Returning to Mass: Letter from Father Doug

“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” John 16:33

27 May 2020

 

Dear Parishioner,

Jesus’ words are most encouraging.  No matter what comes our way, our Lord reminds us very clearly that He is in control and he will give us the courage we need to face each day.
  
I am writing you about several matters of church life and practice as we begin the process of resuming to normalcy, albeit at a gradual pace.  It is a lengthy letter, but I want you to have a document to which you can refer during this unique time.
 

Sacramental Life

Sunday Masses
 

• Every Roman Catholic, at the direction of Archbishop Vigneron, is dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass until September 6, 2020.  While the dispensation removes the obligation to be physically present from attending Mass, we are still obliged to “keep Holy the Sabbath” by personal prayer and devotion (quiet reflection, the rosary, scripture reading, Mass on television).

• We are allowed to resume public Masses on May 30 and 31, 2020 at 25% capacity, which we will do at Saint Hubert with a revised Weekend Mass Schedule.  With proper social protocols, we can manage a maximum capacity of 125-150 people in church at each Mass.  Our new weekend Mass schedule, in order to allow proper sanitization between the Masses will be as follows:

Saturdays:        5:00 PM                               
Sundays:        8:00 AM & 11:30 AM

   This is a temporary schedule during pandemic     

• Those over 65 are still encouraged to remain home during this period, as well as those who have any compromised health issues.  Of course, this will allow more capacity in church for those not as susceptible to the contagion.

• Those who will be attending Masses are required by diocesan policy, as well as CDC guidelines, to wear a mask during the entirety of each public Mass. Each parishioner is expected to bring their own mask to church.

• For our Masses, music will be provided.  However, we must refrain from singing during this restrictive period because singing produces more droplets and thereby increases contagion possibilities. I have found that humming is a nice substitute (keeping my mouth closed, of course).

• Holy Communion will be distributed in a more deliberate way.  We will review that process at each of the Masses upon resumption.

• We have put in place procedures to be sure that the church facility is properly sanitized for the safety of our parishioners, following each Mass. Hence, the need to adjust our usual Mass schedule.  The Security Committee and the Ushers (and some volunteers) have organized and are willing to lead on sanitization matters.  We are most grateful for their leadership and help.

    Daily Mass & Individual Auricular Confessions

• On June 1, 2020, we will resume daily Masses at Saint Hubert, observing all the necessary distancing and sanitary practices.

• On June 6, 2020, we will resume regular Saturday Confessions at 4:00 PM.  Confessions may be in a different location.  Please follow posted instructions as to location of confessions when you enter church.  Be sure to wear your mask.

Oratory

• Because of the limited capacity, not knowing the numbers of and time when people might use the Oratory, and difficulty presented in properly sanitizing the Oratory between visitors, the Oratory will remain closed until further notice.

Baptisms

• Baptisms will resume in June and will be celebrated privately. Families will thereby be allowed to invite family members during our 25% capacity restrictions, which would be limited at a regular Sunday Mass celebration. Deacon Dennis Loffreda and Deacon Ryan Eggenberger will be making arrangements with each family to determine day, date, and time.

  Holy Communions

• The Family Faith Formation Office will be working on a schedule with families in order to celebrate First Holy Communions in our parish.  The 25% capacity will be used in determining the dates on which they will occur.

Confirmations

• The Archdiocese of Detroit is working on plans to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation.  The time, manner, and way in which these will occur are still being formed.  Indications at this point (still pending and subject to change) is that they will be delayed until next year.

Pastoral Life

    Parish Office

• With the governor’s continuing extensions of the Stay-at-Home orders, the parish offices will be closed until further notice. Please see our parish website (sthubertchurch.com) for updates on the opening of the parish office.  Once regular office hours resume, it will not be open to the public because of the confined space of the office and our inability to accommodate the six-feet distancing guidelines.  We will conduct all parish matters via telephonic communications only until restrictions are eased.  

    Communication improvements

• NEW PHONES:

Before the pandemic arrived, we were preparing installation of a new phone system at Saint Hubert.  That will proceed sometime in June and we believe this will provide increased and better communications with parishioners.

• NEW RECORDING OF MASSES & STREAMING ABILITY:

Before the pandemic arrived, as well, we were preparing to install streaming and recording capacity in church.  The materials have been ordered and should be installed – fingers crossed – by Pentecost.  This will allow us to broadcast Sunday Masses and other liturgical celebrations, thus including a wider audience than those permitted to be publicly present in church.

 

• NEW WEBSITE:    sthubertchurch.com launches May 27, 2020

Deacon Ryan and Lynn have been working hard on our new website, which will launch on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.  We envision the website to be a main hub of parish communication, especially during these ever-changing public health guidelines.  We will continue to utilize our parish bulletin and callout abilities, but we believe the website will allow more instant communication on all parish related matters.  One additional feature with the new sthubertchurch.com website: The ability to upload videos of church events, liturgical celebrations, and informational message directly to our website for ease of access by parishioners.

Parish Meetings and Activity Center Usage

• Because of Governor Whitmer’s newest executive order restricting gatherings of no more than 10 people until at least June 12, 2020, all parish meetings and gatherings in the Fr. Borowski Activity Center will be suspended until further notice. Once the order is lifted, the diocese is requiring us to follow a 25% capacity standard, which means we will be limited to a 65-person capacity in the Activity Center.  It should be noted that we have not measured the six-feet distancing guidelines yet and, depending on how the hall would be set-up for a particular event, we believe the 65-person number might, in fact, be lower.

 

As a parish staff, we hope this letter finds you well and strong and healthy.  We want to provide each parishioner with needed information and a handy reference tool.  While not exhaustive (though it feels that way when composing, I might add), we also understand we are entering a new reality and it causes inconveniences and disruptions of the way things are usually done.  

Along with the Parish Staff, I appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate together the unique realities we face.  Two things are for sure: First, circumstances are rapidly changing so refer regularly to our new website to be aware of updates. Two, even though we might feel troubled, concerned, or unsure, our Lord gives us the courage, prudence, optimism, and assurance we need because, as He himself says, “I have conquered the world.”

 

Looking forward to being together, I remain,

Yours in the Risen and Ascended Lord, Fr. Douglas Bignall

Father Douglas Bignall

Pastor.