From the desk of Fr. Kevin

Changes for the summer

This week will be the last week we will have 8:15 Mass during the week. We will start up with two Masses when school begins again in August. I realize this is a bit late to be announcing this, but at one time this spring I was thinking we were going to get another priest to replace Fr. Jim. That didn’t happen.  I am keeping the earlier Mass for two rea- sons. First, it is well attended. It is the earliest Mass around this area, and peo- ple from all over the area like to start their day with it and then go to work.

There are several later Masses around the area with five Catholic churches un- der three miles away from HR, four of them with an 8 am Mass.  I will be gone for a couple of weeks this summer, so it made some sense to scale back the daily Masses.

To summarize:

• 6:15 Mass will stay the same throughout the summer
• 8:15 will be cancelled starting on June 16 and will return on a regu- lar basis on August

Local Weekday Masses:

• Michael’s (1.5 miles) 7:00 am
• Mary, Queen of Peace (2.5 miles) 6:45 and 8:00 am
• Annunciation (2.2 miles) 8:00 am
• Mary Magdalen (1.2 miles) 8:00 am and Noon.
• Cure of Ars (2.2 miles) 8:00 am

A Message from the Archdiocese:

A decision has been reached regarding the date for the lifting of the dispensation of the faithful to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski is lifting the dispensation as of July 1, 2021.

We understand that these continue to be uncertain times for everyone, and we want all to feel safe returning to Mass.

Please note that parishioners who are sick, homebound, immunocompromised and gravely concerned for their health retain the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass, which has always been the case in normal times.

Additionally, the safe return of choirs, Holy Water in the Holy Water fonts, hymnals and missalettes in the pews and the usage of offertory baskets is now at the discretion of the pastor of each parish.

The distribution of the Chalice of the Precious Blood during Holy Communion remains prohibited until further notice from the USCCB.

As a reminder, the archdiocese recommends that individuals who have not received a vaccine should follow CDC guidelines. We ask that they be thoughtful of their own health and that of their community in monitor- ing for COVID-19 symptoms related to the use of masks and when it comes to social distancing.

Masks remain optional for those who are fully vaccinated. Capacity restrictions and social-distancing measures at archdiocesan parishes are being determined by the parish pastor based on the size and construct of the parish, and what is needed to provide for the safest possible environment.

Fr. Kevin