A Letter from Father Craig

Dear Collaborative Parishioners,                                                                  

God willing, we welcome back the Mass opportunity on the beautiful Feast of Pentecost, the weekend of May 30/31, the last Feast of the Easter Season which concludes the fifty days of Easter!
There will be a change in the Saturday Vigil Mass time at St. Mary from 5:30pm back to its original time of 5pm beginning Saturday, May 30. Confessions will then be from 3:30-4:30pm. We will continue to have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the altar during Confession each and every Saturday at St. Mary Church, as well as at St. John Church during their confession time of 2:30-3:30pm. I am hoping that the Saturday Mass at St. Mary which has typically been the lightest Mass of the weekend is utilized more so it can support the necessary social distancing at each of the Collaborative Masses. We will continue to have the 9am and 11am Masses on Sundays at St. Mary, and the 4pm Mass on Saturdays and 9am Mass on Sundays at St. John (please see schedule Page 2). Since I have been at St. Mary and taking attendance, the 9am Mass has been the biggest, most crowded Mass of the weekend. So, we encourage folks to not bunch up at the 9am Mass.
We have a restriction on the head count for each Mass within our Collaborative, 75 people per Mass, one quarter of the 300 person capacity, which is very full. Every other pew will be roped off. Some chairs will be removed and reconfigured to support comfortable and safe seating. Families, couples, and those who live together, can of course sit together.
To lead us forward safely and responsibly, I have developed a special implementation team for each Parish. This group will help me and Deacon Ken/Fr. Joe get people into and out of the Church safely, staying within the 75 people per Mass restriction, utilizing “social distancing” upon entering and leaving the Church and during communion reception.
I know that many of us are excited about returning to Mass. We will continue to provide the live-streaming opportunities at both Parishes for those who aren’t comfortable coming back at this time. Those could be the elderly, those with underlying health concerns, those caring for or living with the elderly, very young, or compromised individuals, or anyone who may be dealing with the emotional duress of being in larger groups of people after social isolation. Those who may not yet be ready to participate in the larger weekend Masses may want to consider attending a weekday Mass in the Church – smaller crowds, plenty of space, and the great gift of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. I will be offering several options for weekday Masses – 4pm on Tuesdays and 7:30am on Fridays at St. Mary Church, and 12 noon on Thursdays at St. John Church. Bishop Bradley, along with Archbishop Vigneron, has extended the “no obligation of Sunday Mass” through Labor Day weekend. So, no one is committing a mortal sin by not coming to Mass, even young and healthy parishioners. It is truly the individual’s choice. Please consider, though, that it is not just about you. It is about protecting your fellow parishioners. So, I am counting on everyone to give 120% cooperation.
It is our great privilege with separation of Church and State that we are able to worship God in Church if our heart is telling us that is where we need to be. If you are one of these individuals, I would encourage you to get to Mass early and prayerfully. God bless all of you and I hope to see nice, but moderate size crowds, for Pentecost weekend.


Collaborative Schedule Effective May 30/31 – June 28, 2020*
*Please note that the schedule for the remainder of the summer may be tweaked slightly.  Per state law and diocesan guidelines, facemasks are to be worn at all times in church.
St. Mary

Event	Day	Time	Addtn Info
Confession & Adoration	Saturdays	3:30-4:30pm
Mass	Saturday	5pm
Mass	Sunday	9am	This Mass will be live streamed to “St. Mary Marshall” Facebook Page
Mass	Sunday	11am
Daily Mass	Tuesday	4pm	Held in the Church
Daily Mass	Friday	7:30am	Held in the Church

 
 
St. John

Event	Day	Time	Addtn Info
Confession & Adoration	Saturdays	2:30-3:30pm
Mass	Saturday	4pm
Mass	Sunday	9am	This Mass will be live streamed to “St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Albion, MI” Facebook Page
Daily Mass	Thursday	12 Noon	Held in the Church & Celebrant will be Fr. Craig