St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Churches

Who should come to Mass?

We look forward to everyone coming to pray again communally and spiritually, however, due to social distance requirements, we can only seat 25 % of the capacity of our church. We will keep you informed of how we will limit the seating capacity for our three parishes.   Even though we will seat using social distancing guidelines, households can sit together.

Our Masses will resume their usual schedule. Confession is ½ hour before each Mass.  As our space is limited, plan on attending a Mass, especially weekday instead of weekend. If needed, we will have a sign up on which Mass you plan on attending. We do not want to turn people away, but are limited to 25% of capacity. St. Mary’s 40 people; St Joseph’s 33 people; St. Charles 75 people.

The obligation to attend Mass is still dispensed, so you are not obligated to attend. However, you are still required to keep holy the Lord’s Day. You can do this by praying the Mass online/TV, making a spiritual communion, and spending time in prayer. 

Do not come to church if you are sick, coughing, sore throat, fever, shortness of breath, if you have been exposed to a sick person, or if you are caring for someone who is sick. We strongly encourage those over 65, and those with pre-existing health conditions to stay home and avoid public gatherings, including church.

What can I expect when I arrive?

Avoid chatting or talking. Do not give handshakes. Sit in a designated area. Remain 6 feet apart from other groups. Households may sit together. Go to the bathroom before you arrive, bathrooms are for emergencies only. Please be patient and flexible.

What should I bring?

Masks are mandatory inside the church.  It is an act of mercy to protect others. Masks cannot be placed on children under 2 years of age.

What will change with the Mass?

There is no singing.  There is no sign of peace. We will not be taking collection during Mass. There is a basket for contributions as you enter the church. If there is a second collection each basket will be marked. The contribution basket will be available at all Masses as not everyone will be attending on Saturday/Sunday.  Electronic giving is also available on our websites.

Will I be able to receive communion?

Yes, but you are not required to receive if you do not feel comfortable. Communion will be at the end of Mass.  Please maintain social distancing. Wear your mask but no gloves. Communion is only received by hand.

Volunteers are needed to clean after each Mass. 

Expect that we will move between phases if the church authorities deem it appropriate. Please continue praying for an end to the coronavirus. Thank you for all of your patience and flexibility as we work through Phase 2, together. Adjustments will be made as we go. Suggestions are always welcome. God bless us all.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 25 April 2020

Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis
to the Faithful for the Month of May 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The month of May is approaching, a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family.  The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this “family” aspect, also from a spiritual point of view.

Contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial.  I keep all of you in my prayers, especially those suffering most greatly, and I ask you, please, to pray for me.  I thank you, and with great affection I send you my blessing.

I am also providing two prayers to Our Lady that you can recite at the end of the Rosary, and that I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you.  I include them with this letter so that they are available to everyone.

FIRST PRAYER

O Mary, You shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the foot of the cross, were united with Jesus’ suffering, and persevered in your faith.

“Protectress of the Roman people”, you know our needs, and we know that you will provide, so that, as at Cana in Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this time of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us. For he took upon himself our suffering, and burdened himself with our sorrows to bring us, through the cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We fly to your protection,
O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions
in our necessities,
but deliver us always
from every danger,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

SECOND PRAYER

“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.

In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic.  Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply.  Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them.  Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew.  Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others.  Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need.  Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary.  Amen.