St. Patrick Church

Bonus Day 2 (July 09, 2020) of the coronavirus “impact”

“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” – Lk. 12:34 

Bonus blessings to you! Hmmm, is it that this is a blessing because you have not received a message for a long time, or a blessing because you actually are receiving one and you are excited to be getting one? Either way, I apologize for not having sent one as originally planned on a weekly basis. Time has gotten away from me and the added fact that I took some time off for R&R… here we are.

I want you to know that you continue to be in my daily prayers and that I enjoy seeing those of you who have been able and are coming to Mass! I miss seeing all of you!

Last weekend started phase D of the re-opening policy for the Diocese. I, however, was not here and did not want to implement it with a visiting priest. I was just appreciative that he (Fr. Ford) was here and did not want to overwhelm him with a new procedure that neither he nor any of you were used to.

What a blessing our weekend Masses continue to be for those who want and are able to attend. Please continue to use prudence in your decision to attend or not to attend. I want you to feel comfortable in what you feel is “healthiest” for you. I am still a little “torn” as to making comments on attendance because of the personal nature of the decision that has been placed on you. I still want you to consider a number of things when making the decision:

1. Do I feel safe/healthy in attending Mass?
2.  Am I considering the safety/health of others when attending Mass?  i.e. have I been exposed to someone who has the coronavirus; have I traveled outside the country within the past two weeks; do I have a fever; do I live in the same household with someone who is sick or has a fever? Etc.
3. Is my decision not to attend based on some health/safety reason or is it taking advantage of the dispensation that has been granted for now?
4. Is my not attending Mass a “protest vote” because I disagree with the restrictions that have been placed on the faithful?

• The elderly (65+) and those with compromised health conditions are still urged not to attend!  
• Saturday 5:30 pm vigil Mass will still be for the elderly and vulnerable (those with compromised health issues).  Please continue to wear your masks.
•  Sunday 8:00 am and 11:00 am Masses:
• Masks are optional; you are still encouraged to wear if you feel a need.
• Mass continues to be open to anyone who registers between Tuesday and Friday. (We need to be able to alert you if we find out later someone at a Mass you attended came down with the coronavirus). So, this means that you do not need to be a parishioner and that families may bring their children.  Please be aware of check-in and temperature-taking prior to entrance.
• There will be no congregational singing allowed.
• Communion will now be during Mass at the regular time.  Please note that during the Lamb of God the ushers will roll the Communion screens to their places in front of the pews and before the altar steps almost to the middle. After the Lamb of God, please kneel and Mass will continue as normal. When it is time for Communion the ushers will release you as was previously the case: back to front, offertory, remove masks (if you have one on), sanitize your hands and proceed to Communion screen. Please be mindful of sticking your hands under the screen and through the opening.  You can still say “Amen” when receiving.  I have noticed that is being omitted by a lot of people. Please return to your seats as opposed to leaving immediately. Once everyone has received, we will proceed with the prayer after Communion. 
• Entrance is still only from the Washington Street doors. Elevator access is still available.
• Dismissal will now be allowed through all three exits – the northwest door, southwest door, and Washington Street door. If you are sitting in the front pews and need to use the elevator, please wait until everyone has been dismissed by the ushers so as not to be “swimming upstream,” so to speak.
• Note:  Because of social distancing ushers will be releasing the pews, front to middle and back to middle.
• Social distancing is still expected, and ushers will seat you accordingly.
• Once Mass starts and greeting and check-in crew have left their stations (at the Washington Street entrance), no one will be admitted into the church.

Parish office hours will resume as normal. Group meetings will resume as necessary. We will try to resume all activities as we see fit in providing the safest environment possible.  If you are in charge of a group and you have questions about meeting and logistics, please feel free to call or email me.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the parish office at (765) 452-6021 or e-mail questions and someone will get back to you.  Thank you again for your patience and understanding.

On a happy note, you will see in this week’s bulletin a guest writer, Brian Farrell, one of our seminarians for the Diocese.  He will be speaking at all the Masses to help with the seminarian fund appeal. Our parish goal is $9,716. Thank you so very much for your support of our seminarians. St. Patrick has always been very generous in giving to this fund and it is a testament to your support of our future, current and past priests!

Peace, love and joy! Bonus blessings to all of you!

Registration for the July 18-19 Masses at St. Patrick Catholic Church is currently open and will close at 5:00 pm on Friday, July 17 (or when maximum seating capacity has been met, whichever is first). Mass is now open to parishioners and non-parishioners alike, and children are welcome.

• Mass Options
  • Saturday, July 18
    • 5:30 pm  (Designated ONLY for those 65 & older or vulnerable due to a health condition)
    • Face masks are required.
  • Sunday, July 19
    • 8:00 am
    • 11:00 am
    • Face masks are optional but recommended.
• Reservation Process
  • You must register for the ONE Mass that you want to attend for everyone in your household, ie - husband & wife, reserve 2 seats
  • Register at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/stpatrickchurchkokomo or, if you are unable to register – call the office at  (765) 452-6021

Below you can listen to Homilies from past liturgies-audio only. (or click here for multi-media page)