PASTOR'S UPDATE
Updated on May 31, 2020
Mailing to Registered Parishioners
Check he weekly Parish Life Update
This is temporarily taking the place
of the Sunday Bulletin.
Parish Office Church Hours Holy Mass
Confessions Pastoral Care Giving
IMPLEMENTING
AOB PHASE 2
Archdiocese of Baltimore (AOB) Phase 2 began on Saturday, May 30, 2020. It is different from Stage 1 of the Maryland Reopening Plan.
REMAIN STEADFAST IN FAITH
Our Lenten theme is, “Steadfast: Growing as a Resolute Christian.” Let us pray for each other as we continue to be steadfast, growing as resolute Christians. We trust in God's steadfast love and mercy during every circumstance.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
To follow Archdiocese of Baltimore directives to comply with the Governor's Executive Orders. Our nation is attempting to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We want lessen human suffering and the burden on the health care system.
I. PARISH OFFICE
Per Archdiocese of Baltimore directives to comply with the Governor's Executive Order, the Parish Office is closed to the public. However, you can reach staff members by phone or email. Our contact information is here. I ask for your patience as we strive to return your voice mail message or email. This is a new situation for us as it is for you.
MASS INTENTIONS
The Parish Office is receiving Mass intention requests. Please do not come to the Parish Office because it is closed to the public per Archdiocese of Baltimore directive to comply with the Governor's Executive Order. Please make your request by phone (Monday - Friday from Noon - 4 PM) or email or mail. Suggested donation is $10. At this time, we will assign the intention to the next available date. We are not able to accommodate specific date requests.
An extra Holy Mass is available o the weekdays until June 30 because the priests are celebrating Holy Mass. So that all may have an opportunity, you may only requests 5 intentions within a month.
APPOINTMENTS WITH PASTOR
Call Father Harris (410-922-3800, ext. 6) or you can send an email (rharris@archbalt.org) to arrange to meet over the phone. Confession cannot be heard via telephone or via video conference.
II. CHURCH BUILDING OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
Tuesday 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Thursday 10 AM - Noon
Saturday 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Other times will be announced soon.
The parish needs volunteers who will serve as monitors for one or two hours. Please let Father Harris know If you are willing to serve (rharris@archbalt.org).
The Archdiocese of Baltimore requires a staff member or a volunteer to be on site to ensure compliance with the following regulations.
1. The Archdiocese strongly recommends those with pre-existing conditions and/or those who are age 60+ to avoid putting themselves at risk by coming to liturgies.
2. You must take your temperature at home before you leave. If you have a fever, or are sick, or suspect that you may have (or was exposed to) a contagious illness, please stay home and take care of yourself. If you are awaiting test results for COVID-19 or any contagious illness, you may not come to the parish campus, whether or not you have symptoms.
3. [Updated May 31, 2020] Only 40 persons can be in the church building (i.e., nave and narthex) at one time.
4. Persons aged 2 and older must wear a mask. If you bring a child with you, they must remain in one place.
5. You must sit in one of the designated pews and at least six feet away from another person, unless you are with someone who lives with you. For sanitary reasons, a person may not kneel or lay prostrate on the carpet or in the sanctuary.
6. After you have concluded your time with the Lord, the volunteer must sanitize where you sat or knelt and whatever else you have touched.
III. HOLY MASS
We plan to resume Holy Mass with the presence o the faithful (so-called "public Mass" by Sunday, June 14. Please check this website for updates.
Why? Because we need to recruit and train ushers and cleaning crew members as required by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Can you help? Email Father Harris (rharris@archbalt.org).
Ushers guide people to enter, find seating, during the Communion Procession, and to depart. Offertory will be received in containers on a table after Holy Mass. You won't touch anyone or anything except opening the doors for Holy Mass. Training will be provided.
Cleaning Crew members will clean the church after Holy Mass. You would use sanitizing wipes on pews where people sat, sanctuary railing, sanctuary chairs, the top of the Ambo (pulpit), door knobs, and the restrooms (sink, toilet, door knob). We will provide the gloves and sanitizing wipes. You supply the mask. We don't envision it taking longer than 30 minutes.
In the meantime, we continue to live-stream Holy Mass and devotions.
The live-stream is on Facebook here.
You do not need a Facebook account to view it.
Sunday
Holy Mass at 10 AM
Monday - Saturday
Rosary at 8 AM
Holy Mass at 8:30 AM
When public Masses resume, please be aware of the following.
1. The Sunday Mass Obligation continues to be suspended. The Archdiocese strongly recommends those with pre-existing conditions and/or those who are age 60+ to avoid putting themselves at risk by coming to liturgies.
2. Check your health condition. You must take your temperature at home before you leave. If you have a fever, or are sick, or suspect that you may have (or was exposed to) a contagious illness, please stay home and take care of yourself. If you are awaiting test results for COVID-19 or any contagious illness, you may not come to the parish campus, whether or not you have symptoms.
3. Children must observe social distance norms. If you bring children, they must be able to stay in one place. Otherwise, for the sake of their health and the health of others, they should not come to Holy Mass. For social distance reasons, the multipurpose room is not available.
4. Only 1/3 capacity. For religious gatherings, Governor Hogan set the maximum at 1/2 capacity with social distancing norms followed. Archbishop Lori has set the maximum in Catholic churches at 1/3 capacity with the same conditions. At Holy Family Church, this means 40 persons. We will explore whether we should also have one Sunday Holy Mass in the Hall.
5. Wearing a mask is required for persons aged 2 and older.
6. Greeting others: While we will be happy to see others, greet them with words and a wave. Please do not congregate, hug, kiss, shake hands, etc.
7. Restroom protocol: You must follow the provided instructions to clean the area after use.
8. Seating protocol: You must sit in the designated pews. Persons who live in the same residence can sit together. Otherwise, you must sit six feet away from the nearest person. The church multipurpose room will not be available.
9. Offertory Collection will be at the end of Holy Mass. Your monetary gifts will be placed in designated buckets after Holy Mass as you leave the building.
10. Our Father: Please do not hold hands with others while we pray The Lord’s Prayer.
11. Sign of Peace: It is omitted.
12. Communion Procession: Follow the priest’s instruction. No one may remain in the pew. Those who are not receiving Holy Communion will receive a blessing.
Volunteers needed: We need men and women age 18+ to serve as ushers and on the cleaning crew. You must bring your mask. We will provide the other material. We will provide training.
See also this video explanation from the Archdiocese of Baltimore at this link.
We look forward to the day in which these precautions will not be necessary.
IV. CONFESSIONS
Tuesday 6:45 PM - 7:30 PM
Saturday 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Other times will be announced soon.
The parish needs volunteers who will serve as monitors to ensure compliance with directives and to sanitize areas. Please let Father Harris know If you are willing to serve (rharris@archbalt.org).
1, The Archdiocese strongly recommends those with pre-existing conditions and/or those who are age 60+ to avoid putting themselves at risk by coming to liturgies.
2. You must take your temperature at home before you leave. If you have a fever, or are sick, or suspect that you may have (or was exposed to) a contagious illness, please stay home and take care of yourself. If you are awaiting test results for COVID-19 or any contagious illness, you may not come to the parish campus, whether or not you have symptoms.
3. Only 10 persons can be in the church building (i.e., nave and narthex) at one time.
4. Persons aged 2 and older must wear a mask. If you bring a child with you, they must remain in one place.
5. Confessions will be heard in the sacristy and outside. Signs will direct you to the sacristy and where to stand in line, keeping six feet away from the next person in line.
6. Please keep your confessions to the point. The priest may have a pre-existing medical condition. If you desire further conversation, please arrange to speak with he priest over the telephone or via video conference. We are here to serve you.
7. If you sit or kneel in one the designated pews, the volunteer must sanitize where you sat or knelt and whatever else you have touched. For sanitary reasons, a person may not kneel or lay prostrate on the carpet or in the sanctuary
8. If you use the restroom, you must follow the provided instructions to clean the area after use.
Learn what the Church teaches about making an Act of Perfect Contrition when sacramental confession is not available here.
V. PASTORAL CARE
APPOINTMENTS WITH PASTOR
Call Father Harris (410-922-3800, ext. 6) or send an email (rharris@archbalt.org). Usually your issue can be handled by phone or email. This include counseling via telephone. Confessions cannot be heard via telephone or via video conference.
PASTORAL EMERGENCIES
Per Archdiocese of Baltimore directives, anointings by priests not serving as hospital chaplains are only to be offered in cases where the individual is actively dying.
BAPTISMS
[Updated May 28, 2020] Baptisms may be scheduled. Only 40 persons can be in the church, which includes the priest or deacon. Persons ages 2+ must wear a mask and follow the protocols given by the priest or deacon. These protocols will be provided in writing to the parent(s) and summarized before the ritual begins.
Parents can participate in a Baptismal Preparation Conference now if this is your first child t be baptized. Contact Mrs. JoAnn Harvan-Chin (joann.harvan@archbalt.org or 410-922-3800, ext. 5).
FUNERALS
[Updated May 28, 2020] Funeral liturgies (whether a Holy Mass or outside of a Holy Mass) are permitted in the church. Only 40 persons may be present, which includes the priest, any assisting ministers, and funeral home staff. Due to the risks involved for the clergy and the family, the Archdiocese has prohibited physical greetings by the clergy. To avoid further risk of contagion, there will be no singing. Other protocols of Holy Mass (see below) must be followed.
VISITING HOMES
Per Archdiocese of Baltimore directives, we cannot visit homes at this time. This is to protect the homebound. Some of us may be carrying a virus even if we do not have symptoms.
HOSPITAL VISITS
Per Archdiocese of Baltimore directives, the priests cannot visit the hospital unless there is a person actively dying and the hospital allows us to visit.
BOOK OF INTENTIONS
[Updated on April 25, 2020] You can add your prayer request to the Book of Intentions in the narthex. Learn about it here.