Sunday Schedule Update From Fr. Patrick

My dear brothers and sisters, may the grace and peace of God Our Father be with you all.

It’s remarkable to think about how far we’ve come in the past year, and in particular since this past March, as we completed Lent and celebrated the Resurrection of Our Lord.

Then came the end of another sort of lent, as the COVID pandemic has subsided enough that we were able to lift mask requirements and seating restrictions in our parish church last month.

And then, something of a resurrection, as many of our parishioners and community members returned to worship at Mass. Thanks be to God!

In fact, so many of our parishioners have returned that we are now celebrating weekly an additional Sunday morning Mass at 7:30am, as of August 1, 2021.

Additionally, we have moved the weekly 8:15am Sunday Mass to 9am. I know this will affect some of our parishioners’ schedules, and I thank you for your understanding.

Each of our Lord’s Day Masses will be celebrated in the main upper church sanctuary. Previously we had celebrated a Mass in Steiner Hall, which became popular for families with young children.

To those families, I would like to say: never be ashamed or bashful about bringing your kids to church, even when they are noisy or boisterous. A church full of children — perhaps especially the lively ones — is a church full of life, full of hope for the future!

Last week we sent home a mailing to each of our registered parishioner households, including a version of this message as well as a new keepsake magnet with the new Mass times and other important information. If you haven't received one yet, please let us know so we can get you registered and/or update your information.

If you are not interested in becoming a registered parishioner at this time, please stop by and pick up a magnet anyway.

Finally, as you may already know, the bishops of Minnesota have reinstated the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation.

Even so, there remain reasons why a Catholic may still be dispensed from the Sunday obligation, including when he or she is ill, or when serving as caretaker for someone who cannot attend Mass. As such, we’ll continue to livestream every daily Mass, and all but the Sunday 5pm Mass.

And may God bless your week.

Fr. Patrick Hipwell, Pastor