Pastoral Message from Fr Rick – May 21, 2020
Fr. Rick’s Pastoral Messages as of 5-21-20
- Governor Herbert once again loosened the directives for public gatherings related to the Corona Virus epidemic. Bishop Solis has directed Utah parishes to implement some related changes as is most appropriate for their particular locations. Pertinent changes at St. Christopher’s are as follows:
a. No more than 25 people will be allowed in the Church for any individual Eucharistic celebration.
b. Social distancing must be maintained at all times – six feet between congregants. Use tape to close off rows of seating in the church and mark seats in order to guide the faithful to sit at least 6 feet from each other.
c. Churchgoers must wear masks and may remove them once they are seated.
d. Attendance at any weekday Masses will satisfy a person’s Sunday obligations. The same restrictions as above apply to weekday Masses
e. Ushers will assist parishioners to their assigned seats. At the end of Mass congregants will be directed to leave in an orderly manner. (This could be fun and very nostalgic to all those who have attended Catholic schools).
f. As has been in place, no shaking of hands during sign of peace, no Precious Blood will be offered and Holy Communion will only be distributed in the hand.
g. To facilitate safe distancing, Eucharistic ministers will bring Communion to the people in their pews.
h. The pews and seats will need to be sanitized after every liturgy. We will have hand sanitizer near the entrances to the church and encourage those entering and exiting to perform hand hygiene.
i. Dispensation of the Sunday obligation will remain in effect for all those who are not able to attend Mass. Personal health and the safety community are of the utmost importance.
j. Cantors, lectors and ushers will be scheduled as is possible.
k. Collection baskets will not be passed, but will be situated where people can place their offerings before or after Mass.
l. PLEASE REMEMBER TO NOT CONGREGATE BEFORE OR AFTER ANY LITURGY. IT WILL ALSO BE IMPORTANT TO LEAVE PROMTLY SO AS TO MAKE ROOM FOR THOSE ATTENDING THE NEXT MASS AS NEEDED.
m. Anyone having a particular health risk that makes them vulnerable or anyone having symptoms of an illness should stay home.
n. There will be some further directives regulating use of restrooms. These will be made known at Mass.
o. THESE VARIOUS RESTRICTIONS AND DIRECTIVES WILL LIKELY BE CHANGING ON A SOMEWHAT FLUID BASIS. WE WILL TRY TO COMMUNICATE EVERYTHING AS CLEARLY AS POSSIBLE AND THINGS WILL GO VERY SMOOTHLY.
- Please check the website for updates. Depending on Mass attendance on weekends and changes in Corona related restrictions, there will likely be some changes to the Mass schedule. I will communicate any changes as clearly and timely as possible. Thank you for your cooperation and patience.
- You may notice that there will be several improvements being made soon to the rectory involving painting the exterior and new flooring to include some needed sub-floor repairs. Please note that all these improvements will be paid for by donations provided from outside the parish and will not have been diverted from other parish operations. THANK YOU BENEFACTORS!
- Please continue visiting each other as needed and be attentive to especially the needs of folks who are unable to leave their households. If anyone would like to visit with me, please do not hesitate to call the office and leave that message.
- I have at least one extra student study guide left if anyone would like to join our Bible Study on Salvation History. We meet on Tuesdays at 2:30 PM and Wednesday at 6:30 PM. You can catch up as needed by streaming the videos on your personal computer. Call the office and leave me a message id if interested.
- God bless you and know that we are always in God’s care.