St. Andre Bessette Parish

At the beginning of the Covid Pandemic in the United States, the American Bishops, for the most part, gave a blanket dispensation from participating in the Sunday Eucharist for all Catholics until further notice. This dispensation was enacted when most states were experiencing ”shelter in place” ordinances for the safety and well-being of all citizens. During this time, many parishes and dioceses offered “on-line” Masses and televised liturgies, encouraging people to participate from their homes.
 
Since mid-May, however, for the most part, those “Shelter in Place” orders have been lifted , People are free to move about as they please,  And while some social distancing protocols remain in place, life has returned to normal. So the question needs to be raised: Why are people NOT returning to the practice of the Faith in regards to Sunday Eucharist?
 
For some, the dispensation is a convenient excuse—the Bishop says I don’t have to go to Mass, so I don’t have to go to Mass.
 
Others have become accustomed to watching it online or on TV because it better fits their busy schedules or is more convenient.
 
Still others refrain from participating in the Sunday Eucharist because they have legitimate health concerns, are homebound, or simply cannot get to the scheduled Masses because of other obligations.
 
So, the question is this: Just because the Bishop says we CAN skip Mass on Sunday, SHOULD we skip Mass on Sunday.
 
The Church has long taught that the Eucharist is central to our Life of Faith. To live without the Eucharist is to condemn oneself to death from hunger. The Eucharist is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ given to the world as Food and Drink. He promises that all who feast on Him will have life in Him and will be raised up on the last day. Yet, many Catholics are content to sit back on their couches, lounging in their jammies, and watch Mass on TV because the Bishop Says we Don’t Have to Go to church!
 
This is an outrage to God and an affront to the Blessed Sacrament!
 
Those who are ill, suffering from underlying medical conditions, feeling the effects of advancing age, or caring for someone who is sick or unable to care for themselves are the ones who need to avail themselves of the Dispensation to Participate in Sunday Mass. As a matter of fact, these always have a dispensation from participating in Sunday Eucharist.
 
Those, however,  who are in reasonably good health, who go to work daily, who frequent restaurants, bars, and pubs, who are capable of going on vacations, camping trips, or other activities, and who are not carriers of the Covid 19 virus SHOULD NOT avail themselves of the Dispensation. They should get back to the regular practice of the Sunday Eucharist.  If there is nothing to prevent you from taking part in these other, normal, daily activities, there is nothing preventing you from participating in the Eucharist.
 
Just because the Bishop says we CAN dispense ourselves from Mass, doesn’t me we SHOULD dispense ourselves from Mass.
After all, Our eternal destiny is at stake.
 
 

SATURDAY EVENING 

CONFESSIONS 2:30-3:30PM
Confessions will be heard in the side sacristy (behind the Sacred Heart). We ask that you enter by way of the sanctuary and exit by way of the side door. 

ROSARY 3:40pm 

VIGIL MASS FOR SUNDAY 
4:00pm 

It has come to our attention that those who use the van service will not be able to attend Mass if we kept it at 4:30pm. In an effort to accommodate the needs of all, the vigil Mass has been moved back to 4pm. 

THE 5:30 pm Vigil Mass has been
discontinued. 

SUNDAY MASSES 

ROSARY 7:40am 

SUNDAY MASS 8:00am 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 
when it resumes in the fall will begin at 9am and end at 10:30am. 

ROSARY 10:40 am 

SUNDAY MASS 11:00 am 

ROSARY 5:40 pm 

SUNDAY MASS 6:00 pm 

WEEKDAY 
ROSARY 7:40 am 
Mass 8:00 am 
Tuesday thru Friday 

The Church will continue to be open on Thursdays from Noon until 4 pm for Private prayer and Adoration.

It has been our experience over the course of the last few weeks, that many of the parishioners who "signed up" for a particular Mass do not "show up" for the Mass. 

If you would like to come to Mass, do not let the fact that your name is not on the list stop you. In most cases, there is still plenty of room in our church for you to participate, even with the Covid 19 social protocols in place. 

If you desire to receive our Lord in the Eucharist, all you have to do is come.

 

There will be a GENERAL MEETING of all ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILS- Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Social Justice Council, Liturgical Council, Catechetical Council and Parish Life Council, as well as all STAFF members on Wednesday, September 9th beginning at 6pm in the Parish Hall. All members of these councils are asked to be present as we review this document and set a course for the future of our parish. 


 


Prayer for a Return to the Practice of the Faith

O Good Shepherd, 
you never cease 
to seek out the lost,
to call home the stray, 
to comfort the frightened, 
and to bind up 
the wounded. 
I ask you to 
bring your people
back to the practice 
of the Faith, 
Remove all obstacles 
that prevent them 
from receiving 
your abundant mercy, 
flowing through 
the Sacraments 
of your holy Church. 

Through the intercession of 
Mary, the Mother of God, 
St. Joseph, her Spouse,
St. Michael the Archangel 
and all the heavenly hosts, 
St. Andre Bessette, 
their Patron Saints 
and the ever-prayerful 
St. Monica, 
may you pardon their sins
and unshackle them 
from whatever hinders 
their freedom 
to come Home. 

For you, O Good Shepherd, 
have loved us to the end 
and offered yourself 
to the Father
for the salvation of all. 
Amen.

 



 

Check out our brand new blog which was created by Matt Kurtz
You can view the blog at the top of this page!! Also if anyone has any awesome blog ideas please let me know my email is mattystandre1979@yahoo.com!      

Looking for recipes from our Parish chefs!!

If anyone has any delicious recipes I would love to show them off on our 
website for everyone to enjoy, please email Matty at mattystandre1979@yahoo.com  
Or you could also write them down and put them in with the collection envelopes also. 
Looking forward to see what wonderful recipes we have!