St. Joseph Catholic Church

May 17, 2020   
THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
Bishop Kihneman has given pastors permission to resume the public celebration of the Mass effective Saturday, May 23, 2020. 
 
Still, Bishop Kihneman reminds all the faithful of the diocese that Sunday obligation to attend Mass is suspended until further notice. No one is obligated by church law to attend Mass during this time. Please stay home if you are sick or have serious underlying health concerns. 
 
We will live-stream the weekend Masses on St. Joseph Friends Facebook page at 4 p.m. on Saturday and at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.
 
Beginning Saturday, May 23, 2020, parishioners will be able to participate in the Mass within the church building.  We will celebrate Mass publicly seven days a week. There will also be overflow seating available for weekend Masses.  Daily Mass will resume Monday, May 25^th at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday.
 
There are several guidelines we are required to implement:
 
Please remember that we are in the early reopening phases of public gathering. Therefore, we are encouraged to keep the appropriate 6 foot physical distance between each other as we gather and as we leave church and return to our own cars. There may not be any groups gathering before or after Mass.  Please refrain from shaking hands or hugging other parishioners.
 
Please cooperate with the ushers. Not all seating will be available.  Members of the same family may sit together in the usual manner. Others are to maintain the CDC guidelines of social distancing by 6 feet.
 
It is strongly suggested that all people coming into church wear masks to cover their noses and mouths to protect yourself and others.  If you wish, bring gloves; remember they must be removed before receiving the Eucharist in the hand.
 
If possible, please bring hand sanitizer with you.  Sanitize as you enter and leave the church.
  
You must enter the church or hall via the double glass narthex doors, i.e. the gathering space.  All other doors will be locked from the outside. All doors may be used for exiting.
    
A collection basket will be placed in the entryway and will be available anytime the church is open.  I encourage you to use our online giving program. You can go to our website and link directly to the program or call the parish office for assistance. 
 
The Most Holy Eucharist will be distributed only by the priest and the deacon.  One extra ordinary minister may be used when the deacon is not present.  Out of charity for others and to reduce risks of infection, reception in the hand is encouraged.  Please approach the minister with your mask on.  After you receive the Eucharist, please step to the side, carefully lower your mask, consume the Host and return to your pew.
 
I will need your help to sanitize our worship spaces. If you can help after Mass, please see an usher for materials and instructions.
 
Our bulletins will continue to be delivered electronically via our Flocknote system and posted on Facebook at St Joseph Friends and our parish website www.stjosephcc.com. All parishioners are encouraged to read the bulletin there for updates.
 
Remember, if you contract the virus, you are to have 14 days without symptoms or 2 negative tests before you return to Mass.
 
Because the Sunday obligation to participate in Sunday Mass continues to be dispensed for the faithful, you may choose to attend a weekday Mass, with appropriate social distancing, to receive the Eucharist.
 
I am excited about reopening. It will take the full cooperation of everyone to make this work. I ask all to maintain patience during this gradual re-opening process.  And I ask for your indulgence as we ramp up. There may be some frustration, but with patience and charity we will push through and we will glorify God again together in the midst of the church.
 
With much love and prayers,
 
 
Father Joseph Uko