Christmas Arrangements
So many of us know the story of our Savior’s birth very well. In our imagination, the nativity scene stands as a wonderful reminder of the way God’s word became flesh and helps us to recall memories of Christmas past and present. The 2020 Christmas Season will be different from any other. This year the worship space is much smaller with limited seating as we observe the restrictions and guidelines for in-person Masses outdoors.
I know that some are disappointed by the lack of availability to attend in-person Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at St. Mary. Even in the best of times, seating is limited on Christmas in our Church that can accompany more than 700 members of the assembly. The choir loft is usually full at 4pm mass and many are standing in the vestibule of the Church. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate as many as we have in the past. It’s safe to say that all of us in some form or another has been affected by Covid-19.
Still, all is not lost. As mentioned in my last iteration, each of us does well to remain resilient and to learn how to adapt to what seems to be like a constantly changing arrangement. First and foremost is the safety and wellbeing of all our members. This is why Bishop Oscar Cantú is in regular contact with county officials and has advocated for all parishes in the Diocese of San José. Even while he has objected to restrictions for in-person Masses indoors, for good reason he is more inclined to be cooperative by following county guidelines for the health and safety of all. Since the beginning of the pandemic, he promulgated a dispensation from Sunday and Holy Day obligation. Moreover, we have included livestream Masses for the Christmas schedule, so I encourage all those who cannot attend in-person to make your home a domestic Church, share the word of God as a family, and join us livestream at 6pm on Christmas Eve and 8am Christmas Day.
What is truly amazing is the faithfulness of those who attend and arrange for in-person Masses outdoors every day, even when it’s cold and rainy! Though it might look easy, each day volunteer ushers set out chairs for seating, put in place the altar, ambo, and sound system, check in those who sign up for mass, sanitize hands when people enter the courtyard and before the distribution of Communion. After mass, they sanitize all the chairs and put them away for the next celebration. Their willingness to serve remains a strong indicator of the good character that comprises the membership in this community. I truly grateful for all their help to make these extraordinary times easier to manage.
As President Lyndon Johnson once said, “doing the right thing isn’t the problem, it’s knowing what is right.” Presently, the best we can do for each other is to acknowledge what is the right response to our current situation and stand in solidarity with all members of the Church, many of whom will plan to celebrate this Christmas Season with family in the domestic Church of their homes. As ever, all of us are striving to make others and ourselves safe, even if it means having to make the kind of sacrifices this time requires. As we prepare to celebrate the word of God made flesh at Christmas, may we be filled with the wonder of God’s presence in our midst.
Fr. Rick
Mass Schedule
Weekday Mass in-person: Monday – Saturday 9:30am (courtyard)
Confession: Saturday 1:30pm in the Conference Room in Pastoral Center
Saturday Vigil Mass in-person: 3pm (courtyard)
Sunday Masses: 8am
Livestream (in the Church) and 9am & 3pm Mass (courtyard)
Christmas Schedule
In-person masses (courtyard) are currently full. Please continue to check back to see if there are seats available due to cancellations.
December 24: Masses in-person (courtyard) 12 noon, 2pm, 4pm, and
6pm livestream (in the Church)
December 25: Masses in-person (courtyard): 9am and 11am and
8am livestream (in the Church)
IMPORTANT: *sign-up for mass closes on previous day of scheduled mass at 7 am. If you are unable to make mass please cancel your reservation asap. If you are unable to cancel yourself, please leave a message on the Parish Office voicemail so we can make the seats available.
NOTE: Staff is on Christmas Vacation beginning Monday, Dec. 21st and returning (i.e., becoming available) January 4, 2021. At this time we assume the offices will still not be open for in-person meeting and assistance when we return unless there are changes made to the diocesan & county health protocols.