Yesterday afternoon, Auxiliary Bishop Michael Boulette sent out a letter with the wonderful news that we will be able to further loosen the restrictions put into place for the Covid-19 Pandemic just over a year ago.
Starting this weekend, communion may be received in the hand or on the tongue. Also, we will place the missalettes back in the pews so that everyone can easily join in singing the Mass. Lastly, we will begin using collection baskets during Offertory and will have the Procession of the Gifts.
The following restrictions will remain in place for the time being:
With a grateful heart we are happy to announce that the Archdiocese has lifted further restrictions! We are excited to relay to you, for those who have been vaccinated, masks and social distancing are no longer required. Verification of the vaccine will not be necessary, as it is our hope that we can all work on the honor system.
There are a few restrictions that will remain for your benefit:
As always, please stay home if you are not feeling well. Thank you again for your commitment to the health and safety of our parish family!
Your brother in Christ,
Father John
The letter from Bishop Boulette, D.Min.,V.G., Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio, is available in English and Spanish.
| Dear Brothers & Sisters, During this extraordinary time of pandemic, you have all been so patient and supportive. We have been blessed by your efforts to curb the spread of the COVID19 virus and keep our parish community safe by complying with all restrictions. Whether it was your acceptance of limitations at Masses, dealing with the challenges of adapting our everyday activities, or cancellations of our joyous gatherings and beloved celebrations, your understanding and hard work have been very much appreciated! It has been more than a year since all of the restrictions were implemented. As you know, last month the Archbishop began to relax these measures to allow parishes to regain some normality. The next phase is to remove the Dispensation to attend Sunday Mass as of May 23, 2021, Pentecost Sunday. Once again, we wish to extend our sincere thanks to all of you for your patience during this difficult time. We will continue to keep you posted as the restrictions are modified by the Archbishop. As a reminder, we are still adhering to the following restrictions:
Thank you for being a team player! We'll see you Sunday! Your brother in Christ, Father John To read the Archbishop's letter, please click here to view in English or Spanish. |
Along with social distancing and mask usage, it appears that the recent increase in vaccinations has led to a significant decline in COVID-19 new cases, hospitalizations and deaths, even as Texas has fully opened its economy. These successes are likely to continue as more people are vaccinated each week. It is very important that people continue to be vaccinated, and that this positive momentum not be lost.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Archdiocese of San Antonio has balanced the spiritual needs of the faith community with the serious physical dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic. Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, took swift, measured and appropriate action to protect the people of the archdiocese, and the archdiocese has continued to be vigilant for more than a year.
We must still remain vigilant, however, it seems prudent to begin to relax some of the restrictions which reduce the number of parishioners who can participate in the Mass and receive the Eucharist.
Beginning Wednesday, March 31, 2021, parishes may open all pews and reduce the social distancing requirements in the sanctuary from 6 feet to 3 feet.
It is to be emphasized that mask usage and thorough facility sanitation are still required in accordance with previous proclamations. Those protocols remain unchanged. Masks must be worn in church.
The archdiocese will continue to evaluate the health situation as more information becomes available and make appropriate changes to our guidelines as circumstances dictate.
I am so please that attendance has been very good for all of our weekend masses! As you might suppose, our 9:00 AM Mass is the most attended.
In an effort to prevent anyone feeling frustrated or more, I want to let you know that if everyone attends as planned, we only have eight unassigned places for the 9am mass on Sunday. If a person has not signed up in advance, there is a fairly good possibility that there will not be available space.
Our plan is to fill all 60 places on the list. Once that happens, anyone who arrives and is not on the list may wait outside until mass time. Then, if anyone has not filled their seat, we will admit those who are waiting up to our limit of 60.
3:00 PM on Friday is our cut off, because I leave the office then and have already printed the sheets and put them in the church.
Attendance at weekend Masses is limited to 25% capacity. Please contact Trudy at the church office to reserve your spot - (830) 644-2368 or email stfrancisx@beecreek.net prior to 3:00 PM on Friday.
This week, we reviewed the guidelines provided by the Archdiocese of San Antonio that were issued in May for the reopening of the masses the weekend of May 23-24, 2020. The only adjustment that we identified was the mask requirement. The guidelines state "Masks will be required for all persons except those too young to wear a mask throughout the Mass and anyone unable to remove a mask without assistance." Therefore, beginning the weekend of September 12/13, St. Francis Xavier will follow this requirement. For the full set of guidelines provided by the Archdiocese, please follow this link: Mass Guidelines.
Dear parishioners and families of St. Francis Xavier,
First, let us rejoice that we will soon be together once again in greater numbers for the celebration of the Eucharist. As you all are aware Archbishop Gustavo announced last week that the public celebration of daily Masses beginning on Tuesday, May 19th, and the weekend Masses on May 23rd and 24th, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord will resume once again. However, the faithful who are concerned for their health are dispensed from the Sunday obligation, which will continue until the Archbishop revokes it. It has been approximately TEN weeks since the public celebration of Mass has been suspended due to global pandemic of COVID-19. As I type this letter, my prayer and hope is that you are doing your best with staying home and keeping safe. As Catholics, we place our trust and hope in our God, who in His mercy, leads us to the safe shores. At the moment, the parish staff, volunteers, and I are preparing to gradually open our parish for the public celebration of Mass. This involves deeper communication, profound personal and social responsibility. Based on the directives from the Archdiocese task force for COVID-19, and from civil health officials, we will be implementing these best practices/strict measures, to safeguard everyone's health.
These best practices will bring temporary changes to our liturgy. Here are just a few changes you see when you return to Mass. First, we will be limited to 60 parishioners these next few weeks, as we do our best to gradually and safely reopen. In order to reserve a seat for you or your family at a weekend mass, please call the office or email with the names of each person who will attend and which mass you want to attend. At this time, weekday masses will not require this step. These are but a few of the changes you will experience. Other changes you need to be aware of can be found below. Please keep in mind these changes are only temporary until which time we get a better handle on the pandemic.
Prior to Mass:
I have received a few emails and text messages from those of you over the age of 65. Many have asked if those 65 or older can come to Mass. The answer is absolutely YES. The Archbishop and I simply want to make sure that our seniors, those most at risk, know they still have a dispensation to the weekend Mass, should they choose to not to attend because of potential risks involved.
Lastly, I ask that each of us remain patient with one another and with these temporary changes. I know it is hard on many of you. Know that Fr. Jean Baptiste and myself, have never ceased praying for you and your families. Please continue being the amazing parishioners I have come to know. Let us love one another and be patient with all of these temporary changes. May we draw our strength from the abundance of God's love manifested through the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. May the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother help us in these times of uncertainty and bestow her manifold blessings upon us.
Your Brother in Christ Jesus,
Fr. John
