To My Parish Family,
It is with a heavy heart that I am writing you to again update you with some pretty substantial changes that have been mandated across the Archdiocese. It seems like things change on a daily basis at this point, and we want to do everything we can at St. Faustina to remain flexible by adapting to these changes. At the same time, we do not want to neglect our parish mission and are intent on having our parish family continue to live, experience and share the love and mercy of God when possible.
This week, Cardinal DiNardo gave us an update on what parish life looks like in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in his letter addressed to the local church found here. The recommendations and precautions recommended by the Archdiocese included the suspension of all public celebrations of Mass for the immediate future, and the curtailing of additional sacraments and gatherings for the time being. We have quickly responded to these mandates, along with the additional growing concerns presented by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and want to let you know of the changes we have made as a result of this letter.
Sacraments
- All masses (daily and weekend) are now being streamed on our YouTube channel, which we encourage everyone to subscribe to for future updates.
- We are limiting our weekend Mass schedule to just 11am (English) and 1pm (Spanish) – which are closed and will only be streamed.
- In light of the health crisis, we want to encourage everyone to please consider using our online giving platform for their weekly gifts. To access, please visit http://faithdirect.net and use our church code TX676. If you are unable to access FaithDirect, we do encourage you to continue to send your weekly offering in to the parish during our office hours.
- The Sacrament of Reconciliation will continue at regularly scheduled times. However, we have suspended face-to-face Reconciliation in the Confessionals and have setup screens on opposite sides of the church. We ask that penitents observe proper social distancing while waiting for the Sacrament.
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is limited to the Divine Mercy Holy Hour from 3-4pm, which will be live-streamed. Those who wish to come in and adore the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle are free to do so during our new office hours.
Office and Staff
- The Church will be open during the week from 9:30am-5:00pm on Monday through Thursday, and 9:30am-12:00pm on Fridays for those who wish to come and pray.
- Instead of entering the Church through the office, we encourage you to enter through the front doors (adjacent to the Church) after 9:30am, as they will be open and unlocked.
- In the interest of the clergy and staff the parish office will be closed - with those on staff being available by appointment only.
- The staff is currently staggering their schedule, and working from home the majority of the time. Please call or email us if you need to reach us.
Ministry Gatherings and Formation Events
- All on-campus gatherings and classes remain closed until further notice.
- We are working on plans to continue to engage our families and ministries during this time, and highly encourage you to signup for Flocknote if you have not already done so for all of the latest updates and changes: https://StFaustinaCCTX.flocknote.com/.
Emergency Response Team
- As a part of our parish family’s emergency preparedness, St. Faustina Catholic Church is offering an opportunity to our elderly, disabled and infirmed parishioners to sign up for our calling tree. Once registered to the calling tree, you will receive a phone call from a volunteer representative inquiring about your well-being and needs.
- Utilizing volunteers from the amazing St. Faustina Parish family, we will make every effort to address your needs.
- You can register for the calling tree by clicking here.
- If you can help us respond to requests from people on the calling tree, please click here.
- If you are not comfortable filling out an online form, please call our office at 346-773-3500 during normal office hours (Monday - Thursday: 9:30a.m. - 5 p.m. or Friday: 9:30a.m. - 12 noon).
- Note that the calling tree is limited to St. Faustina Catholic Church parishioners only. Any personal information that is provided on the calling tree will not be shared with anyone outside of St. Faustina.
Please Stay Connected
- Website - https://saintfaustinachurch.com/ (Updates, Information, Emergency Response Team)
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/saintfaustinachurch (Updates, Facebook Live)
- YouTube - http://youtube.com/c/saintfaustinacatholicchurch (Masses, Holy Hour)
- Flocknote - https://StFaustinaCCTX.flocknote.com/ (Parish-wide Updates, Ministries Connect)
I want to thank you for the level of understanding our parish family has exhibited during this time, and for the incredible wave of support that has been offered to help those in need. Please keep praying for one another during this crisis, and know that we place all of our trust in the Lord! God bless you!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Dat
Pastor
Reflection on Sunday's Readings
This Gospel reminds us that the way we see best, is through the eyes of faith, for then we see the world the way God sees it. But first we have to recognize that without Jesus, we are truly blind. Enjoy this reflection through our free account with Formed.org.
1st Reading - 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a
2nd Reading - Ephesians 5:8-14
Gospel - John 9:1-41
