Bishop Burbidge has announced that all restrictions on Mass will be lifted effective May 28! For St Mary, that means starting May 28, there will be no seating restrictions, and no ushers walking you to your seats, and no required distance between family groups. Masks are only required for those who are unvaccinated, but we cannot and will not be asking people to provide any proof of vaccination.
HOWEVER, please be aware that the dispensation from attending Sunday Mass remains in effect for a little while longer, according to the Bishop. We will continue to stream the daily Mass at 9am and 8:30am Sunday and 2:30pm Sunday in Spanish until the dispensation is lifted.
IN ADDITION, St Mary will provide 1 “COVID SAFE” Mass for a while longer while parishioners are adjusting to the change. The 8:30am HCA Mass on Sunday will still require masks and social distancing. All other Masses at St Mary and Holy Cross will not.
One final note: for those who arrive at St Mary and find a crowded church and are uncomfortable, we will leave the PLC open for live streaming and communion for a little while longer.
All Middle and High Schoolers are invited to attend the Diocesan Kings Dominion Day on July 23 from 9am-8pm. Please fill out and return the attached permission to the main office no later than July 12.
On June 24, per the Bishop’s appointment Fr. Kelly will be moving to Leesburg for assignment to both St. John the Apostle, and further studies at Divine Mercy University in Sterling. Yep. He is so good that he gets two assignments!
I have greatly appreciated his presence and wisdom in the rectory. Every answer is well thought out and insightful. The entire parish has benefited from his ability to teach concisely and precisely. He will be greatly missed, even if he never could get on my ‘orange train.’ God Bless the Irishman!
Fr. Phillip Cozzi will be coming from Front Royal to replace him, thank you for welcoming him.
Priest moves always present a moment of sadness and necessity. As we close out the Easter season, we recall Jesus leaving so that He could send us the Spirit in power and might on Pentecost Sunday! He loves and sanctifies us in millions of ways every day from Baptism to the grave. The coming and going of priests is a concrete reminder to all of the faithful that we must love Jesus first, not the men who serve Him.
Masks and Social distancing?
Recently Governor Northam noted that “CDC guidelines state that fully-vaccinated individuals do not have to wear masks in most indoor settings, except on public transit, in health care facilities, and in congregate settings” Having consulted with diocesan lawyers, it is unclear if “congregate settings” include religious services. Additionally we understand that many parishioners will interpret this announcement to mean they can attend Mass without wearing a face covering. We do not desire to inhibit vaccinated folks from worshiping and nor do we wish to inquire about anyone’s vaccination status.
Next weekend the social distancing and capacity requirement in the church will be eliminated. If you desire a little more controlled environment, we intend to keep the PLC open for socially distanced seating.
Additionally, the 8:30 am Mass at HCA (that was added for the pandemic) will remain “Masks-required” and “Social Distanced Seating.” This is being done for our most vulnerable parishioners so that they can have an option with which they are comfortable.
Above all we encourage charity, understanding and patience with one another. And that is this year’s theme: “Love one Another, especially during a pandemic.”
There is another round of scam emails and texts going around asking for gifts and money and pretending to be parishioners. Once again, Father will never randomly text out of the blue and ask for money or gift cards. Please be vigilant.
