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Pastors Corner
Catholic Diocese of Columbus
The Return to Public Worship and Sacramental Life in the Diocese of Columbus Introduction
What follows are some General Guidelines applicable to all parishes and institutions.
The Return
Public Sunday Masses may begin on May 30-31.
General Guidelines for the Faithful
Bishop Brennan dispenses the Catholic faithful who reside in the Diocese of Columbus and all other Catholics currently in its territories from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass until September 13, 2020.
Those who are “high risk” are especially those highly susceptible to COVID or those who manifest symptoms of COVID. Those “susceptible to COVID,” include those over the age of 70 or those who have serious health conditions. Symptoms include a cough of any kind or a fever. Those who are “high risk” are especially cautioned to avoid public gatherings, including Mass until it is safe for them to attend. Though we wish that all could gather with us for the Eucharist, we cannot guarantee complete safety at this time.
Those attending Mass are asked to maintain hand hygiene.
Wash your hands prior to coming to Mass, bring your own hand sanitizer, sanitizing your hands before and after touching any surface, and avoiding needless touching any surfaces.
Those attending Mass are asked to maintain physical distancing before, during, and after Mass. Physical (safe or social) distancing is defined as maintaining six feet separation between others. Members of the same family are not bound by safe distancing.
Those attending Mass are asked to wear a cloth face-covering unless they are under the age of two.
Those “high risk” persons are not to serve in a liturgical ministry or as a volunteer for Masses. Ushers and greeters will be required to wear masks and gloves.
Our celebration of the Mass will seem a little different. Holy water will not be available. Masks will be worn by priests, deacons, and eucharistic ministers at the distribution of Communion. Music will be limited. No offertory procession (bringing up the gifts) will occur. The distribution from the chalice is omitted. The instruction “Let us offer the sign of peace” and the subsequent sign of peace is also omitted. The distribution of Communion will follow safe distancing practices. The reception of Holy Communion in the hand is strongly encouraged.
These instructions remain in place until further notice from the bishop’s office.
May God bless you all and keep you safe.
Remember to wash your hands.
-Love and Peace, Father Dwayne
7 Ways to Manage COVID-19 Stress Syndrome
The following is an excerpt from Deacon Joe’s Palm Sunday Homily. Deacon Joe quoted from an article in Our Sunday Visitor dated April 5 – 11th from Dr. Greg Popcak titled “7 ways to manage COVID Stress Syndrome.” (You may know him from St. Gabriel Catholic Radio AM820, he and his wife, Lisa, have a radio program called More2Life and it’s on at 10:00 a.m. weekly, they are from Steubenville and he is a Psychologist.) He mentions that Psychologists have coined the term “COVID Stress Syndrome” to describe the pandemic’s impact on emotional help and he lists 7 ways to manage “COVID Stress Syndrome”: (Deacon Joe would like to mention them because he thinks we have all be affected by COVID-19.)
- Limit Social Media/News exposure. Stay informed but be selective. Check credible sources once/twice per day. In social media, pay attention to immediate family posts – also be a positive voice in your own social media posting.
- Practice Good Self Care. When stressed we tend to sleep, eat and exercise badly. Get rest, eat well, exercise regularly. Stay clean, wash hands…
- Engage in Productive Activities. Don’t watch too much TV/computer time/gaming. Play a board game, do a puzzle, read a book, work on a project.
- Build Relationships. Connect with the people at home, strengthen family rituals, prayer time, meal times, and talk about each other’s days – good/bad intentionally every day. Check-in on family and friends to see if they are OK.
- Pray. Ask God to work on you, through you and with you so you can make a positive difference and respond productively to the challenges you are facing.
- Praise. Remember the grace God has given you to get through past storms. Write them down. Praise God for these experiences; let them be a reminder of His presence in this current situation.
- Seek Help. If your emotions are getting the best of you. Seek professional help. He works with a group called CatholicCounselors.com and they are a tele-mental health service.
This is a stressful time and with God’s grace and a little support from the people, we love we can get through this together.
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Parish Information
Address
9350 High Free Pike
West Jefferson, OH 43162
614-879-8562
Contact UsOffice hours
Monday-Thursday
9:00a.m.-3:30p.m.
Friday
Parish Office Closed
Jan Weeks (Mondays & Tuesday)
Janet Dunham (Wednesday & Thursday)
(Bulletin Editor)
Mass Schedule
Beginning Sunday September 15, 2019
Tuesday Holy Hour 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday Mass 6:00 p.m.
Wednesdays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m.
St. Jude Novena:
Following Wednesday Morning Mass
Masses: HOLY DAYS
8:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Weedend Masses:
Saturday 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.Confession
Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Sunday 8:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.Parish School of Religion and Youth Ministry:
Classes for Grades 1-3 are on
Sundays 10:15-11:15 AM,
beginningSeptember 15, 2019.
Classes for Grades 4-7 are on
Wednesdays 6:45-8 PM,
beginning September 18, 2019.
Confirmation Class for Grade 8 is on
Sundays 7:15-8:15 PM
beginning September 15, 2019.
Click to register for PSR online! -
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