Dear friends – Our situation seems to change by the hour doesn’t it? With the new restrictions put in place by the Governor, some of our practices here are changing as well. Here’s an update.
Staying in Touch
There are several ways that we can remain connected. Although the office is closed, our staff continues to work from home. Please reach out to us via e-mail or phone, and we will respond as we are able.
Outreach
I encourage you to check in regularly to our parish website (sacredheartowatonna.org) where we will post the daily Mass video, a pastor message, some at home prayer resources, and updates. This will be information central for us for a while.
In addition, we have established a YouTube channel and are posting Mass and other videos there. Just search for Sacred Heart Church Owatonna. I normally tape the daily Mass and then upload it. We usually have it on by 8:30 am.
We have a parish Facebook page. Like us and follow our various updates. Mass, Pastor message, and inspirational thoughts are updated regularly.
On Friday, I am planning to do a live stream of the Stations of the Cross. Join me at 5:15 pm on Friday.
Sunday Mass
We live stream Sunday Mass at 9 am on Sunday morning on our Facebook page. We are also exploring how to do that through YouTube since not all have Facebook. It is also recorded and posted to our YouTube channel. While we are limited in our bandwidth and are continually learning, our first attempt last week was fairly successful. Join us in prayer.
Confessions
I had scheduled a number of additional times for confessions given the cancellation of our communal service. With the governor’s recent guidance I am going to suspend those times for now. I am working on a way to provide the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a way that is safe. I will update our website and Facebook as decisions are made. If you like, you can call and schedule a private time to celebrate the sacrament. We will arrange a mutually comfortable way to do that.
If you are not able to get to Confession, remember the Sacrament of Reconciliation is necessary for those needing to confess mortal sin and salutary for those confessing venial sin. But if there is not an accessible opportunity for confession, they should be aware that a contrite heart and an act of perfect contrition (that is, expressing sorrow to God for sin out of love for God, coupled with a firm intention to not fall in sin again) is a good and right way to return to God this Lent.
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, spoke of this in his homily on March 20.
“I know that many of you go to confession before Easter… Many will say to me: ‘But Father…I can’t leave the house and I want to make my peace with the Lord. I want Him to embrace me… How can I do that unless I find a priest?’. Do what the catechism says. It’s very clear. If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. He’s your Father. Tell Him the truth: ‘Lord. I did this and this and this. Pardon me.’ Ask His forgiveness with all your heart with an act of contrition, and promise Him, ‘afterward I will go to confession.’ You will return to God’s grace immediately. You yourself can draw near, as the catechism teaches us, to God’s forgiveness, without having a priest at hand.”
Special Indulgence
Pope Francis has made available a special indulgence for this time.
The Decree grants a plenary indulgence to coronavirus patients quarantined by health authorities in hospitals and in their homes if, “with a spirit detached from any sin, they unite themselves spiritually through the media to the celebration of the Holy Mass, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of devotion.”
The plenary indulgence can also be obtained by the faithful if they at least “recite the creed, the Lord’s Prayer and a pious invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity towards their brothers and sisters, with the will to fulfill the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the Holy father’s intentions), as soon as possible.”
A plenary indulgence is also granted to healthcare workers, family members and all those who, “exposing themselves to the risk of contagion, care for the sick” under the same conditions stated above.
Also, the faithful who offer a “visit to the Blessed Sacrament, or Eucharistic adoration, or read the Holy Scriptures for half an hour, or recite the Holy Rosary, or the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross, or the recitation of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy” while praying for an end to the pandemic will be granted a plenary indulgence.
Holy Week and Triduum
Because the Bishop’s suspension of the public celebration of Mass lasts into May, we will not be able to gather for Holy Week and Easter. This includes the Chrism Mass, which the diocese will now have to host elsewhere. We will live stream the following events with the following schedule:
Palm Sunday: Sunday, April 5 at 9 am
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper: Thursday, April 9 at 7 pm
Good Friday Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion: Friday, April 10 at 3 pm
Easter Vigil: Saturday, April 11 at 8 pm
Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 12 at 9 am
The Vatican has issued instructions for a simplified celebration of these beautiful liturgies and has directed that they can only be broadcast live. Therefore, we will not be recording the liturgies on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
Stewardship
In this time of uncertainty as your pastor, I have the responsibility to see that our stewardship of time, talent, and treasure is lived out even in the midst of difficult situations. I encourage those who are able to continue their regular financial support of our parish community. We recognize and hold in prayer all of those who have lost jobs or been laid off during this time. But many of us still have the capability of maintaining our support of the mission of our parish. We are doing things in new ways but many of our expenses have not diminished. I assure you we have frozen all non-essential spending in an effort to stabilize things. Still, there are salaries, building upkeep, school subsidy, and the like that continue to require your financial support.
With no public Masses last week and until May 15, it’s essential that the stewardship of treasure continue as we assist people in need and meet our budgets. With no Sunday collections, I’m asking each household to do one of three things:
1) Sign up for ACH (Automated Clearing House) withdrawal by calling or emailing Jordan Gutierrez at 507-451-1588 or at office@sacredheartowatonna.org. This allows the parish to draw a specific amount (of your choosing) from your bank account. You will need a voided check or your account and routing number to get this started.
2) Give online by clicking here- www.sacredheartowatonna.org and click on the Donate button. Giving online can be a one-time gift or a recurring gift. It’s easy to set up and it’s secure through PayPal, the company we use to assist us.
3) If you don’t have acess to paypal, you can also set up credit card payments (one-time or recurring) by calling Sandy Strand at 507-451-1588 extension 205. Leave a message and she’ll contact you for information.
4) Send in or bring by envelopes. We are still receiving mail, but if you’re not comfortable mailing it, we have a secure lockbox in the narthex near the water fountain where you can safely drop off any envelopes.
I am deeply grateful for your continued prayers. Let’s keep supporting the parish so we can continue the great work of evangelization in a difficult time for many.
I have been heartened by the many words of support and encouragement from so many quarters. I have found inspiration in the shared wisdom of my brother priests around the country and world. There’s even a Facebook group for “Quarantined Priests.” Thank you for your continued prayers and your continued support. Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay home.
God bless,
Fr. John Sauer
Pastor
Sacred Heart Church, Owatonna
