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All normal meetings/ activities/ events at the church (except limited Masses, Saturday confessions, and adoration in the main church) are suspended until further notice.
See information on public and live stream Masses, Confessions, Adoration, and Office Hours here.
We will be reviewing these things on a day-to-day basis, and will send updates out on Flocknote as needed.Flocknote is available through an app so you don't have to keep checking your email. You can download it for free through your smartphone's App Store (Apple) or Play Store (Android). You can adjust the settings to get immediate notification as soon as a Flocknote message arrives.
We want to avoid the panic that has gripped so many people, but at the same time exercise the virtue of prudence.
How Holy Family is addressing the coronavirus situation:Adjusting to the situation
We have been prayerfully digesting the governor's recommendations and following Archbishop Hebda's directives. Now, after pondering everything and consulting with an expert in infectious diseases, I would like to share with you our updated protocols which will go into effect immediately:
1. See information on publics and live streamed Masses, Confessions, Adoration, and Office Hours here.
2. Preventative Measures:
Please stay away from church and work and anywhere else public if you have any symptoms whatsoever of any malady! We cannot be careful enough! And wash hands often and thoroughly as the best preventive measure! When you do come into church, please make sure to maintain distance from your neighbors, wash your hands, etc.
3. Thorough Cleaning:
Daily disinfecting procedures (including a very thorough "misting" technique) have been implemented in our facilities. We are being as proactive as we can be! Classes at the school have (sadly) been cancelled for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year.
4. Clergy News:
Due to Fr. Welzbacher’s age, he will remain at our retired priests’ residence for the foreseeable future to keep him safe. He assures everyone of his prayers! Fr. Milless’ work as a hospital chaplain means that he will eventually be exposed to the coronavirus. In the interest of not bringing any contamination back to the parish, he will not be coming to Holy Family any more at this time. Deacon Michael Nevin is director of spiritual care in a senior care and nursing home, so it is also imprudent for him to be here and possibly bring the virus back to that facility.
5. Holy Water & Blessed Candles:
Holy water fonts are emptied. Holy water is still available at the dispenser at the west side door, near the BVM chapel. Please bring your own bottle from home as we are running short of empty bottles. Feel free to use holy water frequently in your homes as a spiritual means of protection from harm. Also, feel free to take home some blessed candles (make an offering here) for use during live stream Masses or in-home devotionals.
6. Traveling Vocations Chalice:
The traveling vocations chalice program has been suspended until further notice.
7. Monetary Collections:
Thank you for your continued generosity. All collections at church are encouraged online instead of in person or through the mail (we want to avoid contamination for our money counters). Please give your weekly contribution or other donations online here.
8. Intercession from Our Lady:
Following the 11am Mass on Sunday, March 15, we had a solemn procession around our church and school invoking God's protection through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We carried in honor the copy of the image of Our Lady which Pope St. Gregory the Great carried in procession in Rome 1,400 years ago and through whose intercession the plague was stopped. We have enshrined this image in our sanctuary, where it will remain until this pandemic ceases. See the image and a special prayer for during this health crisis here.
9. On the Risk of COVID-19:
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists anywhere people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and people with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Holy Family Catholic Church has undertaken precautionary cleaning, disinfecting, and implemented social distancing guidelines to help reduce the risk of exposure. However, Holy Family Catholic Church cannot guarantee that visitors are 100% safe from exposure to COVID-19. Therefore, Holy Family Catholic Church recommends that people over 65 or with underlying health conditions not attend Mass at this time and continue to worship online.
Attendance at liturgies is at your own risk.
May God bless us and protect us!
Mary, Health of the Sick, pray for us!
Saint Joseph, Head and Protector of the Holy Family, pray for us!Please pray for all those affected—for a halt to the spread of coronavirus, the healing of the sick, the protection of our healthcare workers, and the full restoration at the earliest possible moment of the sacramental life of the Church!