St. Patrick Catholic Parish - Stephensville, WI

May 28, 2020

Catholic Comeback 

On the first Pentecost after Jesus’ Resurrection the disciples were gathered in an upper room. As they prayed, they were filed with the Holy Spirit; the love of God was poured into their hearts, which enabled them to begin to go out and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world. It was the birthday of the Church. It is fitting then, that on this Pentecost Sunday, May 31, we will take our next steps as local parishes toward regular Sunday Mass.

Beginning May 31, each Sunday we will offer 2 opportunities to attend Mass Through the Glass at St. Denis: 8:30 & 10:30 Sunday mornings. Also, each Mass will now include the distribution of Holy Communion.

Please note: If you are sick, have symptoms,  compromised immunity, or have been exposed to the Coronavirus, as an act of charity, please pray within your own home. Also remember that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is still temporarily dismissed, so anyone may still choose to pray from your own home.

Whether or not you have attended a Mass Through the Glass in the last few weeks, as our Church takes small but significant steps toward regular Sunday Mass, this is the best opportunity we can offer for your family to continue to grow in faith as we move into summer.

What to Expect:

• Mass is celebrated in the window above the main entrance of St. Denis and visible to the paring lot
• Attend in your car in the St. Denis parking lot: W7728 Oak St. Shiocton
• Listen on channel 89.5 FM
• 1 family approaches the communion station at a time
• Plexiglass barrier and alcohol to sanitize as needed, candles and linens for liturgical environment
• Parking lot ushers will guide families when to exit cars and where to walk to minimize risk

Resources for Mass Through the Glass
8:30 a.m. Mass Hymns on Sunday, May 31 
10:30 a.m. Mass Hymns on Sunday, May 31 
Text for responses at Mass
Prayer to St. Joseph

Another option is to watch Mass with Bishop Ricken on local TV channel 5 at 10:30 a.m., and following the conclusion of his Mass, come to St. Denis to receive communion. If you choose this, please aim to be at St. Denis around 11:10 a.m., enter the parking lot, and wait for the directions of the ushers on when to approach to receive communion.

Distributing communion this way may take more time, which I hope you will be able to take as time in your cars for quiet reflection. A reminder to all Catholics that we should be well prepared to receive communion by confessing and receiving forgiveness for any serious sins we have committed. Fr. Michael is regularly available at the times when St. Denis is open for private prayer. (See schedule above)

Please check our parish website regularly or contact our office for regular email updates for the next steps our parishes will be taking as we move toward regular Sunday Mass.

For everyone, please be patient as we all try something new. We are moving in the safest ways toward the most faithful experience of Sunday Mass that we can offer. We know that there are more steps to be taken, and are beginning to plan for them in the coming weeks.

At St. Patrick, while we have not been able to gather for Sunday Mass, we have had individual parishioners working on enhancing the beauty of the Church. We hope that when we are able to gather together again you will be able to appreciate a restored high altar and statues with touched up painting!

Some of you have asked how you can continue supporting St. Patrick financially. I know that this public health crisis is financially affecting families differently. I understand that hardships can make it necessary to put giving on pause. If you are able and willing to continue supporting your church, whatever you are able to  contribute is appreciated. Our parish website now includes a link below for online giving, or, if your bank offers online banking, set up St. Patrick in the bill payment section. Your offering helps us to continue to reach out and serve our community. Thank you especially to those who have already given.

I have not forgotten about you. Jesus has not forgotten about you. He says, “Peace be with you… Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jn 20:19, 22 You matter to Him and you matter to our parish. In spite of the fact that we can not be together, a parish is still a family. I hope that this Pentecost offers your family to experience receiving the Holy Spirit, an outpouring of God’s love and peace.

Fr. Michael Thiel