Dear Parish Family,
As you are aware, on Monday, May 18 Archbishop Hartmayer announced that churches may begin to allow limited numbers of parishioners to attend Mass in person as early as next Monday (May 25).
This announcement also came with a strict number of requirements for each parish to adhere to – including deep and frequent sanitizing of the Church, limiting the number of parishioners in attendance to allow for proper social distancing, required sanitizing wipes and gels for the assembly, a long list of liturgical concerns, and best practices for the continued good health of priests who are either over 60 or have underlying health concerns which is the case with all of us at OLA.
Just this past weekend a Texas parish has had to close after its 5 priests tested positive for COVID-19 after resuming public Masses on May 2. One priest has died, possibly related to COVID-19.
In a meeting with fellow priests from the Central Deanery yesterday, grave concerns were expressed by my brothers about their ability to obtain the needed sterilizing materials – most are on back order – and to adequately make preparations to safely and efficiently open. We have to deep clean before and after each liturgy! My staff and I have those same concerns and we do not feel that it is prudent to begin inviting additional parishioners to be physically present at Mass at this time.
Barring unforeseen circumstances – and with the utmost concern for the health and well being of our parish community - we will begin allowing limited numbers of parishioners to attend Mass in person on the weekend of June 13 and 14. There will be two Masses on the weekend and Mass livestreaming will continue. Daily Mass will not resume until we feel that we can safely do so - livestreaming daily Mass will continue.
More details will be provided in upcoming bulletins, in the e-news, and on our website. Please do not text/email myself, the clergy, or staff asking for specific details - we will notify you when plans are in order.
If you do not currently receive the parish e-news, I strongly encourage you to sign up now. That is how the registration link to attend Mass will be distributed. .
If you attend Mass at OLA, but are not registered, I encourage you to register in our parish because it will be parishioners only.
Please pray for our parish clergy and staff as we begin making plans for these Masses. You will remain in our prayers.
Yours in Mary, Our Mother,
Father Jim
Comments