St. Thomas the Apostle

1. Thank you for your presence at mass - both in person and through our livestream channel. Please note: Bishop Peter’s "Dispensation from the Sunday Obligation for those 60 and older, for those who are immunocompromised and for those whose anxiety about their health makes them apprehensive about attending Mass" remains in place. 
 
2. This weekend is Priesthood Sunday, please take a complementary Good Shepherd holy card at all of the exits and pray for our parish priest, Fr. John, and for all who serve Christ and His Church through the priestly vocation. May God bless our spiritual fathers!
 
3. We encourage all of you to check the bulletin this weekend as it houses important inserts of upcoming events and sacramental changes to our St. Thomas schedule, effective this week.

4. Also, this weekend you are asked to fill out a Parish Council ballot (located in the pews) and leave your vote in the designated baskets at the exits of the church. Thank you all for your participation in electing our 2 new parish council members!
 
5. For 25 years, Holy Family Catholic School has welcomed all families seeking a high quality, faith-based education regardless of their economic means.  The 2020 SUCCESS Annual Campaign has begun and Principal Bridgit Arkoosh is here to tell us more about how we can support our local Catholic school. "Please make a gift by visiting http://www.hfcs-cda.org/donate today."

6. Effective this week, our sacramental schedule will undergo several changes in order to meet the needs of our growing parish and new initiatives like Purposefully Catholic.

• Sunday morning confessions will be cancelled in light of the many other hours offered throughout the week.
• Tuesday’s silent Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be moved an hour ahead, to 6pm, and
• Tuesday’s confessions will be moved to Wednesdays, during Fire & Light - our new offering of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with music from 6pm-7pm.
• Note our website and monthly calendar insert for details.

Current Practices for Public Masses during times of COVID-19 Precautions

In alignment with Governor Little's Phase 4 CDC protocols:

• The faithful should not shake hands or hug at the Sign of Peace, nor hold hands during the Lord's Prayer;
• There will be no distribution of the Precious Blood at this time;
• Only clergy will distribute communion, in order to reduce the number of people who may come into contact with the faithful;
• Complimentary masks are available at all entrances as of July 23rd.
• Stay home if you feel sick.
• All hymnals, missals & prayer cards in the pews will remain removed (so as not to spread germs).
• After mass socials, gatherings and receptions are SUSPENDED until further notice from the bishop.
• A distance of 6 feet must be maintained between individuals:
  • Families and couples count as an individual;
  • Ushers will assist in seating and maintaining the six-feet rule.
  • Overflow seating is available in the Mission House and Connector.