March 17, 2020
Dear Parishioners,

Please be assured that amid the COVID-19 news, we are acting in a way that best minimizes risk while continuing to meet the needs of the St. John's community (parishioners, school/RE families, and employees). We will deliver a daily update , in the late afternoon via eNews. If you know someone who does NOT get the eNews, you can either share this information with them, OR advise them to call the parish office to get on the eNews list by providing their email address.

All updates shared here will immediately be added to the website for your easy reference.
CAMPUS UPDATES
  • The parish office will remain open during normal business hours (8AM-4:30PM, M-F). Please use your discretion when coming in and make every attempt to comply with the social distancing recommendations put forth by the CDC. Parish staff are urged to work remotely if they can and accommodations are being made for them to do so.
  • The school office and entire school building WILL BE CLOSED EFFECTIVE AT 3PM ON MARCH 18. No school staff or outside persons will be permitted into the building so that it can be fully sanitized. Open date TBD.
  • After Mass morning gathering is highly discouraged at this time.
  • The kitchen is closed for contamination reasons as well.
  • Extreme measures are being taken care of by our maintenance staff to continually sanitize and clean all surfaces to avoid contamination and the spread of germs.
  • Hymnals have been removed from the church to prevent cross contamination.
  • Funerals will be limited to immediate family with no visitation and no luncheon. This is an interim protocol determined based on guidelines from the federal government and CDC to not exceed 10 persons in a single gathering.
  • Adoration has been moved into the church as a way to maintain our perpetual adoration, but allow for social distancing. Scheduled adorers will follow normal adoration protocol until directed otherwise.
EVENT UPDATES
For precautionary reasons, and with guidance from the CDC regarding social distancing and limiting gatherings of 10+ persons, the following determinations have been made about parish events occurring over the next week:

  • Holy Family Prayer Group (3/17): as scheduled
  • TMIY(3/17): CANCELED
  • Pillowcase Dresses (3/18): CANCELED
  • 55+ Music Man (3/18): CANCELED (those involved will be contacted directly)
  • RE (3/18): RE sessions CANCELED
  • RE Confessions (3/18): CANCELED (updated 3/17)
  • Confessions (3/18): 7:30PM confessions as scheduled
  • Wine & Wisdom (3/19): CANCELED
  • Stations of the Cross & Benediction (3/20): CANCELED
  • Communion Prayer Service (3/21): CANCELED

**Commission, council, and other meetings are not operating onsite and are up to discretion of the leaders/liaisons whether to hold these elsewhere or virtually. Journey of Faith and Friday Faith Study are CANCELED. All liturgies will continue as planned BUT will be assessed daily with direction from the Archdiocese and the CDC.

Please continue to practice good personal hygiene and promote that practice in the workplace and at church. And please continue to pray for all those currently impacted by this virus and those who are working so hard to contain and find treatments. 

Disclaimer: events that remain scheduled for now are conditional upon further instructions/guidance.
A DAY OF FASTING-TOMORROW!
Don't forget to join together as Archbishop Hebda has asked on Wed., March 18 in a day of fasting. Here is what he asked:

"First, as was done in Rome, I am asking you to join me in a special day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer invoking God’s help in these challenging days for our Archdiocese, our country and the world. This day will occur next Wednesday, March 18, 2020 , between the Feast of St. Patrick (March 17) and the Solemnity of St. Joseph (March 19). On that day, I invite Catholics who are ordinarily bound to observe fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday to prayerfully make this same sacrifice next Wednesday."
RESOURCES
“You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shade of the Almighty, Say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust!’ He will rescue you from the fowler’s snare, from the destroying plague.” Psalm 91:1-3

DO YOU NEED HELP WITH FOOD?
This crisis may have caught many of us by surprise, leading to anxiety, lost income and increased expenses. If your family finds itself in a situation where you need assistance to provide some basic supplies necessary to weather this storm, know that you are loved by God and others, and that there are people who want to help.
Here are a few of those resources:

  • Whiskey Inferno, Hwy 13, Savage: offering bagged kids’ lunches; call 952-855-4665
  • El Loro Mexican Restaurant, Savage: offering free kids’ meal; call 952-736-8307
  • ROCK: bagged kids’ meals for pick up at Prior Lake Library or Grainwood Elem.
  • VEAP food pantry, Bloomington; call 952.888.9616 ext. 100 to make an appointment
INSPIRATION
May the Strength of God pilot us. May the Power of God preserve us. May the Wisdom of God instruct us. May the Hand of God protect us.
DAILY MASS
Relevant Radio is presenting daily Mass options! Mass is at noon central time M-F with weekend options as well. Click the link below to listen!