Hello everyone. I am happy to announce that we will resume our regular Mass schedule this weekend (6/13/20) with all three parishes inside our parish churches.
First, just as a reminder, if you are sick please do not come to Mass.
Second, if you are a high risk person for covid-19 due to age, frailty or serious chronic health issues you might want to consider staying home from Mass until you feel comfortable returning to Mass, you still have dispensation to stay home and we still have resources for worship at home available under the Worship At Home link under the News and Events tab.
As we resume please keep the following points in mind:
1) No one is obligated to come to Mass until further notice.
2) Try to keep social distancing as best you can.
3) Some of the pews will be "closed" to help keep social distancing
4) Please wear a mask except for communion time.
5) Please drop envelopes/offerings in the basket as you enter/leave the church.
6) Please use hand sanitizer when you enter and leave the church.
7) Do not gather and converse before or after Mass inside the church.
8) The bathrooms will be open for use.
9) If you would like to use a missalette for Mass, pick one up out of the box by the entrance of the church, then take it home with you and bring the same one back with you for each Mass.
- Fr. David
Do you have a fever or flu-like symptoms?
Have you recently traveled out of the country?
Have you been exposed to someone with COVID-19?
Those who show signs of risk should not enter the church and should stay at home.
The faithful continue to be dispensed from attending Sunday Mass.
Those who are elderly or vulnerable are encouraged to remain at home.
Please wear your mask or face covering and maintain social distancing when at church. (Family members in the same household do not need to maintain distance from each other.)
As a precaution, collection baskets will not be passed during the offertory. Your contributions can be dropped off in the basket or continue to be mailed or submitted online. There will be no need of money counters at this time. Fr. David will take the collection.
There will be no gift procession during the offertory.
There will be no sign of peace before the Lamb of God.
The Precious Blood will not be distributed.
Please use hand sanitizer immediately prior to receiving communion as an added precaution.
The faithful are strongly encouraged to receive Communion in the hand and to carefully avoid any physical contact with the minister's hand when receiving. (If incidental hand contact occurs, the minister is to use sanitizer before proceeding.)
Those who do not wish to come forward at Communion are encouraged to remain in place and to make an Act of Spiritual Communion.
For the present, parishes should avoid using choirs in order to keep proper distancing. Rather, it is recommended that a musician be assisted by a single cantor.
We are pleased for the return of our weekly Holy Hour of Adoration led by Father David.
Our parishes began this practice during our celebration of the Year of the Eucharist and it was so impactful that we kept it.
Every Sunday from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm join Father David in a spirit led Holy Hour of Adoration at Saint Patrick's Church in Havana.
On November 1st, 2019, Solemnity of All Saints, our three parishes began a Focus on the Saints. Because Saints are typical humans who have made it to Heaven they are an excellent friend and role model in strengthening our faith. Father David had parishioners draw a name of Saint to learn about and serve as our patron for this year long focus. There will be assignments for you to learn more about your Saint as well as quotes of encouragement in the Bulletin. We will also have a monthly movie related to a Saint after the Sunday Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration.
We are a community of three Parishes serving East Fulton and all of Mason Counties under the Pastoral Care of Father David Whiteside. While the trip from St. Mary's to Immaculate Conception is 30 miles we act as one Catholic Community praying for, working with, serving and supporting each other. Like God is Three in One, we like to think our three parishes make one wonderful community.
We have a wonderful church family who is very active both within our parishes and the surrounding community. Rural West Central Illinois is a needy area and we look to do our best to help our fellow man. We have a variety of events and service opportunities throughout the year.