Dear parishioners and friends of Blessed Sacrament Church,
I hope you are safe and healthy. There was a real sense of palpable joy last Sunday when the Eucharist fast ended. I heard laughter, greetings, and saw some tears shed. I am happy to announce that starting on Saturday, June 6th, at 4:00 pm, Mass will be Live-Streamed, and the Holy Eucharist will be distributed after Mass in addition to our regular Sunday 10:30 am Mass time.
As we enter a new phase of the global pandemic, we contemplate what "new normal" will look like as citizens and Roman Catholics. There will be a learning curve here for us at Blessed Sacrament as we absorb the "new normal." There will be days when we long for the past when life was simpler. There will be days when we long for the past when social distancing and pandemic were not part of our everyday vocabulary.
I wish to share a thought from the theologian Daniel P. Horan OFM who recently wrote, “Some people are talking about an eventual return to “normal” life once a vaccine is developed or herd immunity achieved. But the experts caution us not to be so Pollyannaish.” It appears that there will be no quick fix to cure us of COVID-19. I must confess that I have been Pollyannaish in thinking that a vaccine will become the cure-all.
So, for now, we are pleased to repeat “RETURN AND RECEIVE” this SUNDAY, MAY 31ST FROM 11:30 AM TO NOON - after the 10:30 am Live Streamed Mass on Facebook. Please adhere to the following which includes minor modifications based on our experience last week:
- Watch our Live Streamed Mass from your home at 10:30 am 5/31 via our Blessed Sacrament Facebook Page.
- Following the final blessing, drive to the Blessed Sacrament Washington Valley Road entrance of the parking lot if you desire to receive Holy Communion.
- Follow the direction of parking lot volunteers.
- Keep your vehicles closed – windows, doors, sunroofs – until it is time to receive Communion.
- Holy Communion stations will be located on the East side of the Church. Communion will be distributed to both sides of the vehicle by Fr. Brian, Seminarian Jose, Fr. Luke, and Deacon Lou.
- Each vehicle will pull forward and put their vehicle in park; the occupants (wearing masks) will indicate their desire to receive Holy Communion by extending their hands through the windows. Occupants should keep their masks on until it is time to consume the host. Everyone must receive Holy Communion in their hands ONLY.
- After Communion, the driver will be directed to exit by the parking lot volunteers so the next vehicle may approach the Communion station.
- Everyone is encouraged to be patient and respectful. Those distributing communion will be wearing masks and will re-purify their hands if they feel the need to do so.
- Please continue to check our Parish website, Flocknotes, and Facebook page for updated information regarding plans for re-opening for Sunday Mass or additional communion distribution times.
Stay healthy and safe,
Fr. Brian J. Nolan, D. Min
