Letter to Parishioners

Dear St. Joseph Parishioners,

Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever! Happy Spring! (It seemed like the spring weather would never get here!) I continue to hope and pray that you are all doing well.

I realize that, for some of you, this is the first communication you have heard from me since public Masses were suspended. Limited staffing and volunteers made it difficult to do a bulk mailing. Please know that I have been thinking of you and praying for you throughout this time. I have sent out several email messages.  I am very grateful for the continuous financial support that so many have given to keep St. Joseph strong. Thank you!

CONFESSIONS will be heard by several priests OUTSIDE IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT 5:00PM to 7:30PM ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 27th (maybe also, if needed because of rain or excessively long lines, on Thursday, May 28 ^th). We had to cancel our Lenten “Confession-a-thon,” and I would imagine many parishioners would like to receive the Sacrament of Penance as they begin to go out more.

For those who have not been in touch with us by computer:
If you have a working computer, please know that we regularly post important information on our website ( www.stjosephnorthbend.com). We also have been livestreaming (that is, broadcasting live through the internet) the Weekend Mass at 4:30PM every Saturday and 8:00AM weekdays (Tuesday-Friday). You can also watch the recording of the Mass of the day (the recording is usually deleted when the next Mass video is added). We plan to continue to livestream and post videos of our Masses at St. Joseph for the indefinite future. This is a way to participate at Masses at St. Joseph.  (We sometimes have technical difficulties, especially with the sound, but most of the time it works.) To watch live or recorded Mass, click HERE to go to St Joseph Live Mass or go to the Home page of this Website and click on the " Live Mass" slider image at the top; this will take you to our Facebook page; go down a little and click Live or Videos; you will then see one or several videos (the most recent on top). Click and wait, the camera goes on several minutes before Mass begins... and you may have to refresh your screen if you arrive at the site before we begin broadcasting.   I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF MASS WILL RESUME AT ST. JOSEPH ON MEMORIAL DAY, MONDAY, MAY 25^TH, AT 9:00AM.                                                            
On Tuesday, May 26 ^th, the regular 8:00am weekday Mass schedule resumes (with Fr. Maurice de Lange on Mondays).  PENTECOST WEEKEND, MAY 30-31, WE PLAN TO RESUME OUR FULL SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE, ALTHOUGH WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING, MASKS, AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ARCHBISHOP SCHNURR HAS DISPENSED WITH THE SUNDAY MASS OBLIGATION FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.  THEREFORE, THERE IS NO OBLIGATION FOR YOU TO COME TO SUNDAY MASS AT THIS TIME (ANY WEEK DAY MASS IS AS GOOD AS SUNDAY IF YOU DECIDE TO GO). IF YOUR HEALTH MAKES YOU ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO DANGERS FROM THE CORONAVIRUS OR YOU HAVE CONCERNS THAT YOU MIGHT INFECT SOMEONE WHO DOES, IT IS NOT A SIN TO MISS MASS EVEN AFTER THE DISPENSATION IS ENDED; BE SMART, BE CAREFUL, BE HEALTHY!
 
COMING TO MASS AT ST. JOSEPH?
For those of you who choose to come to Mass on the weekend, please read and heed the following information and instructions (much of this will also apply to weekday Mass attendees) :
CAUTION: First of all, keep informed on the news concerning the coronavirus and decide if it is wise for you to attend Mass at this time. Our Lord certainly could give blanket protection from the coronavirus to all Mass-goers, BUT HE NEVER MADE SUCH A PROMISE! Therefore, it is imprudent to act as if He did.  While we will try to keep the church “clean” we can make no guarantee that it will be sterile or coronavirus-free. For health purposes, consider a trip to church as risky as a trip to the grocery store or a retail store.

PRECAUTIONS: We have taken them and we have rules ; please, make sure that you follow them.
PATIENCE, KINDNESS AND COURTESY: Please, please, practice all three of these when you attend Mass during this pandemic. We always would like people to do this, especially when they come to church, but we need you to do so more than ever. We do not have to tell you that this whole coronavirus pandemic (and the precautions being taken) IS A HUGE PAIN!!!  We hate it!!! We know that many of you believe that this is all a ridiculous over-reaction. Only God knows whether we have over-reacted or whether we are saving the parish and our community at large, especially our senior citizens and vulnerable adults and children, from a hospital overloading crisis and immense suffering and death. Whatever our own opinions might be, we are under orders from the State and the Church to act in a way that is cautious.
 
You may have to wait in a line (a socially distanced line at that!) outside the church doors, in the sun or rain. Be patient. You may not get to sit in your favorite seat, or even your favorite section. Be patient. You may not want to wear a face mask. Be kind. You may not think that it would be a big deal if you caught the virus because you are strong and healthy. Be kind. Some people might walk slowly or not understand the directions. Be courteous. You may not like the directions given to you by the usher or staff member. Be courteous.
 

SOME RULES 

(AND OTHER INFORMATION)

SEATING LIMIT: We have set an informal limit of 200 persons inside the church and gathering space combined. The number that can attend any given Mass is affected by the number of family units, and how many are in each family unit. If everybody came as individuals, there would be less space; only two or three could fit in a given “pew” (in our case, it is lines of chairs), maintaining six feet of distance between parties. If many people come with their spouse and/or children, up to seven persons in the same family unit could sit in the same “pew”. Please realize that there is a slight chance that, at some Sunday Masses, you could be turned away from attending Mass. We think that this is unlikely, since many will stay home out of caution, and others will simply enjoy the dispensation from their Sunday Mass obligation.

MASKS: EVERYONE NEEDS TO WEAR A MOUTH AND NOSE COVERING MASK, BEGINNING WITHIN 30 FEET OF THE CHURCH DOORS. It does not have to be fancy, a bandana or a crew neck T-shirt pulled over your head is fine. EXCEPTIONS: the priest, the music director and choir members, and lectors (when they are at the pulpit reading).  You must leave your mask on in the communion line, and pull it down or off as the person in front of you is receiving communion.  (This may be a difficult/clumsy operation, to have the mask removed and hands ready to receive communion.  Please think about your strategy ahead of time.)

SOCIAL DISTANCING: This strange word describes what seems like an anti-social practice of always standing/sitting at least six feet away from everyone who doesn’t live in your house.

HANDICAPPED/WALKING IMPAIRED: Please use the church door close to the choir (by the Statue of Saint Joseph outside). There are several handicapped parking spaces there. We hope this will be convenient for you and allow traffic to move smoothly at the other doors we have designated for everyone else to enter church.

CHURCH DOORS (ENTERING CHURCH): Other than the door by the choir (which is only for musicians and people with walking handicaps), ONLY TWO CHURCH ENTRANCES WILL BE UNLOCKED FOR MASS: THE MAIN ENTRANCE GLASS DOORWAY AND THE PARALLEL GLASS DOORWAY (ON THE “RIVER” SIDE OF THE CHURCH BY THE RESTROOMS). ALL MUST PASS THROUGH THE GATHERING SPACE. THE DOORS WILL BE UNLOCKED AND PROPPED OPEN 45 MINUTES BEFORE MASS TIME. PLEASE ENTER THESE DOORWAYS, WITH MASKS ON, MAINTAINING SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND AVOIDING TOUCHING THE DOORS, THE HARDWARE, ETC.
 
HYMNALS: There will be NO hymnals nor missalettes in church for the use of the congregation. They have been put away for the time being (They would be a great way to spread the virus). Instead, a song sheet will be provided for Sunday Masses. Please take one on the way in, and throw it away on the way out.

MISSALETTES: These will not be in the chairs or on the rack. IF YOU NEED (OR STRONGLY WANT) A MISSALETTE FOR THE READINGS, PLEASE REQUEST ONE FROM THE STAFF OR AN USHER. WHEN YOU GET IT, IT IS YOURS TO KEEP AND BRING NEXT TIME.

USHERS: Please follow instructions of ushers/staff members with regard to seating, Communion lines and other matters in which they may give direction.

BLUE TAPE: BLUE MASKING TAPE ON THE FLOOR MARKS SOCIAL DISTANCE POINTS FOR INDIVIDUALS/COUPLES/FAMILIES IN LINE WAITING FOR SEATING,(in the Gathering Space) AND FOR THE COMMUNION LINE. Inside church, it will also be ON THE BACKS OF CHAIRS THAT MAY BE USED BY PARTIES OF ONE PERSON (OR ONE PERSON OF A PARTY WITH  MORE THAN ONE).

RESTROOMS: We take pride in our clean restrooms at St. Joseph. We will keep them clean throughout the weekend, but we cannot guarantee that they will be virus- free. Use caution.

CHURCH DOORS (EXITING CHURCH): YOU MAY USE ALL CHURCH DOORS TO EXIT CHURCH; PLEASE BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

SEATING: MANY CHAIRS INSIDE CHURCH WILL BE MARKED WITH BLUE MASKING TAPE. THESE SEATS ARE TO BE USED BY PEOPLE ATTENDING MASS ALONE, OR BY ONE OF THE PEOPLE IN A COUPLE OR A FAMILY GROUP.

COLLECTION BASKETS:  We WILL NOT PASS THE BASKETS FOR COLLECTION. PLEASE USE COLLECTION BASKETS BY THE DOORS (like we do for some other special collections). We ask that parishioners keep a watchful eye on these baskets (there are sometimes thieves at churches).

HAND SANITIZER: We hope that you wash your hands with soap before coming to Mass. We have some hand sanitizer in various places around church. Please use it if necessary. Unfortunately, it is in short supply. If possible, please bring your own and use it as needed. Those distributing Communion will use it right before doing their job.

Well, I think that about does it (Thank God!). Please be cautious, courteous, and docile to directions and rules if you come to Mass at this time. I am very excited to have people gathering for Mass again. I have heard that many of you have been looking forward to this too. God bless all of you who decide to come and all of you who think it better at this time to stay at home. Let’s pray for each other, and that this whole pandemic crisis is behind us soon!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
 
Rev. Andrew J. Umberg, Pastor