluia and the Amen.For the weekend Masses, you will be singing a duet with Ken Barnes, at a distance of 6 ft. apart.If you are willing to be a song leader, you need to contact Ken for the weekend Masses and me for the weekday Masses.
Grace Indeed Is Amazing!- What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done?
Fr. Chuck
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Stay-at-Home Update #8
Good Friday, April 10, 2020“Something strange is happening –
there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness.
The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep.
The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh…”
from an ancient homily, the Office of Readings, Holy Saturday
Worth Repeating: Updates from the Archdiocese- Archbishop Carlson has extended the suspension of all public Masses through April 30. This extension includes the dispensation of the Sunday obligation.
- The special collection for retired priests, originally scheduled for Easter Sunday, is still taking place. Donations can be made online at archstl.org/retiredpriests, or via Faith Direct, by dropping off an envelope or mailing it to the parish office.
Parish News – Worth Repeating:- Extending the suspension of all public masses through April 30 impacts our scheduled celebration of First Communion, originally scheduled for Sunday, April 26. Ed Lewandowski and I have already been discussing some new options in case this would happen. He will be communicating with all the families directly.
- Archbishop Carlson also announced that all Cathedral Basilica and parish Rites of Confirmation originally scheduled before June 1 are suspended. However, the Archbishop will be giving me the faculty to confer the sacrament at a date yet to be determined.
- With the extension of the suspension of public Masses until April 30, please consider signing up to represent the parish community at one of our Livestream Masses during the month of April via Sign Up Genius. If you have already signed up during the first round of sign ups, please allow other parishioners the opportunity to do the same. If there are open slots as of 600pm on the evening before the next celebration, you can then sign-up again.
- To help with your participation at home, some of the songs that will be sung for the Easter Vigil (700pm) and Easter Sunday (900am) are included with this Flocknote as attachments.
Grace Indeed Is Amazing!- What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done?
This evening, during the adoration of the Cross, there was some silence after the singing of the song “Behold the Wood.” During that silence, I was struck by the solitary Cross placed at the entrance of the sanctuary and hearing the water of our font cascading. The Cross and the waters of Baptism are what it’s all about!
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Fr. Chuck
Easter Vigil 2020 Worship Aid.pdf
Easter Sunday 2020 Worship Aid.pdf
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“We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
for he is our salvation, our live and our resurrection;
through him we are saved and made free.”
from the Introductory Rite for Holy Thursday
New Updates from the Archdiocese
- If you haven’t heard already, Archbishop Carlson has extended the suspension of all public Masses through April 30. This extension includes the dispensation of the Sunday obligation.
- The special collection for retired priests, originally scheduled for Easter Sunday, is still taking place. Donations can be made online at archstl.org/retiredpriests, or via Faith Direct, by dropping off an envelope or mailing it to the parish office.
Parish News – New Items:
- With Archbishop Carlson extending the suspension of all public masses through April 30 impacts our scheduled celebration of First Communion, originally scheduled for Sunday, April 26. Ed Lewandowski and I had already been discussing some new options in case this would happen. He will be communicating with all the families directly.
- Archbishop Carlson also announced that all Cathedral Basilica and parish Rites of Confirmation originally scheduled before June 1 are suspended. However, the Archbishop will be giving me the faculty to confer the sacrament at a date yet to be determined. (I know some of you may be disappointed in not having the Archbishop here for confirmation, but at least you will be confirmed by a Very Reverend! )
Parish News – Worth Repeating:- If you experience some technical glitches while viewing our live streaming, please let us know when they occur. Mark Stevison or Ann will do a follow-up to see if the problem is on our end or not. At the same time, remember that with so much distant learning and other things all needing to be done via the internet, the internet providers and your home receivers are being stretched to the max.
- There are containers outside the front doors of the church, under the awnings, that contain the Little White Books. There are also places to pick up a book or two inside the Church, perhaps when you are seeking the quiet of our Church.
- A .pdf copy of the bulletin has always been included with a weekly Flocknote sent out from the parish. I hope you are able to read some of the articles that have been included in the bulletin.
- With the extension of the suspension of public Masses until April 30, please consider signing up to represent the parish community at one of our Livestream Masses during the month of April via Sign Up Genius. If you have already signed up during the first round of sign ups, please allow other parishioners the opportunity to do the same. If there are open slots as of 600pm on the evening before the next celebration, you can then sign-up again.
Opportunities to Pray During the Sacred Triduum- Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has invited the faithful to join him in praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart on Good Friday (April 10). Praying together as a nation, the Archbishop asks that we seek healing for all who are unwell, wisdom for those whose work is halting the spread of coronavirus, and strength for all God’s children
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Friday, April 10, 2020 (Good Friday)
11:00am - CDT
Livestream: USCCB
Text of Litany of the Sacred Heart: English. . . / Spanish. . .
Obviously, Good Friday is a day when Christians around the world solemnly commemorate the day when Jesus suffered and died on the cross. Catholics traditionally mark the day with fasting, penance, and reflection on Jesus’ loving sacrifice. This opportunity to pray together during the coronavirus pandemic offers a special moment of unity for the faithful during a time when communities throughout the United States and worldwide are physically unable to congregate for Holy Week and Easter because of COVID-19.- To help with your participation at home, some of the songs that will be sung for Holy Thursday and Good Friday are included with this Flocknote as attachments.
Grace Indeed Is Amazing!- What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done?
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Fr. Chuck
Holy Thursday 2020 - Worship Aid.pdf
Good Friday 2020 Worship Aid.pdf
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As we enter into Holy Week, Pope Francis wanted to share with us
a few thoughts.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMJDCnmdhRg
One thing that I really enjoy about watching Pope Francis give a talk / hold a press conference is when he lifts his eyes from his text. Watch for it. It's as though he is awed by the meaning of what he is about to say. It also probably drives all of his assistants crazy as they are thinking: "Here we go again. Is he going off script? What's he going to say next?"
We lift up in prayer everyone we know by name who has tested positive
for the virus.
May all of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Fr. Chuck
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Random thoughts on a Friday evening….
New Updates from the Archdiocese- The 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal has been postponed and will be scheduled at a future date.
- The annual Missionary Cooperative Plan has been canceled. This was an annual event that often took place in the summertime. A representative of a community introduced us to the work of their community and the people with whom they ministered. They also asked for our financial assistance in helping with their mission. Even though they won’t be with us to make a formal appeal, each parish may be asked to take up a special collection for these missionary communities. Stay tuned!
- Today, Pope Francis appointed Rev. Michael McGovern, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, to succeed Bishop Edward Braxton as the bishop of the Diocese of Belleville.
Parish News- The new video camera was installed in Church earlier this week, along with a new mixer for the sound system and a new microphone in the back of church. This project was almost completely funded by an Ensuring Parish Viability grant we received from the Archdiocese.
- Some parishioners did find that they still have experienced some technical glitches with even the new camera. Please let us know when they occur. At the same time, remember that with so much distant learning and other things all needing to be done via the internet, the internet providers and your home receivers are being stretched to the max.
- There are containers outside the front door of the church, under the awnings, that contain both palm and the Little White Books. There are also places to pick both the palm and the books inside the Church, perhaps when you are seeking the quiet of our Church. The palms will be blessed as part of the Palm Sunday Liturgies.
- A .pdf copy of the bulletin has always been included with a weekly Flocknote sent out from the parish. I hope you are able to read some of the articles that have been included in the bulletin. In case you missed it, here’s an article I wrote about people asking why bad things happen if God is such a loving God.
- Consider signing up to represent the parish community at one of our Livestream Masses during the month of April via Sign Up Genius. If you have already signed up during the first round of sign ups, please allow other parishioners the opportunity to do the same.
Celebrating Holy Week & Easter
As you might guess, there will be some changes within our celebrations of the Liturgies of Holy Week. I would like to highlight a few:- To help with your participation at home, some of the songs that will be sung for our celebrations will be sent as an attachment with our Stay-at-Home Updates this week.
- For Palm Sunday, I made a pastoral decision for the entrance into Jerusalem Gospel to be proclaimed, rather than both that Gospel and the Passion. Obviously, the Passion will be proclaimed on Good Friday.
- On Holy Thursday, there will not be any washing of feet.
- On Good Friday, the veneration of the Cross will only be a time of adoration. There will also not be the Communion Rite for this service.
- For the Easter Vigil, there will not be a blessing of the new fire, but there will be a singing of the Exsultet. Just 3 readings from the Hebrew Scriptures will be proclaimed, along with the Epistle and the Gospel. The water will be blessed, and we will renew our baptismal promises.
Grace Indeed Is Amazing!- What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done? One thing that made me smile was a video someone sent me in which scenes from the TV show M.A.S.H were connected with various coronavirus activities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WuaDK0mTc4&feature=youtu.be
As another day comes to an end,
may each of us have a restful and peaceful night!
Fr. Chuck
Palm Sunday 2020 Recessional.pdf
Bulletin for 032920 - Addendum - Why do bad things.pdf
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STAY AT HOME UPDATE #4 - MARCH 30, 2020
As we all stay in our homes, and strive to remain safe from COVID-19, we wanted to remind you that your ongoing financial support of our parish and its various ministry partners is essential.
The work of the these four ministries, for which the parish has provided ongoing support, continues during this pandemic. We are hearing from them of their great need right now. Please consider a donation to these organizations (information on how to donate to each cause is below).
And we thank you for your continued donations to the parish!Room at the Inn - housing homeless women and families
As many of you know, there has been a group of about 25 people here at Mary Mother who have been helping support the mission of Room at the Inn for the past 2 years.
However, due to the Covid 19 Virus, the guests of Room at the Inn can no longer be sent out each night which has required Room at the Inn to hire extra staff to spend the night with the guests & also to pay for the food for the evening meal that the church communities normally provided and for extra cleaning to protect the guests and staff. All of these changes have increased the daily expenses of the Inn about $200. We have invited our regular volunteers to consider a monthly or a one-time donation to the Inn. We would like to invite all of our parish to join us by making a one-time donation or a monthly donation of $1, $5 or $10. Even a small donation made by many folks can make a huge impact to the guests of the Inn that we serve.
How to help:- If you make your donations normally through Faith Direct, you can make a one-time or monthly donation directed to Room at the Inn OR
- you can send a check (payable to Mary Mother) to the parish office identifying it on the memo line for Room at the Inn. OR
- If you would rather send a check directly to the Inn, please make the check payable to Room at the Inn & mail it to:
3415 Bridgeland Dr
Bridgeton, MO 63044Rice Bowls - ministries served by Catholic Relief Services
Please mail your Rice Bowl offering to the parish office, and we will get these much-needed funds to the Catholic Relief Services.
(make your check payable to Mary, Mother of the Church and include a memo of "Rice Bowl")St Vincent de Paul - helping the needy of our community
Our St Vincent de Paul coffers are low. The need in our community is even greater now with so many out of work. Our St Vincent de Paul workers are grateful for your continued support. You can give through Faith Direct, or can write a check payable to St Vincent de Paul and mail to the parish office.Bridge Bread Bakery - employing the homeless to break the cycle of homelessness:
You can donate to Bridge Bread through Faith Direct (Text-to-give: (314) 207-3836) or mail a check directly to Bridge Bread as follows:
Bridge Bread Bakery
2639 Cherokee Street
St. Louis, MO 63118
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Mar 27 - Stay at Home Update #3
I don't know how many of you had a chance to participate / watch Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi ("to the City and to the World") benediction he offered earlier today, but I found his homily to be quite powerful.
Here is a link to America magazine where you can read his reflection.
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/03/27/read-pope-francis-urbi-et-orbi-address-coronavirus-and-jesus-calming-storm?utm_source=Newsletters&utm_campaign=03866fc25b-DAILY_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_27&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0fe8ed70be-03866fc25b-58439589
If you are not able to click on this link to get to the article, you can just copy the link and paste it in your browser.
May you have a peaceful night!
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The Stay-at-Home Update - Issue #2
March 26, 2020- Even though words may be my life, evidently there are times when I don’t communicate very well. Some parishioners thought (hoped?) that I might be sending out an Update every evening during this stay-at-home period. I don’t think there is a need for that, plus I think I would be running out of ideas rather quickly. So, with Issue #2, this update is now called “The Stay-at-Home Update.”
Worth Repeating- During this “stay-at-home” period, the hours that the office will be opened will be shorter, and primarily in the morning. Please call the parish office at 314-894-1373 before you drive to the campus, just to be sure that someone is here.
- In case you receive a phone call from Mary, your mother > It’s really a group of parishioners who are putting their dialing fingers to work and reaching out to our parishioners via a phone call.
New Items- Two new Sign Up Genius requests will go live this weekend. One is for attending the daily and weekend liturgies beginning April 6 and the other one is for attending the Triduum and Easter Sunday.
- If you have had the chance to be one of the people who have already represented the parish community at the weekday or Sunday liturgies between March 18 and April 5, please do not sign up for a time and date on these two Sign Up Genius’s. We have over 1150 households and we need to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to represent the parish for a particular liturgy.
- Some parishioners have asked why / have expressed their dismay that there even are any parishioners at the liturgies we are live streaming. Doesn’t “stay-at-home” mean stay-at-home? When Archbishop Carlson first suspended Masses, the instruction he gave the priests was that, if possible, there should be one person present for the Mass, with a maximum of 4. Their ministry was to represent the parish community and respond to the prayers, since by its nature the liturgy is a dialogue. This past week, the number of people who could be present was amended to 10, which is the same guidelines that are in effect throughout the state and country.
Other Items:- The Parish Council election ends at 2:00pm on Sunday. In case you still need to vote, please go to https://www.marymother.org/parish-council/parish-council-election.
- The Parish Lenten Penance Service scheduled for Tuesday; March 31 has been canceled.
- The Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA), which is usually conducted at the end of April and beginning of May, is being postponed.
- Along with the parish, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Bridge Bread and Our Lady’s Inn relying upon your generosity via an electronic donation or a check mailed to the parish, so are the people helped by the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl program. You can make a check out to Mary, Mother with the words “Rice Bowl” written in the memo line, and we will see that CRS receives your donation.
Grace Indeed Is Amazing !- What is something you saw or heard this week that made you smile or say “ah” or “a-ha?” What is something new you might have done? For me, I saw six deer on the hill behind the garages this afternoon, although I don’t think the 6-foot social distance rule applies to them. I also learned how to use Zoom, which is a very popular videoconferencing tool. On Wednesday, we interviewed 2 candidates for the Faith Formation position and will interview 2 more candidates on Monday.
May each of us have a restful night!
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The Nightly Update - Issue #1
March 23, 2020The Nightly Update - Issue #1
March 23, 2020
In order to keep you up to date on things happening here at Mary,Mother, while at the same time limiting the number of emails you receive from the parish, you will occasionally be receiving a Flocknote entitled “ The Nightly Update.” This is the first issue!- During this “stay-at-home” period, the hours that the office will be opened will be shorter, and primarily in the morning. Please call the parish office at 314-894-1373 before you drive to the campus, just to be sure that someone is here.
- The Parish Lenten Penance Service scheduled for Tuesday, March 31 has been canceled. In the March 29th bulletin, there will be an article on other options you have.
- The public liturgies of Holy Week and Easter have been suspended. We will be livestreaming them in the same way that we are livestreaming Sunday and weekday Masses. A new sign-up sheet asking for parishioners to represent the community will be posted next week.
- In case you receive a phone call from Mary, your mother > It’s really a group of parishioners who are putting their dialing fingers to work and reaching out to our parishioners via a phone call.
- Here is another intention to add to your prayer list: young couples like Katy & Nick, who have had to postpone their wedding ceremony that was originally scheduled to be celebrated here at the parish on April 18th.
May each of us have a restful night!
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Dear Parishioners:
From Archbishop Carlson:
In order to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community, I am mandating the suspension of all public celebrations of the Eucharist, as well as Liturgy of the Hours, Stations of the Cross, and all other group services, Bible studies and activities beginning immediately. The dispensation I have offered for all Catholics in our archdiocese from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is now extended through Palm Sunday, April 5.
At this time, all churches are to remain open to individuals for personal prayer, devotions and confessions.
As with my directive on March 15 to close schools, this decision has not been made lightly. However, caring for both our physical and spiritual health go hand-in-hand, and the health, safety and overall well-being of the people of the archdiocese is my first priority.
Pending updates and guidance from local and state government and health officials, we have preliminary plans to resume Masses beginning April 6; however, we will re-evaluate at a later date.
From Fr. Chuck Barthel:
Since we now have the capability to live stream the Eucharist, both the weekend and the weekday Mass schedule will fundamentally remain the same, with two exceptions. There will now be a Mass at 830am on Friday morning, rather than a communion service. There will not be a Mass at 830am on Saturday morning.
This will be the first time that I have presided at a Eucharist without people, which is also being live streamed. I am not sure how awkward this will look or feel.
A decision as to whether Holy Communion will be brought to those who are homebound must be mutually agreed upon by both the communicant and the minister, whether ordinary or extraordinary. Other decisions are still being finalized, such as if we are having the Reconciliation service or not. I will keep you updated via Flocknote as these decisions are madeFor additional items from Archbishop Carlson’s latest guidelines, click here.
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MARCH 14, 2020
WE NOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO LIVE STREAM MASSES!
see link at top of page.(Audio and Video quality are limited at this time until a new camera and sound equipment arrive,
but given the impact of COVID-19, we wanted to begin streaming as soon as possible)
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MARCH 13, 2020
Coronavirus Update #3 from Archbishop CarlsonAt 630 pm, Friday evening, March 13, 2020,
Archbishop Carlson issued his 3rd update on the coronavirus. Here are the items that warrant your immediate attention.-
All Catholics within the Archdiocese of St. Louis are dispensed from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass for the next three weekends (March 14-15, March 21-22 and March 28-29). As with the Lenten practice of abstinence, you are reminded to exercise good judgement and not “excuse yourself lightly” from your obligation. As of this evening, our Mass schedule will remain unchanged.
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Everyone who is sick, elderly or vulnerable because of a medical condition are urged to remain at home. Please understand that Mass schedules and availability, as well as parish and diocesan events, may change, especially if our clergy are affected by illness.
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It is strongly recommended that parishioners receive Holy Communion in the hand. Holy Communion distributed by extraordinary ministers will be administered in the hand only. However, if parishioners wish to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, you are to receive it only from the Mass celebrant. Furthermore, as a safety precaution for other communicants and the celebrant, I would ask that you be the last recipients in the Communion procession.
Rev. Chuck Barthel
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March 2 - Precautionary Measures due to Influenza
Taking Precautionary Steps
As you know, seasonal flu is currently making a significant impact in our neighborhoods and throughout the global community. As of 2:00p on Monday, March 2, the Center for Disease Control has estimated that during the current flu season, 8,200 people have died from various strains of influenza and an additional 140,000 people have been hospitalized. There have also been six deaths from the coronavirus so far, and all six deaths occurred in the State of Washington.
On March 2, in order to mitigate the spread of colds, flu, and other contagious illnesses, Archbishop Carlson asked that all parishes of the Archdiocese begin taking the same precautionary measures throughout the Archdiocese. We have been doing many of these precautions since the beginning of February. The following three lists contain what our mass monitors and staff members will continue doing, some changes that will affect our past practices, and a few reminders.
Rev. Chuck Barthel
What our Mass Monitors and Staff Members are being asked to do:- Sanitize all sacred vessels before and after all Masses (with soap and hot water), because germs may survive on surfaces up to 24 or more hours.
- Holy Water fonts have been emptied and will remain so for the time being.
- Encourage good hygiene, including alcohol-based hand sanitizer lotion in restrooms and public areas, and proper cough-and-sneeze etiquette. It is especially important for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to implement these measures.
- A hand sanitizer will be placed by the Holy Water font in the vestibule.
Changes that will affect our parish practices:- The exchange of the sign of peace is to be exchanged as a verbal greeting.
- Holy Communion is encouraged to be received in the hand.
- The reception of the Precious Blood by the faithful via the chalice is suspended.
- When possible, parishioners should try to keep a distance of three feet from the nearest neighbor.
- Specifically for our parish, we will not be holding hands for the praying of the Our Father.
Reminders:- Please check in on those who would be considered high risk / most vulnerable such as: our older parishioners who may be living by themselves, persons with disabilities, teenagers and children.
- For those who are considered high risk, remember that you have the option to participate in the Mass on TV via channels such as EWTN.
- People with a respiratory infection, the flu, a fever or a serious cold are not bound to attend the Sunday Eucharist and are encouraged to stay home.
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