Beloved Parishioners,
It has been more than a month since our Churches were reopened. We have received many testimonies of how beautiful it is to return to Mass, to the Sacramental life, to Jesus in whom we live and move and have our being. One of the Bishop’s in UK described it as ‘a return from exile.’
We had hoped for a grand reopening and big homecoming. But we have to wait until a vaccine comes out which we pray will happen soon. Until then, we continue to pray, hope and love.
Our parish and the other parishes throughout our diocese are all doing our best trying to abide by the government’s guidelines and regulations. Please bear with us. May we be patient with one another and approach the present time with compassion, understanding, love and care for one another.
I must say that our parishioners have been exceptional in your understanding. Because we can only have 50 people in a Mass, some of us have not been able to attend our regular Mass. Your love for Jesus, for our parish and all who volunteer to make things go smoothly has made you to accept the Mass that has been assigned to you. Thank you for helping us serve you well. The present situation is temporary and soon we hope we’ll be allowed to have more people at Mass. At that time, we’ll be able to attend our usual Mass. It will also reduce the number of Masses that our priests are celebrating. Presently, we have 10 Masses. Beginning next week, we will be adding another Mass at 10am in St. Ann’s Hall. This will only be for First Holy Communion Children and Confirmation Candidates and their families.
Priests Helping with Masses: Some people have asked me about the priests coming to assist me in saying Masses: are we paying them, are we paying their mileage? Yes, we are. We are grateful that they are able to come. But it is costing the parish more. Since the financial difficulty of the day is affecting our parishes, too, an anonymous couple in the parish has paid so far for us to bring in more priests to help out. The parish continues to pay the mileage. If you feel called to help us pay for the priests and their mileage, please let us know. That will be a huge help since we don’t know how long this pandemic will last. By and large, we thank everyone for your Sunday offering which has helped the parish to pay bills and to keep the doors of our parishes open. I feel it is important that you know about this situation.
Away in the summer: If you are registered for Mass but away in the summer, please inform the parish so we can make the necessary adjustments.
Drop in: While we continue to do our best to bring everyone in for Mass while not exceeding 50 people, there might be times when we will ask you to attend another Mass if we have reached maximum capacity. Some of the Masses that are not full are Saturday 5pm and 6pm. Sunday: 1pm, 4pm and 6pm.
On the average, we continue to have about 380 people in attendance every weekend. That is half the number that would attend weekend Masses before the pandemic.
For those who are not able to attend Mass at this time, know that we are united at every Mass and we always pray that the grace of each Mass will be abundant for you and your family.
Please pray for our sick parishioners enlisted in the bulletin, and those going for or recovering from surgery.
God love you! Remain in God’s love and grace.
Your brother,
~ Fr. Obi