04/01/20 

On behalf of Bishop Braxton, I write to you in a moment unlike any that we have experienced. Our world, our Church, our parishes, our ministry programs are facing grave challenges. Fearful for our own health and that of our families and fellow ministers, we are also unable to gather with our faith communities to celebrate the central season of the liturgical year. 

We are aware of the toll this has taken upon our Church and will continue to take on our parish communities and upon those of us called to minister to others.

It was the hope of Bishop Braxton, that he would be able to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in April with the Confirmandi who have been preparing for the reception of this sacrament. However, because of the announcement made yesterday by the Governor that the executive order to shelter-in-place has been extended to April 30, the Confirmations scheduled for April must be postponed. New dates cannot be offered yet pending receipt of any additional information from the Governor’s office the end of April. We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience this will cause, but the circumstances are out of our control.

I would like to suggest that the letters from the Confirmandi still be submitted to the Office of Worship. Also, even though the music will change in your program, if you would like to submit it for review, we would be happy to do that and offer comments. Then, when it is possible to reschedule, everything will be ready to go.

Video message from Bishop Braxton:

Letter update from Father Osang 3/20/20

Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church's Facebook page will have daily live streaming of Mass at 9 am and two live streaming of Masses on Saturdays at 5 pm and Sundays at 10 am. Additional resources can be found below. 

Click HERE for A Liturgy of the World for Home on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. 

Click HERE for an explanation on "How to Pray the Rosary." This may be a new form of prayer for some individuals or an opportunity for parents to teach their children about the beauty and power of praying the rosary.

Following is a reminder on where to find a televised Mass (click on the title to view the website):

Daily Mass with Word on Fire from Bishop Robert Barron’s Chapel

Daily Mass from Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN

Sunday Masses for the homebound telecast from the Archdiocese of St. Louis (includes listings for both antenna and cable television, radio and online)

Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville - English and Spanish Masses available beginning March 22, 2020

EWTN: https://www.ewtn.com/tv/channel-finder (English)

            https://www.ewtn.com/espanol/magtv.asp (Spanish)

Catholic TV: https://www.catholictv.org

3/18/20

Bishop Braxton has decided for the good of the faithful to suspend all Masses and liturgical services effective immediately. Please click HERE to read the letter from the Bishop.

3/16/20
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

You are probably aware of the fact that in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, different measures are being put in place to ensure the safety of parishioners. These measures are in line with the directives from the Center for Disease Control and the Chancery of the Diocese of Belleville. Since this is a rapidly evolving situation, these directives are subject to change or modification. We will make it a top priority to send out new information or directives as we receive them or as decisions are made which may affect already scheduled parish activities. At this time, the following events will be canceled till the end of the month, unless otherwise directed.

• Parish School of Religion (PSR) classes
• Masses and Communion Services at Oak Hill and Garden Place
• Queen of Hearts Fundraiser
• 7:00 pm mass on 3/19/20 for the Solemnity of St. Joseph
• The Adult Faith Formation activities
• All previously scheduled Youth Faith Formation activities
• Noon mass on 3/20/20
• 3/20/20 Stations of the Cross

In the meantime, please ensure that you can receive information and updates via the parish’s Social Media channels; Facebook, Parish App*, parish wide email. If in doubt, please call the parish office for clarification.

*To download the parish app:
iPhone Users Text: ParishApp1 to 555888
Android Users Text: ParishApp2 to 555888
(please make sure you allow push notifications) 

For those who are unable to attend Mass, please click here to read a prayer for spiritual communion. 

COVID-19 Guidelines from Bishop Braxton
Epidemic, Pandemic and Outbreak Preparedness

• Parishioners should not come to Mass and parish activities if they are feeling sick with symptoms of the virus or if their immune system is compromised. Anyone who is ill is automatically dispensed from the obligation to participate in the Sunday Eucharist. 

• Make sure all vessels used at Mass, once purified, are thoroughly washed with soap and hot water after each use.

• The greeting of peace should not be a handshake or a kiss. It should be verbal without physical contact.

• Holding hands, which is not formally a part of the Mass, should be discontinued. 

• Parishioners should keep a reasonable distance from the nearest person in church, whenever possible.

• The Faithful should receive Holy Communion only in their hand and not on the tongue. 

• Discontinue the distribution of the Blood of Christ to the Faithful from the chalice. 

• All holy water fonts and baptistries must be emptied and covered at this time. Holy water should be poured out on the ground. 

• Priests, Deacons, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should practice good hygiene, washing their hands before Mass begins and using an alcohol-based antibacterial solution before and after distributing Holy Communion. This should be done in a reverent and non-distracting manner. 

• All parishioners should be mindful of the need to wash their hands with soap regularly throughout the day and make every effort to avoid touching their faces. 

• All Priests, Deacons, and Extraordinary Ministers bringing the Eucharist to the elderly, sick, or homebound, must be in good health, showing no symptoms of the virus. Be aware that many nursing homes in the Diocese not allowing visitors at this time. 

• Please consult the regular updates on the coronavirus (COVID-19) as well as all preventative measures which can be found at cdc.gov. Always follow the advice of medical professionals and experts.

A Prayer to Combat the Coronavirus Pandemic
Most Merciful and Triune God,
We come to You in our weakness.
We come to You in our fear.
We come to You with trust.
For You alone are our hope.
We place before You the disease present in our world.
We turn to You in our time of need.

Bring wisdom to doctors.
Give understanding to scientists.
Endow caregivers with compassion and generosity.
Bring healing to those who are ill.
Protect those who are most at risk.
Give comfort to those who have lost a loved one.
Welcome those who have died into Your Eternal Home.

Stabilize our communities.
Unite us in our compassion.
Remove all fear from our hearts.
Fill us with confidence in Your care.

Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You.

Amen.