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Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after the 8am Mass till 7pm

My Dear St. Patrick’s Parishioners,

“Be not afraid”, “Do not fear”, are messages we hear throughout Scripture. This is also the message our Bishop gave last year, shortly after the Covid-19 crisis struck the United States. Therefore, I hope this is the message we receive and live out every day and in light of Governor Abbott’s lifting of the mask mandate and the reopening of all facilities in Texas.

With this upcoming change, Bishop Strickland has issued updated instructions regarding the observance of the liturgy in the Diocese of Tyler.

Please read His Excellency’s letter, which I am including with this message.

Bishop’s Letter:

Because of the progress being made against the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has announced that he is increasing the capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100 percent and lifting his mask requirement for the state.

 

Governor Abbott said that COVID-19 has not disappeared and that “removing state mandates does not end personal responsibility.” The governor stressed that removing these mandates doesn’t abandon safe practices. The same applies to our churches. We are still in a pandemic that has tragically caused over 500,000 deaths in the United States and there is still a virus that can easily spread if we are not careful.

 

I ask and expect all clergy and faithful to continue to take measures to keep everyone safe. This is essential in order to protect the health of our communities and so that we do not lose the progress that, by God’s grace, has been made against COVID-19.

 

In light of the actions taken by the governor, I issue the following updates and instructions:

 

Dispensation. The general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Day of Obligation that I issued in March of 2020 is withdrawn as of March 10, 2021. Many have already returned to Mass, and I encourage everyone to do so now, aware of the centrality of the Mass to our lives as Catholics and the obligation attached to it.

 

One does not have an obligation to attend Mass if you are sick or in a high-risk category for COVID-19; if you were recently in contact with a sick person; if you care for the sick or homebound; if you are pregnant; or if you have a significant fear or anxiety of becoming ill by being at Mass.

 

Seating at Mass. Pastors may open additional pews in churches, but all must be responsible for observing social distancing (6-feet between households) according to CDC guidelines. Depending on the church, seating every other pew may still be the best way to maintain social distancing, per the Texas Minimum Standard Health Protocols for churches. Pastors should consider making special areas available for vulnerable persons.

 

Masks. While there is no requirement to wear masks, and it is an individual choice, I encourage all to continue to follow the recommendations of the CDC.

 

Holy Communion. Churches in the diocese will continue to distribute Holy Communion only in the form of bread. Ministers of Communion must continue to observe the practices that are currently in place.

 

Holy Water and Hymnals. Parishes may make holy water, hymnals, and missalettes available. Holy water should be changed, and fonts/stoups cleaned frequently.

 

Events. Parish social events, classes, and other activities are permitted if CDC guidelines can be followed.

 

Other. Parishes should continue to observe heightened sanitization and hygiene standards for common surfaces. Hand sanitizer should continue to be made available.

 

Let us continue to be mindful of the sanctity of the life of each person we encounter and, in love, do our part to keep our families, friends, and communities safe and healthy.

 

+ Joseph E. Strickland
Bishop of Tyler

Please note particularly that the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days has been withdrawn. However, for those in high-risk groups, and certain other individuals, this dispensation remains in effect. Additionally, for the safety of all, Bishop Strickland encourages individuals attending Mass may continue to wear masks and to observe other CDC-recommended precautionary measures.

At St. Patrick’s, we will continue to sanitize the pews, make hand sanitizer available, and observe other protective measures.

One specific measure we will be taking is to cord off every other pew in the section near the baptismal font for those who are more vulnerable to Covid-19.

We will also be gradually resuming Faith Formation classes at St. Patrick’s in the near future and will be scheduling more in-person activities. As the people of God, we are called to gather, for there is power where two or three come together in the name of the Lord. Of course, we will always strive to do so safely and respectfully. I will send out additional information when dates and details have been determined.

As always, I am available to answer any concerns or questions you may have.

Let’s pray for one another.

God Bless!

Fr. Denzil Vithanage

Your Pastor

 

• • • The Parish Office is open during regular hours (Monday-Friday, 8 AM – 4 PM) . However, we ask that if you can conduct your business by phone or email, please do so.

As this situation changes we will be updating our website at http://stpatrickslufkin.com and our Facebook page. Please, send us your email address if you do not receive this email and would like to receive an email update. Please email stpatrickchurhlufkin@yahool.com. We ask that you forward this information to other parishioners.

• The Parish office remains open, but we are asking you to contact us via phone 936-634-6833.

• You can also email us at stpatrickchurchlufkin@yahoo.com, or our Finance and Operations Executive, Michael Molina at stpatricklufkin@gmail.com

Please click on the link to support St. Patrick’s by giving your offering online or by collection basket located in the church foyer.

https://www.givecentral.org/location/859

Saturday Vigil 5PM (English) 7PM (Spanish),
Sunday 9 AM (English),
Sunday 11AM (Spanish), and
Sunday 5 PM (English).