Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I pray this letter finds you well. We continue to live in difficult times filled with uncertainty. No one has escaped the effects of COVID-19. In all of this, our faith has been essential. While we have been away from the sacraments, Jesus has not been away from us. I have been inspired by your faith during this time. The human cost to this pandemic has been extraordinary, not just in terms of lives lost to the virus but also the rapidly growing problems of job loss, depression, crime and violence, and substance abuse. As Pope Francis has said, the Church is a field hospital ministering to all, especially the poor and vulnerable. This is why all the Bishops of Minnesota, including our own Bishop Kettler, have decided that we can safely resume public Masses. I must note that this is in defiance of Governor Walz’s current order, which may have not allowed gatherings in churches of more than 20 until his Phase 3, which is in an unknown time frame. To find the letter from the Minnesota Bishops regarding the resumption of public worship, visit the St. Cloud Diocese Updates found under the Messages and Prayers section below.

Beginning Tuesday, May 26^th, we will resume our regular Mass schedule. However, there will be no daily Mass in Mora on Friday, May 29.  In the last weeks Bishop Kettler has sent out guidelines of how we can safely resume the celebration of public Mass. I have sent him our plan which he approved. I will now highlight some important things we need to be aware of as we resume Mass.

• Occupancy of our churches will be limited to 33% of building capacity. You will find the pews clearly marked indicating which ones can be used and which ones need to remain empty. We will follow the 6 feet apart rule. Members of the same household are able to sit next to each other.
• Upon entering and leaving the church building, please follow the 6 feet apart rule.
• Use of hand sanitizer and washing hands is encouraged upon entering and exiting the church.
• Face coverings are encouraged, but not mandatory.
• All missalettes and hymnals will be removed from all our churches for the time being.
• A 6 foot distance must be kept during the procession to receive communion.
• During these first months, only myself and Deacon Ken can be seated in the sanctuary. There will not be servers. Lectors are to be seated in the reserved first pew. Deacon Ken and I will distribute Communion. The chalice won’t be distributed until further notice.
• As they already do, ushers will play an important role in helping direct people to the place they can be seated, etc. They will also help with the communion line.

This may seem like a lot, but it is important for us to remember that we need to continue to take protocols to keep ourselves and each other healthy. It goes without saying, but if you are ill, please stay home. Bishop Kettler will continue to give dispensation from Mass for everybody. At this time, no one is obligated to attend Sunday Mass.

Please pray for our Minnesota Bishops. I encourage you to write our Bishop Donald Kettler to thank him for defending our religious liberties while still adhering to the protocols of keeping us all physically healthy.
Bishop Donald Kettler
PO Box 1248, St. Cloud, MN 56302

Please write Governor Tim Walz (130 State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155) or email (https://mn.gov/governor/contact/) to let him know you support our Minnesota Bishops in safely reopening our churches for public worship.

There is much more to say, but I wanted to keep this letter brief. Please, do not hesitate to reach out to me or the staff at our parishes with questions.  

In Christ's Peace,
Fr. Derek