Covid 19 Update

Letter from Fr. David

This is a rapidly-changing. Please check back often for updates. 

UPDATE: Friday, August 14, 2020
Dispensation from Mass extended until Monday, November 23; Catholics obligated to continue keeping holy the Lord's Day
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UPDATE: Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Effective Tuesday, May 19th, Sunday and daily Masses may resume in parishes at the pastor's discretion. "However, despite the reopening, “the Mass you may attend in the weeks ahead will look and feel quite different from the Mass you remember from two months ago” due to the need to continue practicing social distancing and rigorous sanitation, Archbishop Vigneron cautioned the faithful."

UPDATE: Friday, April 3, 2020
The Archdiocese of Detroit has extended the closure of parish offices and cancellation of parish activities through the month of April. 

UPDATE: Thursday, March 19, 2020
We have a plan in place enabling staff members to work from home while being able to continue effective ministry to you. We may not be able to immediately answer your calls, and therefore, you are asked to please leave a voicemail. We will respond to them in a timely manner. The church will remain closed and all activities cancelled through Palm Sunday, April 5th until further notice. Thank you for your understanding during these challenging times. God is with us.

UPDATE: Friday, March 13, 2020
BREAKING: Effective Saturday, March 14th, all Sunday and weekday public Masses will be suspended in the Archdiocese of Detroit until Monday of Holy Week, April 6, 2020.

Covid 19 Links

Dispensation from Mass extended until Monday, November 23
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Please read Archbishop Vigneron’s Letter to the Faithful here.

Please read the AOD Emergency Response and Recommendations here.

Sunday and Weekday Live-stream Masses

Please read "Archbishop Vigneron: Jesus asks all during times of trial, ‘Do you believe?’"

Please read "Keeping Sunday Holy in a Time Without Mass: Six Tips for the Faithful"

Archbishop offers guideposts, ideas for ‘spiritual closeness’ during pandemic

Home altars, family rosaries, live-stream Masses part of local Catholics’ ‘new normal’

Please check these for regularly for updates:

1. Michigan.gov Coronavirus page
2. CDC Coronavirus page​

March 18, 2020

Dear people of God:

During this unprecedented time in our lives, I want to offer my love and support. This Lenten season of fasting has taken on a whole new dimension. I believe that through this difficult and uncertain time, we are all called to re-examine our lives in the light of our faith in God, who is always faithful to us. We take so much for granted. The life of the Church, living in the physical and imperfect world, is also affected.

As of March 13, Archbishop Vigneron has implemented a suspension of all public masses, devotions, and gatherings in groups. For the time being, this suspension lasts until Monday of Holy Week, April 6, 2020.  The current CDC guidelines call for no more than ten people gathered in one place together. Unfortunately, as of March 18, for the safety of all, after conversation with the parish staff, the church building will not be open to the public until further notice. This includes the cancellation of Stations of the Cross devotions, Eucharistic exposition, and even scheduled confession times. The church may be accessed on an individual request basis through one of the priests or staff.

Beginning Friday, March 20, the parish office will not have posted open hours until further notice. Staff will come in to work as necessary, and will also work from home. Please contact one of the priests or the parish office for pastoral needs, including confession and anointing, or even just for conversation or spiritual support.   If no one answers the phone, you may leave a message, which will be checked by the staff with some regularity. For urgent matters, use the parish office number and follow the prompt.  This line is monitored by the parish priests. Fr. Kevin also is happy to be reached at his e-mail, frkevinroelant@gmail.com .

Communication is important. We are continuing to publish the church bulletin, which is available on the parish website; a few physical copies are also being printed. We have included information that supports you and your family during this time. Check the parish website for updates.

In our own homes, we are challenged to sustain and deepen our faith using the resources that are available. Read and pray with the daily and Sunday mass readings. Check out formed.org. We may be physically separated, but the Church remains a family in faith and love.

Let us continue to walk this Lenten journey in faith and trust, knowing that Jesus has already offered the perfect sacrifice for us, His people. We priests pray for you in our private masses, and please pray for us as together we move through Lent to Easter 2020.
   
Sincerely,
Fr. David Burgard