14 May 2020
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
Dear Parishioners:
After almost two months we have officially begun celebrating public Masses at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist! Deo Gratias!
In last week’s newsletter I announced the Mass schedule and outlined the procedures that we will do to sanitize the lower chapel and pubic areas following each Mass. You may
Our parish Mass schedule, effective this week:
- 5:30pm Vigil Mass (Saturday)
- 9am Sunday Mass
- 11:15am Solemn Mass
- Daily Mass: 9am Monday-Thursday
We are limited to 35 people at Mass due to current social distancing requirements and, therefore, the three weekend Masses will be streamed live. I also want to make sure that everyone who wants to receive Holy Communion are able to do so. The Holy Eucharist will be distributed at the end of Mass: those in the chapel will receive first and then those who may be outside. I do encourage you to consider viewing the weekend Masses on your smart phones from the parking lot… or sitting on the front steps… or bring a lawn chair or blanket and sit on the Cathedral lawn. The weather has been so amazing it could be a very beautiful experience: recall the Gospel of John Chapter 6: Our Lord had the crowd sit down in groups on the grass overlooking the Sea of Galilee at the multiplication of loaves and fishes. It’s important for us as Christians to stay connected to each other in person as much as we can (of course, observing all social distancing norms) and not just “virtually” on social media. Gathering on the Cathedral campus… and being able to receive Our Eucharistic Lord… while maintaining all the current social distancing norms is one important way we can do so.
A few notes to remember:
Social Distancing:
- Couples and families are welcome to sit together.
- Please be sure to keep the “6 feet rule” when seated in the chapel, when lining up to receive Holy Communion and when gathered outside on the lawn. There are yellow arrows on the floor of the main aisle: please use them as a guide to space yourself from the person ahead of you.
- “Traffic Signs”: Please be observant of the “yellow traffic arrows” directing how you enter/leave the building, enter the pews and line up to receive Holy Communion.
- The arrows will direct you to enter the lower chapel using one door of the set of double doors and exiting the other.
- The Legare St. side door will also be open for those who wish to exit on that side.
Music Programs:
- Programs may be picked up at the side door.
- If you choose to use one, please dispose of your program in the hallway trashcan after Mass. They will not be reused.
Offertory Collection:
- I want to thank all those who have been giving to the parish via electronic giving or mailing in their offertory envelope.
- Beginning at this weekend’s Masses an offertory basket will be placed on a table halfway down the main aisle of the chapel.
- You may drop your envelope in before Mass or as you are approaching for Holy Communion.
Liturgical Ministers:
- I want to thank all those who have been so generous in serving Our Lord and the parish in the various liturgical ministries as Ushers, Greeters, Lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
- However, given current health precautions and norms, no one over 65 may serve at any our parish liturgies until further notice.
- We will no longer will be using Ushers, Greeters or Sacristans at the parish Masses until further notice. It is important to reduce the number of people who set up, handle items or who are present at the door and in the hallway.
Other parish updates:
Please be sure to keep Deacon Charles and Mary Olimpio in your prayers. A week ago Sunday when returning from a walk they found their home on fire. The firefighters had already arrived. Thankfully, no one was in the house but they will be displaced for about 6 months as they rebuild. If you would like to send them a card you may send it to the parish office and we will be sure that they receive them.
The Cathedral repainting project continues to make exciting progress as the actual color is being applied to the main sanctuary walls and side aisle ceilings. Unfortunately, the completion date as moved to the end of July. The impact of the pandemic has caught up with us and there are some significant delays with some of the production and delivery of the new LED lights. The scaffolding is scheduled to begin dismantled on 29 June. The process will take several weeks and then the new sound system will be installed.
Given all of the above, I will close with a quote from Joseph Addison: “If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.”
God bless,
Msgr. Steve Brovey
