Greetings God’s good people and welcome. We are so grateful to have resumed public Mass. However, there is still a limit of 10 people per gathering. We will resume public mass effective this weekend, May 16 and 17. 

Please be reminded of our regular Schedule for Masses. Confessions will be heard from 9:50am - 10:50am and Mass begins at 11am on Sundays. On Wednesday, Mass is at 10am and Adoration follows until Noon. We shall begin to offer Mass on Tuesdays at 10am, effective May 19th. Everyone may not be able to attend these celebrations; mass will be livestreamed – and not recorded. We will have two gathering locations set up. As the number of those that are allowed to gather change, this too will be modified.  

We hope that all parishioners who wish to can attend one Mass, giving others the opportunity to attend at other times. The General Dispensation from the Sunday Mass Obligation remains in effect until further notice. Only those who want to come and are not vulnerable or high risk should attend. If you have symptoms or are sick, PLEASE STAY HOME.

This is a good time and to prepare our heart, out of gratitude and charity as we begin reopening for public mass. Please follow these guidelines. I know that, for some they may be “too much” and for some “too little.” While we respect everyone’s views on the whole situation, these prudent guidelines allow us to reverently celebrate Mass while also being cautious and respectful. Our hope is that this will work with everyone’s cooperation.

It is our prayer, that soon we will get to a point when things will be okay again. For now, we will be following these guidelines. 

We have rearranged the church for safety . The gathering of no more than 10 people will continue in the Church, overflow has been be setup in the Parish Center (10 people). Everyone in these areas will be afforded the opportunity to receive Holy Communion.  

To afford the opportunity to everyone that wishes to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion we have setup a plan to afford you the opportunity to attend one public Mass a week. Again, as the number of those that are allowed to gather changes, modifications will be made.   

The Church and Parish Hall have been rearranged in accordance with guidelines to keep a safe distance for all who gather for worship. Missals in the church have been removed and we ask/encourage you to bring your own for the readings, if you wish.

Ushers will guide you to a place to sit, please follow their guidance. Thank you for cooperation. 

We sadly must discourage socializing before and after mass. Hopefully, we can put this behind us very soon and we catch up.

Collection baskets will be stationed at the back of the Church and not passed around. 

While at mass, during the kiss of peace, simply nod or wave. No hugging, kissing or shaking hands.

Reception of the Eucharist can be either by hand or tongue. We will to those receiving by hand first, and then those who prefer to receive by tongue. Communion cannot be distributed or received with hand gloves on. 

Parents, please watch our children, so they don't take off to go greet people and risk a potential infection. Children, stay with your family, before, during and after mass.

Restroom will be open, BUT ONE PERSON AT A TIME.

PLEASE WEAR A FACIAL MASK IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND MASS.

We shall be contacting you by phone to schedule you, if you would like to attend a public Mass and receive Holy Communion. Please bear with us. Please help us make accommodations and honor your request as best we can.  

We also ask for your patience, understanding, and prayers as we navigate the unprecedented challenges before us. I pray for the day this is behind us and we once again are gathered together. 

In Christ,

Father Stephen

UPDATE 05/15/2020:

Greetings God’s good people and welcome.

We have an update from Custer County regarding House of Worship (Church) as it pertains to us and how many can gather for worship.

So, this is modifying the initial information sent out. Every other information is still in place, as required and conditional to reopening, per Custer County Healthy department.

Custer County was granted a waiver and we have been approved to have TEN family units or households.  Family units consist of number of family members already under the same roof/home. For example, all those who are already living under same roof. It could be an individual or a spouse and their loved ones or children. Certainly, the number is limited to only ten households.

So, that actually gives room for more to gather and worship.  We pray and seek your understanding and cooperation. I can only imagine how frustrating this is to many, I believe these are good signs of a come back. Let us keep praying and trust God will make all things beautiful again and we can put all these behind us.

Please plan on wearing a face mask! I humbly appeal to all who plan on attending public Mass.

In Christ,

Fr. Stephen