Queen of the 

Holy Rosary, Hostyn

&

Sts. Peter and Paul, Plum

July 23, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the precepts of the Church are set to ensure the spirit of prayer and growth in spiritual life of the faithful. Founded in the tradition of the Church there are five practical precepts listed in the Catechism #2042-2043.
The first of these is the obligation “to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.”
n consideration of the public health concerns caused by the spread of COVID-19, I dispensed the faithful of the Diocese of Victoria from this obligation to physically attend Sunday Mass through July 31. I am extending this dispensation through Aug. 31, 2020.
et us keep one another in prayer, for ourselves and for the world, entrusting our hearts to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Most Reverend Brendan J. Cahill
Bishop of Victoria in Texas

Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Hostyn and Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Plum continue the celebration of Holy Mass with a congregation under the following Diocese of Victoria guidelines:

• Parishes can return to celebrating Mass with a Congregation. We need to be careful to follow the safety guidelines proposed by our local officials. Here are some things to consider:
  • People over the age of 65 should be encouraged to continue participating from home.
  • People with a heart condition or diabetes, who are overweight or have other underlying at-risk conditions, should be encouraged to continue participating from home.
  • Dispensation from Sunday obligation to attend in person is extended through August 31, especially with respect to people who may be considered physically well to attend, yet believe it best to stay at home. This does not mean that you are dispensed from (the 3rd Commandment) keeping Sunday holy - listening to Mass online or on TV, reading the Bible, praying the Rosary, and studying Scripture are all ways to keep Sunday holy.
  • Parishioners should take their temperatures before coming to Mass and should not attend if exhibiting any signs of sickness.
  • Those unable to attend the Mass could make an appointment with their pastor to receive communion at the church office during the week.
  • Concerning the celebration of Sunday Mass, consider the following:
    • An outdoor Mass may be permissible, if a pastor thinks it is safer and possible to celebrate reverently.
    • Weddings and Funerals are permitted, utilizing size consideration and social distancing protocols.
    • In order to accommodate social distancing protocols, pastors are to allow in their churches no more than 25% of the mandated fire code seating capacity of the building.
    • Depending on the layout of the particular church, parishioners are to be seated in every other or every third pew.
    • Those of the same household can be seated together in a pew.
    • An usher or team of ushers should be trained to make sure the church doesn’t exceed attendance limitations and people follow social distancing protocols.
    • Ushers/greeters are encouraged to wear gloves and masks, and to open and close doors for parishioners upon their arrival and departure.
    • The Holy Water fonts should be empty; the presider may use the Sprinkling Rite and speak about the connection to Baptism.
    • Parishioners should be careful not to gather too closely when entering or leaving the church, or stand too close in the communion line.
    • Hand sanitizer should be available and easily visible at the church entrance.
    • Priests, ushers and parishioners should wear masks.
    • Pews should be sanitized thoroughly between Masses, including under the seats.
    • Bathrooms should be sanitized thoroughly between Masses.
    • Missalettes and hymnals should be removed from the pews and not utilized during sacramental and liturgical celebrations.
    • Liturgical ministries should be limited in number – possibly celebrating Masses with no altar servers and only one lector.
    • Choir members should practice proper social distancing.
    • Collection should be done in such a way that no one is required to touch the basket, for example have the basket at church entrance and ask people to make contributions when entering or exiting.
    • The offertory procession should be discontinued.
    • Hosts could be distributed in the ciboria before the Eucharistic Prayer so priest breathes only on host that he will consume. 
    • Liturgically, the Sign of Peace and distribution of the Precious Blood should be suspended.
    • Clergy should not share from the same chalice.
    • Priests and Extraordination Ministers of Holy Communion should wear masks during distribution of communion.
    • The distribution of Communion is an especially sensitive time. The person receiving communion should be encouraged to receive in the hand. When communion has concluded the presiding priest should combine the consecrated hosts at the Tabernacle. 
• Parish meetings and gatherings of a smaller size on parish grounds may be resumed, while utilizing established protocols for social distancing and other safety measures.

The Mass is televised live from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory in Victoria on Sundays at 9 a.m. on KAVU television and live-streamed at www.olvcathedral.org. The daily Mass with Bishop Barron is available on this website (see below).  Many parishes in the Diocese are live streaming the Sunday Mass on Facebook.  In addition, there are national broadcasts of the Sunday Mass on various cable networks. Though not able to attend Mass, the faithful are encouraged to pray in their homes.  Spiritual Communion can also be made at any time. In doing so, we unite ourselves to God and the Church in prayer, when unable to physically receive the Holy Eucharist. 
Livestreamed Masses:

• Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory: http://ourladyofvictory.sermon.net/
• CatholicTV Network: https://www.watchthemass.com/
• Word on Fire:  https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/  (available through our parish website)
• EWTN is also broadcasting Holy Week services.

To view all of the releases and updates from Bishop Brendan Cahill, please visit https://victoriadiocese.org.

Let us pray for one another and for all who suffer in any way from the effects of COVID-19.