St. Joseph Catholic Parish

Bishop Michael F. Olson Pastoral Letter March 4, 2021

After consultation with my priests, civic officials, members of the laity, and professionals in the fields of medicine and public health I judge it very prudent currently to maintain our protocols that have been in effect since September 25, 2020. It is our Christian responsibility to maintain our concern for others especially those most vulnerable so that we attend Mass safely and contribute to the common good of our parishes and the larger community of our towns, counties, and state.We are moving gradually towards a time when we can more safely relax our restrictions and protocols as hospitalizations decrease and people are immunized and as we gain insight through ongoing consultation with others. Yet, let us be clear that as the Church, we are neither moving towards a modern sense of subservience to the civil government nor towards an equally contemporary disposition of self-reliance and autonomy—negligent of our natural responsibilities in charity and justice towards God and our neighbor. I am grateful for the generosity of each and all of you during this time that has required a more intentional practice of the virtue of solidarity and compassion for our neighbors. Please be assured of my prayers for you during this season of Lent as I seek the same from you on my behalf.

• Complete Pastoral Letter
• Carta pastoral completa

Statement of Bishop Michael F. Olson Regarding the Moral Permissibility
of The Use of The Recently Released Vaccines for Covid-19
During recent weeks, I have received questions from many faithful Catholics as to the moral permissibility of using the vaccines for COVID-19 especially those that have been developed by Pfizer and Moderna. In order to assist in the formation of the consciences of the faithful I am posting with permission a Memorandum issued by Archbishop Joseph Naumann and Bishop Kevin Rhoades, the respective Chairs of the Pro-Life Committee and Doctrine Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that addresses these concerns in greater detail.

• USCCB Memo to All Bishops on Covid-19 Vaccines

 

---

 

Bishop Olson's 9-26-2020  Pastoral Letter

"We are now entering the annual flu season. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the threat of widespread illness, especially among the more vulnerable. Therefore, I am directing that you maintain our current but provisional norms and protocols as established last June until further notice. These are temporary protocols and norms given during this time of pandemic. These norms and measures that I promulgate for the safeguarding of the community and the public celebration of Mass will expire when, after consultation, we judge the situation to return to normal."

• All Masses will continue to be live streamed.
• Daily Mass is open to the public.
• Attendance in the chapel is limited to first 40 people.
• Temperatures will be checked at the door.
• Please maintain social distance from others.
• Most staff will continue to work from home, and are available via direct dial offi ce phone and email 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

• Parish Office now has NEW limited office hours:
  • 9-11 a.m. Monday-Friday (opens after Daily Mass)
  • 9-11 a.m. Saturday (opens after Daily Mass)
  • 9:30 -11:30 a.m Sunday
  • Parishioners may schedule Mass intentions, purchase a candle or refill Holy Water.

 

• Todas las Misas están siendo transmitidas, 40 personas pueden asistir a las Misas diarias.
• Se toma la temperatura, usen mascarillas, y guarden la distancia social.
• El personal sigue trabajando desde sus casas en el horario normal de 9 a.m. a 5 p.m.
• También la oficina está abierta:
  • 9:00 – 11:00 lunes a viernes
  • 9:00 – 11:30 sábados
  • 9:30 – 11:30 domingos
  • Ustedes pueden solicitar su Misa, comprar veladoras o llevar Agua Bendita

• The faithful are dispensed from the obligation to attend and to participate in Sunday Mass, but not dispensed from our faith.
• Si están preocupados porque no pueden asistir a Misa, recuerden que durante este tiempo la obligación está dispensada.  Lo que sí es importante es practicar nuestra fe.

 

• People in attendance at Mass must wear masks or scarfs over their mouths and nose inside the buildings to help prevent the spread of the virus.
• All attending are to practice proper social distancing, wear masks and use hand sanitizer upon entering the church.
   
• The Bishop asks to be considerate in charity of your neighbor and receive Holy Communion in the hand for the time being.

 

• Act of Spiritual Communion | Comunión Espiritual

• St. Joseph Parishioners are invited to attend Mass with some important things to know.
• Attendance limited to 50% capacity and in respect to social distancing.

• Maintain Physical distancing: Be respectful of the space of others.

• Those who are sick, should stay at home.
• Families will be allowed to sit together at Mass. One family per pew.
• Maintain spacing during Communion.
• Do not gather in groups/crowds before or after Mass.
• Do not linger or ‘hang around.’
• Maintain spacing when entering and exiting the building.

• Everyone must wear a mask or cover their faces (nose and mouth).
• No handshakes or other embraces outside your own household.
• Church will be sanitized in between Masses.

• Communion will be distributed only in the hand
• Parishioners are asked to maintain spacing when coming for Communion.                                                        

• Noon- 1 p.m.  Saturdays in the driveway.
• Wear a mask.
• Wait in your vehicle until turn.
• Maintain physical spacing and privacy.

• Annointing of the Sick will continue; call the office for details.

• Latest news from the Diocese

Parish Office now has limited office hours:

• 9-11 a.m. Monday-Friday.
• 9-11 a.m. Saturday
• 9:30 -11:30 a.m Sunday
• Staff continues to work from remotely. Call or email 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

• La oficina está abierta:
  • 9:00 – 11:00 lunes a viernes
  • 9:00 – 11:30 sábadosAdmin
  • 9:30 – 11:30 domingos

“In these difficult times that we find ourselves in, I hope that we do not lose our courage, don’t lose our faith. 
 
The parish is still here for you. Be assured of my prayers for you. You are in my heart. 

 In these days, I miss having you in the church on Sundays and in the chapel during the week.  I look forward to the times we can be back together. Keep me in your prayers and be safe please. And I will keep you in my prayers. “

All current Liturgical ministers, i.e., Communion ministers, ushers, altar servers, etc.,
please take a few minutes to log on to the on-line scheduling program and update your profile with a current address, phone number, and e-mail address. This is to ensure effective communication of everyone’s schedule for Mass.

If you have any questions, please call Tim Jacquet at 817-472-5181 or e-mail tjacquet@stjoe88.org. Thank you for your cooperation.