Dear Friends,
In his address to the United States Bishops in St. Mathew’s Cathedral Pope Francis invited our leaders to be pastors, not cultural warriors. Pope Francis said, “
Harsh and divisive language does not befit the tongue of a pastor, it has no place in his heart
; although it may momentarily seem to win the day, only the enduring allure of goodness and love remains truly convincing.” There is in many of us something outside of our faith that propels us to certain ideology to the rejection of others, certain methodology to the exclusion of others, even though the other is also Gospel centered.
In the words of Brian Davis, “Many Christians—I assume with good intentions—take up the cultural warrior sword, a bit like Peter in Gethsemane. When their Christian principles are attacked, they respond in kind, drawing their weapon and striking their opponent. I think Jesus just might shut down their reckless emotionalism like he did Peter: “Put your sword into its sheath” (John 18:11).” We must love our church and country, be willing to give up our selfish interests and seek through dialogue the ways to build peace, unity and justice.
We must reject leaders, religious or political who will continue to tear our church or nation apart, and work with leaders who will endeavor for a culture of peace.
At CTK, we will be opening our Church after four months to one indoor mass on Sunday morning at 7.30am starting July 12
th
.
We will also offer our Church for funerals. As per Contra Costa County guidelines, only 100 people are allowed on a first come first served basis for worship including clergy and ministers.
Anothe
r 100 folks can sit or stand outside the Church observing social distance and wearing masks. The following guidelines will apply for indoor services:
·
If you think you might be sick, even with just a cold (and don't assume it might just be allergies) -
STAY HOME
and watch an online Mass from CTK
.
·
DO NOT CONGREGATE
outside of Church, either before or after Mass. Come directly into Church and leave immediately after.
·
Participants will be instructed to bring their own masks and to wear them throughout the service and while they are on the campus.
·
Our ushers will be available to direct the participants to their seating such that family units living together will be able to sit together while those from different households will maintain proper distancing in the seating process.
·
Once you have been given a spot,
DO NOT CHANGE SEATS
. If you move to a different spot, nobody else will be able to sit there because it will now be considered “contaminated”.
·
The usher at the church entrance will remind those arriving of the mask and hand sanitizing requirements and the social distancing regimen.
·
The distribution of communion will take place at the end of mass. Ushers will indicate which row should proceed in single file with proper spacing to the waiting Eucharistic minister. Once the person receives, she/he will proceed out of the church to their waiting car.
·
There will be no gathering in the vestibule or outside after the service.
·
Restrooms will be available, but we will ask that participants avoid their use unless it is essential and that only one person at a time use the restroom. Restrooms will be cleaned and sanitized along with the rest of the church both
before and after each service.
If you do use the restroom, please wash your hands when you enter and again when you exit. Use hand sanitizer when you enter back into Church.
The county has issued ordinances with regard to worship for indoor services. All liturgical materials will be removed from the pews and the vestibule of the church. The Governor has banned singing in the Church, which means for funerals our cantor will sing a couple of hymns from another room adjacent to the choir area. There will be no singing for Sunday Liturgies. Responses to the Mass parts should be said softly or internally.
Collection baskets will be placed at the entrance and the two side exits
. Please drop your envelopes into them as you enter or exit. I want to thank you for your understanding and patience.
We will continue to celebrate mass outdoors as usual
. We have made adjustments to our sound system, so as to minimize disturbance to our neighbors. If you are in your cars, kindly tune into
FM 106.7.
If you decide to turn on your air conditioners, kindly circulate inside air. We have improved our radio transmission after our last Sunday experience. The sound quality has definitely improved for those who will be sitting on the grass.
I want to thank our wonderful staff and volunteers who make these services possible for us. If you are willing to assist us with our services, kindly get in touch with Sr. Dominic as we need more volunteers. Our new associate Fr. Lee Chompoochan will join us this week or the next. He is trying to bid farewell to his beloved parishioners. I know Fr. Lee, and I love his spirit and unassuming demeanor.
Fr. Paulson
