Sanctuary of New Church
Main Altar with new candlesticks
St Patrick stained glass window at night
Some of the crew that put the pews in place.
St Patrick's New Spiritual Home
St Patrick's New Spiritual Home
Greetings in Christ!
Cancelled. That seems to be the word we have heard the most this past week (ok, maybe “Coronovirus” or “Covid-19” is the most. . . .). While this can be an unsettling time as all of our normal work, school, home, spiritual and social routines are being upended and recast, what is CONSTANT is God’s love for us and His abiding presence in our midst! God has not “Cancelled” his infinite love for us or retreated away from us in any way. He is present! In a profound sense, the best Lent is not a Lent where WE choose our sacrifice, but where our sacrifice is thrust upon us. In that regard, this Lent has the potential to be awesome! We here at St. Patrick’s are adjusting and seeking to be creative in how we continue to live as a family of God. Some of these changes are going to take some days to get implemented, others will be starting up. St. Patrick Parish and School are not closing, we are changing the routines of our operation and continuing to be a light to the nations and a home of faith and encounter with God. This has not changed, nor will it ever change. In that light, I would like to alert you to some of our new initiatives to continue to be that home of faith.
Starting THIS Sunday, March 22nd, we will be Live Streaming a Sunday mass celebrated by either Fr. Beardslee or myself at 9:30 AM on Sunday morning for the duration of this pandemic. I would like to thank Fr. Beardslee for all of his work in getting this set up. The steps to access this live stream are very simple.
Log in to your Facebook account.
Search for “Fr-Samuel Beardslee” (note the dash, not a period). You do NOT need to be Facebook “friends” with him, it is open to ALL people.
Click on the tile that shows the church with “Live” in the upper corner
The sacrament of Confession will still be offered as scheduled on Saturdays from 4 – 5 pm and 7:30 – 8 pm at the church. Please follow common sense social distancing when praying in the church. We ask that you prepare for the sacrament while praying in the church, and then a priest will be available in the social hall, in the middle of the room. Our local health department has recommended that we have confessions in a wide open room and not in a small enclosed space. Please follow prudent social distancing if there is a line waiting to go into the social hall for confession. Please feel free to line up along the south side of the social hall, with appropriate gaps.
Beginning Monday, while public masses are not allowed, I would be happy to come to your home for a private mass for you and your family. If you are interested in having me come for a private mass, please call the rectory and let Kathy know. On Monday morning we will randomly draw from whoever has called in to set up a schedule week by week. Obviously I will not be able to get to everyone, hence the random drawing.
We are working on a solution to try and make communion available to people. We are trying to be creative while still abiding by the health department recommendations. I am hopeful that we will have a safe and acceptable method by next Sunday.
Baptisms are still able to be held, within the guidelines of no more than 10 people at the ceremony. Please feel free to call the rectory if you have a new child that is in need of baptism.
I know that this can be a financially stressful time for our families, there are many community organizations and church organizations that are stepping forward to help. I will be trying to put together a comprehensive list and posting it on our website.
Along with so many others, St. Patrick parish is also experiencing a financial stress during this time. I would humbly ask that you consider continuing your weekly offering. You can either drop it off at the rectory mailbox (it is a locked mailbox with a mail drop slot), or you may consider going to our website and clicking on the “E-Giving” tab and setting up an electronic donation. Our website is: https://www.stpatricklincoln.com/
The church will remain open during our regular hours (6 am – 8 pm) for private prayer and adoration.
Know that you can contact the rectory if you would like to speak with a priest or have some other pastoral need. 402-466-2752.
Continue to stay close to the Lord as He is close to you!
In Christ,
Fr. Troy Schweiger
Pastor
