COVID-19 Updates
March 17th, 2021 (Feast of St. Patrick of Ireland)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I would like to share with you an update on the current religious Covid-19 restrictions and how we plan to minister under these current restrictions.
I think it is safe for me to say without a doubt, that for the past year, we have all gone through difficult times with Covid-19 (which is real and should not be taken lightly). During this year we have had many changes to the restrictions of our lives and it seems as if these restrictions are constantly changing from week to week. As many of you have heard, another change has recently been implemented by the civil authorities – faith groups are now allowed to gather for religious services with up to 15% occupancy (for St. Mary’s this means that about 125 people can be at the church at any one time). This is not what we were hoping for, but it does allow parishioners to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist and to gather for other important events such as funerals, weddings and baptisms.
I would like to share with you how we will be able to minister at St. Mary’s parish with these new restrictions in place.
Sacramental Ministry at St. Mary’s (at 15% occupancy):
- All masses are now open for parishioners to attend:
- Weekday masses are celebrated at 9am (Monday to Saturday) and on Fridays at 7pm
- Our Holy hour is celebrated from 6-7pm
- Sunday Masses are celebrated at 5pm (Saturday vigil Mass) and Sunday at 8am, 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm in Spanish (additional masses may be added where needed).
(Live-streaming will continue for weekday masses and on Sundays at 11am and 2pm in Spanish)
- Funerals are celebrated with a maximum of 120 people (i.e. 15% occupancy)
- Weddings are celebrated with a maximum of 120 people (i.e. 15% occupancy)
- Baptisms are celebrated with a maximum of 120 people (i.e. 15% occupancy)
Parish Office Ministry at St. Mary’s:
- The office is currently closed and staff are working from home:
- Emails and phone messages are checked daily by our staff.
- Appointments can be made to meet with face to face with one of the priests, or with Liz our Pastoral Assistant. Please call, or email us to book an appointment.
- Mass Intention - Until the office is opened we are not able to accommodate requests of Mass intentions.
Parish Groups and other Ministries at St. Mary’s:
- Parish groups and ministries are encouraged to stay connected – by the various means available to us via the internet. But face to face gatherings are not allowed at this time.
- Use of the parish facilities – The parish hall and meeting rooms are not available for meetings or gatherings until further notice.
Confessions for Lent:
- Confessions are available for the preparation for Lent on:
- Monday March 22nd from 10am - 12noon and 5pm - 7pm
- Wednesday March 24th from 10am - 12noon and 5pm - 7pm
- Friday March 26th from 10am - 12noon and 5pm - 7pm
- Saturday March 27th from 10am - 12noon
- Monday March 29th from 10am - 12noon and 5pm - 7pm
- Wednesday March 31st from 10am - 12noon and 5pm - 7pm
Confession during the Easter Season and beyond:
- Confessions are available:
- Fridays from 6pm - 7pm
- Saturdays from 9:45am - 11am
Palm Sunday Schedule (Tickets are required through the Eventbrite Platform):
- Saturday vigil Masses at 5pm and 6:30pm
- Sunday Masses at 8am, 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm (Spanish), 3:30pm (Spanish), 5pm and 6:30pm.
Note: Palms will be distributed as you walk into the church by our Ministers of Hospitality (i.e. Ushers)
Holy Week Schedule:
- Holy Monday – 9am Mass
- Holy Tuesday – 9am Mass
- Holy Wednesday – 9am Mass
- Holy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper – 7pm (Tickets are required through the Eventbrite Platform)
- There will be limited capacity at this Mass and therefore all others are encouraged to participate via Live-stream.
(Note: No 9am Mass this day)
- Good Friday – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion – 10:30am, 12noon (Spanish), 1:30pm, 3pm, 4:30pm and 6pm (Tickets are required through the Eventbrite Platform)
- There will be limited capacity at each Liturgy and therefore all others are encouraged to participate via Live-stream for the 12noon in Spanish and 3pm in English.
- Stations of the Cross will be Live-streamed at 8pm
(Note: No 9am Mass, no Holy Hour and no 7pm Mass this day)
- Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil (The Resurrection of the Lord) – 8pm (Tickets are required through the Eventbrite Platform)
- There will be limited capacity and therefore all others are encouraged to participate via Live-stream.
(Note: No 9am or 5pm Mass this day)
- Easter Sunday – The Resurrection of the Lord(Tickets are required through the Eventbrite Platform):
- Mass at 8am, 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm (Spanish), 3:30pm (Spanish), 5pm and 6:30pm.
- There will be limited capacity at each mass – those unable to get a ticket are encouraged to participate via Live-stream for the 11am and 2pm (Spanish) masses.
Dispensation from the Sunday Mass continues for those with compromised immune systems or other health conditions and for those who are elderly – these group should exercise extreme caution when going out, which includes attendance at church.
It’s important to point out that if you are leaving your home for work, or visiting grocery stores or other stores, then it is presumed that you can go to church as well and therefore the dispensation from your Sunday obligation does not apply to you.
However, since we are limited in the numbers of who can attend any one celebration, if someone attempts to get a ticket for a celebration, but is unable due to capacity limits, then the dispensation would apply and people would therefore be encouraged to participate via Live-stream and receive communion spiritually.
Let us pray that soon we will be able to gather around the Table of the Lord as we did before. But until then, be assured that you continue to remain in my prayers – please keep us in your prayers as well.
Blessings,
Fr. Liborio Amaral
