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Procedures on Resuming Public Masses

Beloved in Christ,

 

May God bless and keep all of you in this time of trial. I am grateful to write to you concerning the first public celebrations of the Mass since we entered a period of isolation weeks ago. I am joyful to gather together with one another to offer praise and glory to God, to celebrate the Mass. I wish to thank the people of St. Margaret Mary for hosting us for our livestream Masses, and I am also grateful to return to our home at St. Martin of Tours. 

 

This continues to be a trying time. God is with us, and will never leave us orphans. If you are in need, please let us know. The effects of distance, illness, loss of work, and other hardships should not be ignored. Even when we cannot be physically together, we are bound by the love of God and by his grace in an embrace even closer. I encourage all of  us not to wrestle with these things alone. God has made us one body for a reason. 

 

As we move forward, it is essential that we let justice, prudence, and charity guide our actions and decisions.  Justice demands we do everything we can to keep others safe from illness. This at times means a willingness to sacrifice personal wishes and desires for the good of the other. Charity, and the love of Christ is what enables us to bear those sacrifices joyfully and not bitterly. When the cross is the center of what we do, we bear it with Christ and with joy. Prudence is the virtue by which we will guide our decisions in ways that are balanced and reasonable. The following schedule and practices I believe are guided by all three. 

 

Schedule of Public Masses and Sacraments

  • 3 p.m. Sunday -  Mass at St. Martin of Tours. (639 S Shelby St, Louisville, KY 40202)

  • 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday - Mass at St. Martin of Tours. 

  • 3:30 p.m. Saturday - Confessions at St. Margaret Mary 

                                         (7813 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40222)

  • Confessions are also available by appointment by calling  502-791-6444.  

 

Schedule of Livestream Masses

  • 3 p.m. Sunday Mass

  • 5 p.m. Mass Tuesday-Friday

 

 

Social Distancing & Sanitizing

  • There should be at least six feet of separation between persons/households (immediate family members or persons living together may certainly sit together in the same pew without distance between them).  Face masks should be worn by the faithful.

  • Every-other pew will be roped off and should be left empty. Please do not touch the ropes even if you need more than one pew for your family.

  • At Communion, please wait in your pew until an usher indicates it is time for your row to go to the altar rail.

  • Holy Communion will be distributed only under one kind (i.e., Host only) from designated stations at the communion rail, where proper social distancing protocols can be observed. 

  • Please take extra care not to come into contact with the priest when receiving communion.

  • At the conclusion of Mass, please wait in your pew.  Ushers will dismiss you row-by-row to avoid “bunching up” at exits.  

  • We will need volunteers to wipe down the pews after Mass.  Our Lady and St. John and St. Martin of Tours will provide materials. (Donations of supplies or means to procure them are always welcome.)

  • I also ask that you please not gather to socialize after Mass, either in the church, the lawn, or the parking lot. I know this will be hard for us. I miss you, and we miss each other's fellowship. Remember, the time will come when we can do so again. 

  • If you, any member of your family, or any close contact has displayed any symptoms of respiratory  illness in the last week, please stay at home and do not come to Mass.  

  • Before coming to Mass, please check the temperature of each member of your family. If anyone has a temperature above 99.5, the entire family should remain at home.


 

The Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass, and Accommodating Pastoral Needs

 

  • The Bishop’s commutation of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is continued indefinitely.  Elderly and vulnerable parishioners are encouraged to remain home until the threat of the virus is eliminated.  

  • Even though Mass is public again, the obligation is still commuted.  Please exercise prudence in deciding when to join public gatherings again. Vulnerability to the illness should be part of your decision. You may consider attending a weekday Mass. 

  • If you have need for communion to be brought to you, or are willing to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, please notify me. 

  • We will livestream all public Masses, and for the two weeks following May 20, I will be live streaming a Mass at 5 p.m. Tuesday - Friday. 

  • St. Martin’s will remain open for Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Both the Adoration Chapel, as well as the main church, will be utilized for Adoration. 


 

I look forward to seeing some of you soon. Those who remain at home, know that we are praying for you, and that you are not alone. Let all of us always persevere in prayer, offering our entire lives, sufferings, actions, and joys unto God who saves us. Let us persevere in love, faith, and hope, knowing whose we are, and who will bring us through this and every trial. May God bless and keep you. 

 

Faithfully in Christ Jesus,

Fr. Jonathan

 

O MOST mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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