Dear Saint Gerard Majella Parish Family,

May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:18-19; Second Reading for the Solemnity of the Ascension)

Hope…riches…greatness… These are what we find in Our Lord Jesus Christ, which means these are what we find in the Holy Eucharist, His abiding Real Presence in our midst. Hope…riches…greatness… These, in other words, are what we find at Holy Mass.

And so, my friends, it gives me great joy that the new guidelines announced yesterday by public officials allow me to say without hesitation, come back to the Mass! If the events of the last year have taught us anything it is that God and God alone can give ultimate meaning and purpose to our lives. How much we need Him! We are merely pilgrims on earth, journeying to our heavenly home. To be sustained in that journey, we need to be nourished by the Word of God and by His very Body and Blood. And so, I say it again, come back to the Mass!

Please take note of the following practical notes:

• Parishioners are expected to follow the new CDC masking guidelines summarized here.
• Seating in one section of the church will remain limited to every other pew for those who still feel the need to practice social distancing. All other pews will now be available for seating. Please use your best judgment about where to sit.
• Signups for Sunday Mass will no longer be required.
• All Sunday Masses will continue to be broadcast on 88.5 FM for those who prefer to participate from their cars.
• The 9:00am Sunday Mass will continue to be live-streamed on the parish YouTube channel.
• Archbishop Rozanski leaves in place the dispensation for Sunday Mass at this time, but he will be re-evaluating the need for the dispensation in the coming weeks.

We look forward to seeing you back at Mass whenever you are comfortable. Let us continue to pray for one another!

Yours in Christ,

Father David Skillman
Pastor, St. Gerard Majella Parish