Sacred Heart Catholic Church

As a loving and caring Catholic Community who trusts in the Holy Spirit, we are messengers of the Gospel of Christ who spread the Reign of God.

Animated by the sacramental life of the Church and united in our commitment to lifelong conversion of heart, we welcome the diversity and dignity of each person – for all people belong to Christ.

In Gratitude for all that God has given us, we strive to minister with all our resources to those in need within our rural community and beyond our boundaries.

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.
 

SAFETY PRACTICES and PROTOCOLS FOR OUR PARISHES
 
WELCOME BACK BUT WITH GREAT CARE!

My Dear Parish Family,

With Praise on our lips and Thanksgiving in our hearts, we are very happy to inform you that Our Bishop has announced that all the Parishes are to return to Public Masses with the distribution of Communion. The coming few weekend Masses will be different from our “normal” weekend Masses, as we are making sure to follow the guidelines from the State and the Diocese to ensure the safety of everyone who attends the Masses. Please follow these safety steps:
 

• Sacred Heart and St. Mary of the Assumption has resumed regular scheduled Masses and confessions.

• In all charity to others, we ask that, if you are not well or are sick, please stay home and continue to join us virtually through the live- streaming of the Mass. Your Sunday obligation remains suspended throughout this pandemic.

• A Mask or face covering MUST be worn by all in attendance.  If you are not comfortable being inside the church for Mass, if you are late to Mass, or if we run out of room in the main church (estimated capacity for Sacred Heart - 65), there will be an overflow space in Mosler hall that you can use or you can remain in your vehicles and participate in the live stream Mass. Communion will be distributed in the hall during Mass and if you drive up (May 23/24 is the last weekend for drive up). Ushers will escort the Extra-ordinary Eucharistic Ministers and give proper instructions or signals for communion in the hall or by drive up. So please listen and follow them.

• Our pews will be properly sanitized before and after each Mass. Hand sanitizers will be available at each entrance so please use them when you enter and exit the church. Each pew will be marked and spaced for social distancing. Family members can sit together, but individuals MUST maintain the 6-foot social distance rule. Each person is required to wear a face covering or mask when entering the church and throughout the Mass.

• Please be mindful that NO holding hands at the “Our Father” prayer and we encourage folded hands in reverence. The Sign of Peace is suspended.

• There will be no usual lining up at communion time. Ushers will slowly direct each pew to receive the Eucharist so please be patient and follow proper instructions.

• Out of Charity for your neighbor, we will be only receiving the Eucharistic in your hand.

• There will be no passing of the basket at the offertory. Instead, there will be a box basket at the back of the church for your stewardship offerings.

• Please do not rush out of church at the end of Mass and create unnecessary congestion. Ushers will slowly dismiss the congregation – row by row, from the back up to the front – when Mass is finished. So, please be patient and follow their instructions.

• We ask for your understanding as we put into practice these proper protocols for the safety of all. Please be mindful to follow instruction as to slowly enter and exit the church properly as to keep proper social distance in between each individual or family unit.

• We suggest that Mosler hall be reserved for the elderly and the over flow, as we do our best to keep all protected.

• Confessions will take place in the church in the old chapel with a screen. Individuals MUST maintain the 6-foot social distance rule. Your mask must be worn when you go to confession.  Confessions will be daily after the 12:10 noon Masses, Wednesday’s from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. ; Saturday’s at 5:00 – 5:45 p.m. or by appointment.

• We have removed all the hymnals from the pews in the Church and will use the big screen for hymns, prayers, and readings. 

• All of the Holy Water fonts will remain empty.

• PLEASE REMEMBER: When we receive the Eucharist under the species of bread alone, we are in fact receiving the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus, as the Church has always taught.

• The Mass will continue to be live streamed on our Sacred Heart’s page for those who are unwell, sick, or have a compromised immune system. Both Saturday’s 6:00 p.m. Vigil Mass and Sunday’s 10:00 a.m. Mass will be live-streamed.  Saturday's Mass will also be broadcast live on KSEY at 6 p.m.

We will keep you informed of any other changes or adaptations that will be made.

Thank you for your cooperation. Please continue to pray for the health and protection of each of us from the spread of this virus.

 Fr. Bose
Deacon Jim

I think we can all agree that our Holy Father has been the model of strength and compassion during this pandemic.  He has offered us breathtaking liturgies, heartfelt homilies, memorable social media posts, and multiple resources for prayer.  He has offered courageous leadership to his Church and to the world.
 
Now the Vatican (specifically the Libreria Editrice Vaticana and the Dicastery for Communication) is offering a 192-page digital book for a FREE download -- Strong in the face of Tribulation: The Church in Communion – A Support in Time of Trial.  It is a collection of the Pope’s homilies, prayers, and messages.  You may access the book at this link:
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/content/dam/lev/forti-nella-tribolazione/pdf/eng/strong-in-tribulation.-20042020.pdf