A Letter From Msgr. Albee
August 14, 2020
Dear Parishioners:
Happy Solemnity of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, our patron saint! I know that Saint Maximilian Kolbe continues to intercede for us as we continue our faith journey in our parish.
We have begun celebrating Sunday and weekday liturgies in our gathering space. We continue to celebrate a live streamed Mass on Sunday. The weekend liturgies are Saturday at 5:00 PM and Sunday at 9:00 AM. You must register on our parish website for the outdoor weekend Masses because of the limited amount of space we have due to the social distancing requirements. The livestream Mass continues on Sundays at 11:00 AM. Weekday Masses are celebrated on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:00 AM. No registration is necessary for weekday Masses.
This month we see the beginning of the school year with our young people going off to college and the beginning of the program year at our local schools. School will look very different this year with the primary focus being the safety of our children and young people. Our own preschool has that as its primary focus as it prepares to open for in person instructions. Preschools are exempt from the restrictions for in person instruction.
Until our local schools resume in person instruction, all of our Faith Formation programs for children and young people (Elementary, Middle School, Confirmation and Youth Ministry) will be conducted virtually on line. Our Faith Formation staff continues to navigate these uncharted waters of distance learning and I commend them for their outstanding commitment to assisting our parents in the partnership of passing on the Faith to our children and young people.
Here is a brief summary of the other ministries that continue to operate during the latest COVID-19 pandemic restrictions:
- Children’s’ Liturgy of the Word, conducted virtually on line.
- Ministry to our homeless brothers and sisters has switched from serving breakfast once a month to providing sack lunches.
- The Prayer Shawl ministry continues.
- Project Response sponsored a food drive in May and has arranged another food drive on Saturday, August 15th.
- Shine Catholic Singles continues to meet virtually.
- The St. Vincent de Paul Society continues to meet the needs of those in our community who need financial assistance. Your contributions to the Good Samaritan Fund help them to help others.
- Adult Faith Formation will resume virtually in the fall. This program is designed for adults who want to know more about our Catholic Faith. It also prepares adults who wish to be baptized as Catholics or those who wish to complete their Initiation in the Catholic Church by receiving First Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation.
- This past summer our children who were scheduled to receive First Holy Communion in May received their First Holy Communion.
- Also this summer our young people who were scheduled to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in April, received that Sacrament.
- Couples continue to be prepared to receive the Sacrament of Marriage.
- Infants continue to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
- The sick continue to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
- The Sacrament of Penance is celebrated each Saturday in the Gathering Space at 3:45 PM and by appointment.
- Our First Friday Eucharistic Holy Hour continues “al fresco” in the Gathering Space on the First Friday of the month from 8:30 AM until 9:30 AM.
- The Women’s Bible Study will resume on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 9:30 AM with Zoom meetings.
Information on all of these programs and many others can be found on our parish website www.stmaxchurch.org
All this activity, although limited by social distancing, reminds us that the faith life of the parish is continuing and that God is gently guiding us through this pandemic as rivers of His grace continue to flow to us in many but different ways.
May God continue to bless you and your families and be assured of my daily prayers for your intentions.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Reverend Monsignor Paul Albee
Pastor
NEWS FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE
FOOD DRIVE
As a reminder Project Response, in conjunction with Manna Conejo Food Bank, is sponsoring a FOOD COLLECTION tomorrow, Saturday August 15, 8:00-11:00 AM in the parking lot. Click here for more information: Project Response