Mass Protocol and Schedule Changes and More

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Pentecost blessings to each and every one of you.


Transition to Full Capacity

Beginning Saturday, May 29 (Memorial Day weekend), we will begin our transition back to full capacity in the church. 

Our goal is to return to full capacity as soon as possible, while also ensuring a smooth transition, so that as many people as possible feel as comfortable as possible returning to in-person liturgies.
 
We will begin by seating every other row (instead of every third row) that weekend, with the goal to be seating every row (and without any social distance requirements) by July 1.

We will also open entry and exiting from any of the doors, and seating and Communion will no longer require ushers.

In the meantime, we ask you to continue to respect the local St. Paul order to wear a face covering nose and mouth indoors in the church and other parish buildings.


Mass Schedule Change

In order to accommodate anticipated increasing congregational sizes, we are happy to announce that we will be adding an additional Sunday morning Mass at 7:30am. This will also necessitate moving our current 8:15am Sunday Mass to 9am.

Revised Sunday Mass Schedule (as of 8/1):

• 5pm (Saturday vigil)
• 7:30am
• 9am
• 11am
• 5pm

 
New Faith Formation Director

I am happy to announce that we have hired a new Director of Faith Formation, Mahalia Marcelin, who will begin serving our parish next month. Please join me in welcoming her when she arrives, and in the meantime stay tuned for a fuller introduction.


David Hottinger Ordination
I continue to be grateful to God for the vocation of Deacon David Hottinger, P.E.S. (pictured), a beloved son of Nativity and member of Pro Ecclesia Sancta, the religious community serving our neighbors at the Church of Saint Mark and elsewhere. 

Deacon David will be ordained a priest of God Saturday, May 29 at the Cathedral of St. Paul, and all are invited to attend. Please join me in prayer this week for our brother and for his vocation to serve in imitation of Jesus Christ.


First Communion

Finally, please join me in congratulating our First Communicants from our Faith Formation program, who receive their first Eucharist this past Sunday afternoon, as well as those from our school who have reached this important, grace-filled milestone in their Christian initiation over the past couple of weeks. May the Holy Spirit continue to bless and fill them with faith, hope, and charity.


And may God bless your week.

Fr. Patrick Hipwell, pastor


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(A previous version was originally published in the May 23, 2021 parish bulletin)