May 15, 2020 -  Feast of Saint Isidore, Patron of Farmers

Dear Sisters and Brothers.

I just received the expected Letter to the Faithful from our Bishop.  He reviews the extraordinary circumstances of the past weeks and  anticipates resumption of public worship.  In another item that I will receive soon, the Bishop will provide Diocesan guidelines for public worship with necessary precautions.  These "re-open guidelines” have been a diligent work project.  Bishop Brennan has consulted closely with various parties, including his parish priests, to develop safety guidelines.  I have developed specific rules for public worship at St. Mary and I will issue these within the next day.

Reopening Events

• The church will be open for personal prayer Wednesday May 20 from 11 to 12. The Blessed Sacrament will be on the Altar during this time.
• There will be a public Mass at St. Mary on Memorial Day Noon, Monday, May 25.
• Regular Masses resume on Pentecost (May 30 & 31) at our regular Mass times (5pm, 8:30am & 11am).

The new safety guidelines will be in effect for the in-church prayer opportunity (May 20), for the Memorial Day Noon Mass (May 25), for the Pentecost Masses ... and beyond until further notice.  These guidelines invite you to worship but with caution; if your health is in question or if you feel uncertain, you should not come out.

Soon, I will send the Coronavirus precaution rules as they specifically apply to our parish.  For now, please receive and read the Bishop’s Letter to the Faithful sent with this “Blanket Letter”.  I attach the letter in both a PDF format and as a Word document.  More detailed information will follow…


Your loving pastor in Christ with Mary, Father John