24 May 2020
Dear St. Rita Community,
I wanted to update you regarding changes that will soon take place at St. Rita in response to the Bishop’s decree of 18 May detailing the incremental opening of Catholic parishes throughout the Diocese of Dallas. We enter “Phase Two” of that plan May 26.
First, thank you for your cooperation in “Phase One.” Everything operated smoothly, and it really was encouraging to see so many of you care for each other in your kindness and behavior. As we enter these next few weeks, it’s critical we keep this charity in action alive and well! And so, truly, thank you! And, let’s keep it up!
Now before detailing implementation of “Phase Two,” please remember:
- We will continue to follow the mitigation strategies outlined by the CDC. Similar strategies are also found in Governor Abbot’s protocols and in the Bishop’s decree. In practical terms, at St. Rita, when you come on campus, what that looks like is this:
- Abide by ALL signage.
- Do not enter any other areas or sit in pews we have designated “no seating.”
- If you come to campus, wear a mask or face covering.
- Practice personal hygiene. That is, wash your hands regularly, make use of hand sanitizers, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoid touching surfaces.
- Practice physical distance of at least 6’ to 10’ between persons.
- If you have not been practicing social/physical distancing, then please stay home.
- If you are at “higher risk” for severe illness as defined by the CDC, then please stay home. The CDC details who are considered “higher risk” on their website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html). These are persons over the age of 65 or who live in a nursing home, as well as people with diabetes, liver or kidney or heart disease, those on dialysis, those with asthma, and those who are in any way immunocompromised.
- Regarding cleaning and disinfecting our campus, we continue to disinfect all our public spaces on a regular basis. Also, please know we disinfect the church after every service. You can help us in our efforts to keep our campus clean by following all directions. If you know of an issue our facilities team needs to address, please call the Parish Office, and we will address it as soon as possible.
- Maher Field remains CLOSED. Again, I know this is difficult, but Maher Field, our Sportcourt, and our playgrounds remain closed. There can be no gatherings, practices, or events of any kind.
Thus, keeping the measures noted above, beginning Tuesday, May 26, we will implement the Bishop’s plan in this way:
- The St. Rita Parish Office will remain closed until at least June 1. We are currently preparing our Parish offices to open fully, and we hope to have protocols in place soon. More information regarding the re-opening of our offices will follow soon.
- Public Daily Masses resume May 26 at 5:30pm. Beginning Tuesday we will begin celebrating one public Mass daily (Monday through Friday) at 5:30pm in the church. We will not have daily Mass on Saturdays at this time. This same Mass will also be live-streamed each day; therefore, if you are at “high risk,” we still strongly encourage you to stay home and continue to participate in our live-streamed Masses accessible via our YouTube Channel. As we resume public Masses, it is critical each of us charitably cooperate with each other as we adjust to a safe new normal. At St. Rita we’ve devised a somewhat detailed system, which we will attempt this week and adjust as necessary, regarding entering and exiting the building, seating, and the reception of Communion. Now, instead of trying to detail such a system in this letter, I simply ask that when you come to Mass, please be patient, alert, and responsive to guidance. That said, when you arrive, be prepared to:
- Follow all signage and obey the instructions of the ushers and clergy.
- Always wear a mask or face covering except when coming forward to receive Communion.
- Bring your own hand sanitizer.
- Sit only in designated areas where you see the St. Rita logo and not in pews that are closed.
- Follow all clergy instructions regarding the reception of Communion.
- Always keep at least six feet apart and not loiter anywhere in the building before or after Mass.
- At this time (except for Readers) we are not asking for lay volunteers, either Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Ushers, or Servers; rather our Parish Staff will serve us as needed as we begin this new process. As we get comfortable, we will then work with ministry leaders to plan and train for the eventual safe return of lay ministry at Mass. Also, if you are involved in any of these lay ministries, please feel no pressure whatsoever to volunteer if you are uncomfortable or “high risk.” We are grateful for your service, but I want us all to serve each other safely and comfortably. So, there is no harm in stepping back from any of these ministries if you feel you need to do so.
- We have not yet begun public Sunday Masses. Thus, on Sundays our Mass schedule will remain the same: 9:00am Mass in English followed by our bilingual Mass at 10:45am. We will not live stream Mass on Saturdays.
- Scheduled Confessions remain the same: Thursdays, 6:30pm to 8:30pm and Saturdays at 9:00am. We will continue to hear Confessions in the same manner as before the shelter-in-place order took effect; that is, we will not utilize the normal reconciliation rooms. Rather, please strictly follow the signs posted in the sanctuary. Also, when you come to Confessions, wear a mask the entire time you are in the sanctuary. And, if you feel even slightly ill, or if you fall into the “higher risk” category, please stay home. Instead, call us, and we will arrange to meet you privately.
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Please note the following changes: Adoration will be offered in the morning daily, Monday through Friday, in the Parish Commons from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Adoration will also be offered in the Commons on Sundays from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. However, Adoration on Tuesdays will only be open to persons 60 years of age and older. When you come for adoration, please enter by the south doors, and always wear a mask. And again, follow the directions of all posted signage. Also, please note there will be no Adoration on Memorial Day, May 25.
- Weddings, funerals, and baptisms can take place, keeping to the safety measures detailed in the Bishop’s plan. If you have any questions regarding such services, please call the Parish Office. Regarding other such sacramental celebrations, we are still exploring ways to celebrate First Communions or Confirmations. Thank you for your patience as we work all this out. Trust us, we want to celebrate these sacraments with you! We will be in touch with those for whom this is relevant as soon as we can.
Again, thank you for your cooperation and patience in all this! St. Rita Catholic Community has simply been wonderful. In coming days, please watch for more communication from us regarding other aspects of the life of our Parish. Because, actually, there is a lot of exciting stuff going on! Just because we remain separated, we can still stay connected! There are opportunities to connect, serve, and grow that you can take advantage of. For now, please just be alert to our website, emails, and social media. Also, please remember to continue to give to St. Rita and to other charitable organizations and faith communities. Your financial contributions, large and small and sacrificial, matter greatly and are sincerely appreciated. They help us further the mission, honoring God and those we’re called to serve. Thank you for your generosity!
And personally, please know you’re in my daily prayers! Thank you for all your kind words and support. It means the world to my family and I. Truly, thank you. And, Fr. Michal thanks you too! We are honored and blessed to serve you. Let’s keep praying for each other. And, of course, St. Rita, pray for us!
pax,
Fr. Joshua J. Whitfield
Pastoral Administrator