St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Church

5/28/20

Greetings. During the week of March 15^th, Bishop Boyea had parishes stop celebrating public masses because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Here we are 10 weeks later and things are slowly starting to reopen. The coronavirus pandemic is unfortunately still very present and active. 100’s of people is still being diagnosed with it every day in the State of Michigan. I personally have 7 friends whose family members have died from this virus. One of these, is a friend whose sister was a Sister of Charity. Priests have also been diagnosed with this virus. They got the virus by doing their ministry, and one of these is a priest who is in his 30’’s from our Diocese of Lansing. My heart is heavy that some priests here in the U.S. and throughout the world has died from this virus.

All of us have been looking forward to resuming coming to Mass and receiving the Holy Eucharist. Bishop Boyea has decided that parishes can start celebrating public masses. There are restrictions that a parish needs to follow as to minimize the chance of catching or spreading the virus.

Bishop Boyea wrote and sent the following to the priests of our diocese: “All prudence is to be observed in the parish’s circumstances to safeguard the health of every participate, including the pastor’s own health. Clergy who are among the vulnerable population should consider whether it is reasonable for them to celebrate Masses publicly during these times. Should a pastor determine that his parish not open for public liturgies for any reason (including of course his own age or underlying health conditions), that is always his prerogative. His parishioners should be patient and understanding of such a decision.”

On January 25^th, I announced that I will be leaving active ministry on June 24^th for health reasons. Unfortunately, as you are aware, I have numerous health issues. Three weeks ago, I had a health problem that required me to go to the emergency room. Recently, I had a conversation with my primary physician concerning my overall health and the coronavirus pandemic. My doctor said that I am a very high-risk person of getting the coronavirus. He has advised me that I should not be around people and that I should not celebrate public masses. I fully understand this yet I am still very saddened by it. I have talked with Bishop Boyea and he 100% agrees with my physician.

As a result, I have made the decision that we will not be resuming public masses at St. Joseph Shrine until after I leave active ministry on June 24^th. I pray that you understand why I had to make this decision. It is best for mine and your health during this coronavirus pandemic. Weekend masses will resume on June 27^th and 28^th as Fr. Dave Hudgins comes here as your pastor. As I announced a couple of months ago, when Fr. Dave gets here there will be no weekday masses, since during the week, he will be working at the Diocese in Lansing. I have been talking with him on the phone on a regular basis to make this transition very smooth.

I have been looking for alternatives for you to attend Sunday Masses in our own area during these next few weekends. On Sundays at 10:30 am, an outdoor public mass will be celebrated in a field at Camp DeSales, weather permitting. I called and talked to Fr. Ken asking him if you could come there for this mass and he has gladly welcomed our parishioners. You can go online to: http://www.desales.org/. Click on: Attention St. Rita and St. Joseph Parishioners and friends.

Let us continue as brothers and sisters to pray for all those who have the coronavirus and for those who are dying as a result of it. May we help promote the common good for others by wearing face masks, social distancing, and washing our hands.

In God’s Peace,

Fr. Bob

Altar Society Scholarships are available to St. Joseph Shrine students. For more information go to the Altar Society tab under Parish Ministries.

Altar Society June 2020 Rummage Sale is canceled.

(Please share this information with those parishioners that do not have internet access.)

Sign up to receive the Friday Memo from Bishop Boyea here: https://dioceseoflansing.flocknote.com/FridayMemo

Here is a link of Masses and Online Resources from the Diocese of Lansing: https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/masses-and-online-spiritual-resources.