May 22, 2020
04/20/2024May 22, 2020
Dear Fellow St. Boniface Parishioners,
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
The end of our long exile from public Mass finally has a date! Bishop Persico has permitted public Masses to resume in our diocese beginning Monday, June 1st. He has, however, placed several conditions on the celebration of public Masses. Please read the whole list, which is attached to this email, but I would like to stress a few points as we begin planning for the resumption of public Masses at St. Boniface.
The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass will remain in effect after June 1st. That means that if, in your best judgment, you cannot safely attend Sunday Mass because of concerns over either contracting or spreading COVID 19, please stay home. No one should feel compelled to come to Sunday Mass until you feel ready to do so. We will continue to livestream and record Sunday Mass for home viewing. On that front, we have put in place a temporary fix for the audio issues we’ve had and are in the process of obtaining a permanent fix, so hopefully there will be no issues moving forward. Thank you to Tara, Mike, and Gene for their work on this and to all of you for your patience.
We are in the process of planning how to best implement the protocols listed by the bishop at St. Boniface. Regardless of the final plan, which will never be perfect, it will require sacrifices on everyone’s part. We may need to change the Mass schedule, for example, or you may not be able to sit in your preferred pew. We will need to maintain social distancing and wear face masks. These and other changes like them will feel awkward and test our patience. If you find yourself becoming angry or upset about the changes or because you notice someone else not following the protocols, I ask you remember who and what Mass is really about: it is about Christ and our coming together to celebrate and grow in our communion with him and one another. With that in mind, and with ample evidence of the flexibility you have already demonstrated throughout this whole ordeal, I know that we can make this work, whatever the changes may demand of us. Please stay tuned to your email, our website and Facebook pages, and our Sunday Mass videos for more updates as our parish plan comes together, and have a blessed Memorial Day weekend.
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Marc
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