June 5: Message From Fr. Hottovy

Dear Parishioners,

As we’ve seen the unrest and violence in cities across America, including Lincoln and Omaha, it’s good for us to trustingly turn to the Lord even more deeply.  We have the “Way the Truth and the Life.”  We are called to be the light in the darkness.  Isaiah prophetically reminds us, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength”

Isaiah 12:2

Although restrictions are being gradually lifted in Lincoln, all of the current guidelines for churches remain in place regarding 6-foot social distancing and distancing  by household, daily cleaning of the pews, door handles, etc. An important reminder is that everyone is asked to wear a mask (except children 3 and under). Because the Sunday obligation has been dispensed, people are encouraged to take advantage of weekday Masses. Although we have been properly formed to go to Mass every Sunday, in today’s circumstances, it is permissible to come to Mass on a weekday instead when there are fewer people in attendance. At our weekday Masses (8:15am and 5:30pm) this week, attendance has been relatively low with an average of 23 people. There is more than enough room to allow plenty of space between people and households.

All other parish and school activities remain restricted, including after-Mass gatherings such as coffee and rolls, funeral luncheons, wedding receptions, etc. In-person meetings of parish groups continue to be indefinitely suspended.

Our current public Mass Schedule:

  • Monday – Friday: 8:15am and 5:30pm
  • Saturday: 8:15am and 4pm Vigil Mass (the 4pm will also be streamed)
  • Sunday: 8am, 10am (the 10am Mass will no longer be streamed) and Noon Masses

Confessions are available on Saturdays from 1:30 – 3:00 pm.

Guidelines and Safety Measures for Parishioners remain the same (please see past messages for those details).

How to receive communion: when coming up for Communion, please keep your mask on and place your hands beneath the plexi-glass shield to receive in the hand, then move to the side, remove one side of your mask, and consume the Host.

Your priests’ daily Masses are being offered for you and for your loved ones. Please know of our sincere appreciation for all of your expressions of support, prayers, and offers of help, food, and bakery that many of you have provided. We are very grateful. Be assured of our daily prayers for you!

May the Most Holy Trinity fill your heart with the fire of His love,

Fr. Hottovy

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Parish Announcements, Reminders, & Notes

  • Our parish’s website is HERE and our Facebook page is HERE.

  • Saturday’s Eucharistic Procession begins at 10am (after Prayers Against Pandemics are prayed in church at 9:45am). This procession will begin near 47th & Valley and will wind through the area west of 48th between Randolph & A Streets, ending at 37th & Washington. Please see Wednesday’s e-mail or the attached pdf for more information. Future processions are still being planned, so that each neighborhood-area in our parish may experience the Lord’s blessing and protection.

  • Streaming: Beginning this weekend, ONLY the 4pm Mass will be streamed. For those who would prefer to watch and participate in Mass on Sunday morning from home, the aforementioned Mass will still be available for viewing. Regardless of whether you watch the live or the recorded version of the Mass, you will receive the same graces.

  • Thrift Shop: St. Teresa Thrift Shop will be open for donations only on June 6th from 9-3 and June 20th from 9-3. Please bring your clean and washed donations to the back door of the store. Ring the doorbell and a volunteer will take your donations inside. The store will NOT be open during these donation times.  | St. Teresa Thrift Shop will be open for business on these dates and times: Saturday, July 11th, Saturday, July 18th, and Saturday July 25th from 9-3. There will be NO Friday hours in July. | Donations can also be made on these dates at the back door of the store. All volunteers and shoppers must wear masks, which they provide. We may limit the number of shoppers in the store at one time to adhere to the social distancing guidelines. No children will be admitted to the store so please plan accordingly. | Thank you for supporting St. Teresa Thrift Shop!

  • Corpus Christi Procession: After 8:00am Mass on Sunday June 14th, a simple procession—priest, acolyte, servers—will begin at church and end at the Pink Sisters’ Convent. Please do not follow the procession, but plan to stand along the route and adore. A map of the route will be e-mailed mid-week. As you are waiting for Our Lord to come by, it is suggested to maintain a prayerful atmosphere with a rosary, a chaplet, or hymns with others on the route. People are welcome to scatter petals on the sidewalk ahead of the Blessed Sacrament.

  • Confessions for June 13th: Because there will be a wedding in the church on June 13th, confessions will be heard from 1:30 until 3:00pm in the outdoor space between the back of the church and the convent. If it is raining, confessions will be heard in the rectory offices.

  • Job Opening – Facilities Manager: St. Teresa Catholic Church and school is seeking a Facilities and Maintenance Manager. This includes overall maintenance and grounds for the church, school, rectory, convent, and rental house. Responsibilities include keeping the buildings and grounds safe, clean, and in good repair. General knowledge of electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems is helpful. The job includes custodial duties in the school as well as general maintenance and repair of the entire campus. Must be able to work independently and manage a team. Pay is commensurate with experience. Health and dental insurance and a retirement plan are available. 3-5 years’ previous experience preferred. Please contact the Parish Office with questions: 402-477-3979.