May 31st: Message From Fr. Hottovy

May 31, 2020

Dear St. Teresa Parishioners,

This weekend’s Responsorial Psalm prays: Lord, send out your spirit and renew the face of the earth. We ask with confidence that the Holy Spirit will guide us through the current uncertainties we face.

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 small with an average of 23 people in attendance. There is more than enough room to allow plenty of space between households.

Catholics should continue to keep the Lord’s Day—Sunday—holy with intentional time for prayer, including reflection on the scriptures of the day, watching our live-streamed (or otherwise televised) Masses, and making an Act of Spiritual Communion.

Please remember to be patient as I, Father Raminedi, and Fr. Goodwin, parish staff, and volunteers, do our best to work through these challenging circumstances.

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 will also be streamed), and Noon Masses

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

Those who cannot or wish not to attend Sunday Mass in person are invited to join us via our parish website or Facebook page. We will continue to live stream the Saturday 4pm and Sunday 10am Masses for the foreseeable future.

Guidelines and Safety Measures for Parishioners

 Those Who are Encouraged to Stay Home:

  • The sick
  • The elderly
  • People with underlying medical conditions
  • Family members who live with elderly people or those who are at risk
  • People who have access to those at risk in nursing institutions
  • People who have upper respiratory or flu like symptoms
  • People who live with someone with upper respiratory or flu like symptoms
  • People with COVID-19 or live with someone with COVID-19
  • People who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19

Those who have any fears or doubts about the reception of Communion may remain in their pews and make an Act of Spiritual Communion instead.

  • We ask all people who attend Mass (who are over 3 years of age) to wear a mask.
  • Alternate pews will be demarcated so that families can sit with the appropriate 6 feet social distancing.
  • Hymnals and missalettes have been removed from the pews.  Feel free to take one from the back but do not return it. Take it home with you and bring it for personal use at future Masses.
  • There will not be any singing at Mass by choirs or by the congregation in order to limit the spread of sickness via water droplets.
  • Collection baskets will be at the exits for you to leave your offerings.
  • Please receive Holy Communion in the hand.
  • The communion rail will not be used.  In queueing to receive Holy Communion and returning to your pews, observe the appropriate distance between households.
  • There will be two Communion stations, each with a plexi-glass divider.  The priest will stand in the center aisle and will distribute to the people who are seated in the front half for the church.  Communion will also be distributed from the back for those who are seated in the back half of the church.
  • How to receive communion in this new situation: 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.
  • After Mass, maintain a 6-foot social distance when exiting the church as well as outside on parish grounds.

Your priests’ daily Masses and prayers are being offered for you and 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 Holy Spirit 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.
  • Remember that Saturday’s Eucharistic Procession begins at 10am (following Prayers Against Pandemics, which will be said in church—and streamed—at 9:45am). This procession will begin near 33rd & D and process through that neighborhood, ending at 30th & M. Please see the attached pdf for guidelines and a map.
  • Totus Tuus will not take place at our parish this summer. Please pray for the success of the program and look forward to sending your children in future years.
  • May’s Shower of Roses Mass: on the intention slips, the Mass’s date was listed as, May 31st at 8am. This intention has been moved to the 10am Mass on May 31st (so that those participating in a streamed Mass at home may also pray toward these intentions).
  • Congratulations to our parish’s Pius X, Homeschool, and Public School graduates: Jonathan Andreasen, Jessalyn Behne, Dominic Boever, Levi Brox, Myah Buchholz, Megan Calhoun, Sara Cisneros, Alondra Garcia, Julian Gomez, Adelina Herrera, Tatiana Koenig, Andrew Kotopka, Rosemary Lang, Cade Malmkar, Campbell Mandery, Cody Nelson, Megan Nickolite, Emma Ogea, Connor O’Grady, Eion O’Grady, Kara Owens, Morgan Potter, Regina Schinstock, McKenzie Schmid, Catherine Shasserre, Joseph Vacek, Eric Varicak, Elijah Wagner, and Ella Williams.
  • Congratulations to all of those who are graduating from college this spring!
  • We are in need of Ushers to help at Masses, assisting parishioners with seating and other accommodations due to COVID-19. Please let Will Varicak know if you can help: willvaricak@gmail.com | 402-416-1070. New Ushers are welcome!
  • Lectors and Altar Servers will not be needed for Masses (indefinitely).
  • Charity and Stewardship Appeal: there is an update on the bulletin page. Remember to call the parish office if you need help with your pledge. If you made your pledge online, it is not necessary to mail the card.

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Diocesan Announcements, Reminders, & Notes:

  • The Chrism Mass is closed to the public, due to COVID-19 restrictions. It will be streamed HERE.
  • Bishop Conley has released a letter which may be read in the Southern Nebraska Register and HERE.
  • The Mass with Prayers for Healing which was scheduled for June 7 at Blessed John XXIII Chapel is postponed until a future date not yet determined.  Please pray for the sick.
  • Due to concerns about COVID-19, all Camp Kateri summer camps have been canceled. This includes SKY, Catholic Adventure, Leadership Camp, Marian Camp, and Virtus Veritas. Starting on May 1st, we will begin issuing full refunds to registered camp families. This process will be completed by May 31th. “Outdoor Ministry is an important part of a child’s spiritual nourishment. It provides a memorable setting to connect with God, make positive friendships, and learn more about the Catholic faith. We look forward to the day when children can explore their faith, and the outdoors, at Camp Kateri again.”
  • Villa Marie School is accepting applications for a full-time para-professional and a part-time para-professional for the 2020-2021 school year, to work with special needs children.  The school is also seeking to hire an after-school helper from 3:15 – 8:15 p.m. on Monday through Thursday evenings.  Must be a high school graduate willing to work with and supervise special needs children.  Please contact Sr. Jeanette at 402-786-3625 or sr.jeanette-rerucha@cdolinc.net for more information or to apply for these positions.

May God bless you and keep you!