**Attention St. Mary's Parishioners!!!**
Dear Parishioners,
We are excited to announce the church doors are open! We will begin Masses on the weekend of May 30 and 31. Yes, we are reopening, but there are some guidelines we will follow. New guidelines are in place for the time being as health safety precautions for all of our members. You can always check out the Archdiocese of Cincinnati website and review them at any time. Things may change as we go along and we’ll do our best to keep you apprised through bulletin information, through our website and Facebook page.
Guidelines
* The faithful continue to be dispensed from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass. Those who are at risk and/or have health issues are encouraged to stay at home and continue to view a live-streaming Mass and make an act of spiritual communion.
*Those that are not working or are retired are encouraged to attend a weekday Mass if possible. Weekend Mass numbers will be very limited.
*Beginning May 25, weekday Masses are as follows: Daily Mass on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8 am or communion service if Father White’s health is poor that day. He will have private Mass for the daily intention if he isn’t having public Mass.
*Beginning May 30/31, weekend Masses are as follows: (1) Saturday Mass at 5:30 pm and (1) Sunday Mass at 10:30 am.
*Confessions are available by appointment.
*Anointing of the sick is available by appointment.
*Please call the office in advance to schedule a baptism.
*Masks are strongly encouraged. There will be masks available at the entrances to the church, if you don’t have one. Please pick one up. You may take it home with you and keep it. There are wipes and hand sanitizer at the doors. Our staff will be cleaning everything after each Mass. If you come in during the day to pray, feel free to wipe down the areas that you come in contact with using wipes located at the doors.
*A six foot distance is required. Families who come in together do not need to keep this distance from each other but please be respectful of your distance from others in the parish. Families will sit on Mary’s side of the church and individuals on Joseph’s side. There will be signs posted with this designation. Ushers will dismiss rows for receiving communion. Please keep a six foot distance at all times. Pews will be marked for seating. The middle aisle carpet will be marked for receiving communion. We are not having children serve at Mass at this time.
*If the church is full, there will be a sign posted at the front doors.
*There will only be 1 Mass per day. If it happens that a funeral is scheduled, that will be the Mass for the day.
*There will be no books in the pews. There will be music but no singing from the congregation. We may have a cantor.
*There won’t be Holy water in the fonts.
*The gifts of bread and wine will be at the credence table in the sanctuary.
*No physical contact at the Our Father or Sign of Peace.
*Distributors will use hand sanitizer before Holy Communion.
*We will receive Holy Communion reverently in the hand.
*No books or papers to be left in the pews. Please take a Word & Song book home with you and bring it back to Mass each time, if you like. You could also follow along with the readings from an app, like Laudate, from your phone.
*There will be 2 collection baskets located on the steps in front of Mary and Joseph’s altars for collections. Please drop your collection in the basket after receiving Communion.
*Children’s Liturgy of the Word will be resumed when the pandemic is over.
*Ushers will be available to help with questions and/or direction.
*To obtain SCRIP, please contact the school.
* Father White’s health is an ongoing concern. Each day, we will see if he is up to the task of celebrating Mass. Some days, he is in too much pain. On those days, we will have a communion service. Please continue to keep Fr. White in your prayers.
*If you have any symptoms of illness, please stay home.
This process is what the government has called a “soft opening”. We will figure out what works, what doesn’t and try to improve as we go. Please be patient with us. As the Governor says, “we are in this together” We’ll get through it together. Christ will light our way.
We are thankful to be able to worship together again, whatever that looks like. We’ve missed all of you!
Fr. John White and The Staff at St. Mary’s Church
All the information you need to create an account is on the ParishSoft & My Home Church page tab above. If you have any problems or questions, call the rectory at 937-548-1616. Our staff will be happy to help you.
We are pleased to announce that St. Mary's Church provides online giving through software called ParishSoft Giving. This is a convenient and safe way to make a one-time or recurring donation. Getting started is easy- just click the link below and follow instructions for first time user. When you participate, your gift will transfer directly into the parish bank account. And you won't have to remember to write a check or stop by the ATM on Sundays! If you still want to place something in the offertory basket, just write "I gave online" on your church envelope. Don't have an envelope? Call the rectory at 937-548-1616. We'll be happy to help.
Here's the link for our new Online Giving!!
http://giving.parishsoft.com/stmary
Other ways to give: You can still send your donation to the church. You can set up a donation through BillPay through your bank. Please pray for our church and church family.
Please share your prayer requests with the parish. Send an email or call the office. If you are a member of the parish and are in need, please call the office at 937-548-1616. Your requests will remain confidential. I will be adding a prayer page to the website and add requests as they come in.
Until Further Notice:
No Daily Mass
No Weekend Masses
No Adoration on Wednesdays
The church doors will be open 9am-3pm Monday through Friday.
*Subscribe to Ascension Press's YouTube Channel to follow along with Father Mike Schmitz.
*Father Robert Barron live-streams daily Mass from his channel as well.
*The Pope is asking us to pray the Rosary at 4pm (our time) around the world in unity with each other.
*Parents and Catechists: Bored? Want to learn something spiritual? You can visit Ruah Woods website. They are offering Theology of the Body training FREE for the next 5 weeks. Look for "Called to be More" training.
FORMED.ORG
Try FORMED.org They have some great resources during this virus shutdown. Lots of good movies and studies to choose from --- Parish Code EY9TXE and enjoy the enrichment and refreshing thoughts for your mental and spiritual well being! Join people around the country who are benefiting from FORMED.
Finding Happiness in Marriage
Beloved is a video-based study program by the Augustine Institute that explores the true meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage. In twelve sessions, couples will discover the deepest spiritual, emotional, and practical realities of marriage through Scripture, Tradition, and Church teaching. They’ll see firsthand how to experience the wonder, mystery, and joy of this sacrament—from that first “I do” through the rest of their lives.Beloved sessions are presented on a 6-DVD set, and kits come complete with Couple’s and Leader’s Guides – everything you need to experience the full power of Beloved for a marriage preparation program.
There are a lot of great movies, books and audio talks on formed.org. All parishioners are encouraged to watch FREE with our parish subscription to Formed. Just visit formed.org.
Reconciliation is Saturday 4-5 pm or by appointment.
Baptisms are the 1st Sunday of the month after the 10:30 am Mass. Parents are required to attend a baptismal preparation class in advance. Please call the parish office to schedule.
Marriages are scheduled at least six months in advance. Please call the parish office to schedule a meeting with the pastor.
This week's bulletin. Please go to the Bulletins tab at the top of the page to get the current bulletin. Thank you.
