It’s Been a Month…

 In Pastor's Notes-Fr. Ritche

It has been a month since I transitioned to Holy Spirit, and it has been a grace-filled month.   I am in awe of your graciousness and the warm welcome I received from all of you.  Although I am unable to see most of you because of the pandemic, many of you have reached out to me through emails, cards, Facebook messages, and phone calls.  Thank you, it means a lot to me.

Having said that, I’d like to encourage those who are able to join us to sign up for Mass.  Let us take this opportunity to be with one another around the Table of the Lord as we are able to gather outdoors in groups of sixty, while observing social distancing. This will also give me a chance to see you in person and to put a face on the names.

I understand that some of us are not comfortable being in a crowded place these days due to the threat of contacting a the virus. I’d like to enumerate some the of things we do to ensure the safety of those who come for Mass:

  1. No one is allowed to enter the worship space without a face covering. Face coverings MUST be worn for the duration of Mass until attendees return to their cars.
  2.  Those who are sick or have been exposed to COVID 19 are not allowed to enter.
  3. Hand sanitizers are provided before entering the worship space. Everyone is also asked to sanitize their hands prior to receiving communion.
  4. Chairs are arranged to a minimum of 6 feet apart unless you live in the same household. This is to maintain the required physical distancing.
  5. The minister of communion (usually the priest presider) must sanitize his hands before and after distributing communion.
  6. Absolutely no congregating before and after Mass.
  7. If music is provided, the pianist/cantor is confined to in a room and a separate sound system is used to project the music.
  8. After each Mass, the chairs are sanitized.
  9. All the vessels used for Mass are washed with water and soap after each Mass.
  10. We are also required by the County Directives to keep a list of those who are attending any liturgy, so please don’t forget to sign up.

The Eucharist is definitely the most important celebration of our parish community. But in addition to the celebration of the Eucharist, I am in conversation with Penny and Annie to plan for a few simple “meet and greet” sessions. My hope is to meet you in an informal setting.  Stay tuned to our e-bulletin for the details of this event.

Once again, your continued support for Holy Spirit Parish is greatly appreciated.  You are always in my prayers, but together, let us ask the Holy Spirit to give us the courage to live in this very uncertain time.  May Mary, our Mother, shield us with Her maternal protection.

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