Memo from Msgr. Raun- October 23rd, 2020

My dear family,

Peace and blessing from the Lord Jesus to you all.

I am very sad to have to write this memo. I am sure that some of you are already aware of the decree that the Archbishop issued yesterday, I will share the first three paragraphs with you:

"New Mexico is currently experiencing a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases as well as increasing numbers of deaths. Combined with the perennial influenza season which is fast approaching and persons being in closer quarters during the winter, this portends a "perfect storm" to form an extremely hazardous situation. Already the demographics of COVID-positive cases is migrating toward the younger ages, and there is even a case of a death of a 15-year-old who had no preexisting conditions. In addition, hospitals are also reaching maximum capacity for treating patients.

The Governor's office, advised by scientists and medical experts, is strongly advising persons to stay home and out of public areas as much as possible. Therefore, in accordance with our faith's concern for the protection of human life, we are issuing the following directives for Catholic churches and schools in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe:

Churches will cease regular Mass schedules after Sunday, October 25, until further notice. Churches may remain open for individual devotion as long as persons remain masked and socially distanced, with other now familiar protective measures in place (sanitizer, cleansing, etc.). Normally scheduled Masses should be streamed via the internet and/or recorded as best possible so that they may be accessed by people at home. The dispensation to NOT attend Sunday Mass continues until further notice."

So, what does this mean?

1. This Sunday, October 25, will be the last Sunday that we will have public Mass until further notice is received from the Archbishop. This Sunday we will celebrate all the Sunday Masses just as we have done for the past five months.
   
   
2. As of Monday, October 26, there are no more public Masses.
   
   
3. We will live-stream the 9 am Mass every day. You will be able to watch it through any device (computer, iPad, iPhone, etc.) hooked up to the Internet. You can use the parish app, go direct to the parish website (stanm.org),  the parish Facebook page or the parish YouTube page. These Masses will be stored on our parish website so that you can watch them whenever it is convenient for you.
   
   
4. We will open the church building every day at 9:30 am until 6:00 pm. We will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament during this time Monday through Friday.
   I would like to have Exposition on Saturday and Sunday also, but we need more committed adorers for during these hours. If you are willing to do so, please call the Parish Office.
   
   
5. Starting this Monday, we will hear Confessions Monday through Friday at 9:30 am and 5:00 pm. Saturday confessions will be at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm.
   
   
6.  In this decree, the Archbishop orders that funerals and marriages (and, although it is not mentioned, I presume baptisms) are to have no more than 10 persons present, and are to be celebrated without Mass.
   
   
7. Your priests are happy to make sick calls. Every precaution will be taken to protect the health of the patient and the priest. Just call the parish office.
   
   
8. As of next Monday, all catechism classes will take place on-line. We continue to prepare children for First Confession and Holy Communion.
   
   
9.  For the time being, the school continues to operate as it has the past two months. That could change if the spread of the virus gets worst.

I know how painful and upsetting this is for everyone. Me too. To be without the Mass and Holy Communion is a heavy sacrifice. In all of this we must trust in the wisdom of the Archbishop that God has appointed for us, and his desire to keep the flock committed to his care safe. Once again I beg you to listen to the words that Cardinal Robert Sarah, who is in charge of the Office of Divine Worship in Rome, addressed to us a few weeks ago:

" A sure principle in order not to err is obedience. Obedience to the norms of the Church, obedience to the Bishops. In times of difficulty (e.g. wars, pandemics), Bishops and Episcopal Conferences can give provisional norms which must be obeyed. Obedience safeguards the treasure entrusted to the Church. The measures given by the Bishops and Episcopal Conferences expire when the situation returns to normal."

As your leader-servants in the parish, we of the parish clergy and staff promise that we will do everything possible to keep you close to the Lord Jesus and to His family, the Church. Please pray for us that we will have the wisdom needed to guide the Church in these strange times. Our great mission as a parish remains unchanged: to bring people to Jesus, and to bring Jesus to people.

Pray, my dear family, pray. Prayer can move mountains. So the Lord has promised! While all prayer is good, may I suggest that we all commit to praying the Rosary every day - it is our Lady's special, powerful prayer. How beautiful if, in this time of no public worship, families and married couples pray the Rosary together.

And I once again thank you for your financial support of your parish. You have been wonderful. Remember, you can give your tithe either on-line (just go to stanm.org), or mail it to the parish office.

PLEASE SHARE ALL THIS INFORMATION WITH THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET!

Let us close with that powerful prayer for the protection of God's Family, the Church.........


St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. .


I send you my fatherly blessing, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen !


Msgr. Doug Raun
 
 

God Bless You