Hello dear friends,
Greetings from Saint Roberts Bellarmine Catholic Church.
Hope you and your dear ones are doing fine. I am thinking of you and praying for you. I thank you for the support and love you gave me during this difficult time.
As you might have already heard, we are permitted to reopen the church in a limited way (maximum of 50 people). We will have first public holy Mass on June 6th Saturday at 5 (PM). The second Mass will be Sunday at 9 AM (English), the third Mass will be at 12 PM (English) and the fourth Mass will be in Spanish at 6 PM on Sunday. Please note that the Spanish Mass is moved to Sunday at 6 PM (for a limited time). Daily public Masses will be resumed on 9th of June at 12 PM. The Sunday 9 AM Mass will be live streamed for some time.
For a limited time, we will be celebrating Holy Mass by standing (without chairs to sit) because of the impracticability of disinfecting our chairs. The Mass will be over within 35-40 minutes. I apologize for this expected hardship and request your understanding. Hope we can return soon to our chairs.
When you come into the church and during and the Mass please wear a facemask until we leave the church premises. Needless to say that it is needed to avoid all physical contact with others unless you are living under the safe roof. Please follow instructions of the ushers until you leave the church. Since we are obliged to keep the names of the attendees of each Mass, please make sure that the usher checks you in. Please use hand sanitizers and masks. Please stand in the place allotted to you or the family. The restrooms will not be available unless there is medical emergency. I apologize for the inconvenience.
The Holy Eucharist will be given in hands and the priest will come to you with the Holy Eucharist. You are asked to stand in your position.
I have not finalized the dates of first confession, first Holy Communion and the sacrament of confirmation. If you can help us with ushering and disinfecting the church please let me know your willingness. It will be a great help and comfort to me.
I request you to read the letter from the bishop enclosed with this letter. If you desire any further clarification, please call me (775 302 3636) or mail me (frjustin@strobertbellarmine.org).
I want you to know that our Bishop extends exception from attending Sunday Holy eucharist until the situation is fully under control. I am very excited to see you again in the church.
With love and prayers.
Fr. Justin Lazar