Dear brothers and sisters of the SMM Family,

I want to thank you all for all the input about opening up the church further. I am sorry that last week's email delivery on Friday failed but it went out again on Monday. Nevertheless, despite the technology glitch, good old announcements came to the rescue and a lot of feedback was received. I look forward to a good discussion with the Parish Pastoral Council on Sunday morning. 

WRL, our general contractor is continuing with their planning to begin construction in the middle of May. This is an exciting time for the parish as we will see a lot of our efforts bear fruit. However we do face a shortfall in our finances. I am currently finalizing a letter to all parishioners and contributors that will be sent out in the next week or so. 

First, I will be thanking all who have so generously pledged to the church building fund and ask if they would prayerfully consider accelerating their payments, and invite them to consider underwriting a decorative element or item of furniture for the new church. Such a gift is over and beyond the pledge they are currently making good on, and it will be recognized with the donor's name and prayer intention. 

Secondly, I will be inviting all those who have not pledged to reconsider their decision. There are many reasons why a person may not wish to pledge but a common one was a desire to see work commence before making a commitment, and so I will be reaching out to them asking for a commitment. Meanwhile, I invite them to prayerfully consider what they can do to contribute to the project.

Third, I will be writing to all our new parishioners who have not had the opportunity to make a pledge to the capital campaign, explaining why we need to build a new parish church, and invite them to prayerfully consider an on-going gift to the project. I invite you all to continue to pray for the success of this project - once more, "If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labor!" (cf. Ps. 127: 1).

Some of the decorative items I mentioned include the stained glass and the mural decoration of the ceiling and the apse. Some of the furnishings we need include the pews, ambo, concelebrant's bench, and such like. All memorial or named gifts from the previous capital campaign will be honored. We have the pencil sketches of the windows in the office, and the murals of the saints for the ceiling are progressing. We do have some renderings of the ceiling murals. If you would like to underwrite any of these items please contact the parish office.

Last of all, I want to thank everyone for their gracious generosity, for their prayers, support, and treasure that have brought this project to where it is now. It would be impossible without any of you. Thank you so much.

May God bless you and keep you always!

V. Rev. James Rowland, JCL, VF

Announcement Regarding COVID-19 Measures and Mass Obligation

Mar 3, 2021 | COVID-19

Because of the progress being made against the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has announced that he is increasing the capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100 percent and lifting his mask requirement for the state.

Governor Abbott said that COVID-19 has not disappeared and that “removing state mandates does not end personal responsibility.” The governor stressed that removing these mandates doesn’t abandon safe practices. The same applies to our churches. We are still in a pandemic that has tragically caused over 500,000 deaths in the United States and there is still a virus that can easily spread if we are not careful.

I ask and expect all clergy and faithful to continue to take measures to keep everyone safe. This is essential in order to protect the health of our communities and so that we do not lose the progress that, by God’s grace, has been made against COVID-19.

In light of the actions taken by the governor, I issue the following updates and instructions:

Dispensation. The general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Day of Obligation that I issued in March of 2020 is withdrawn as of March 10, 2021. Many have already returned to Mass, and I encourage everyone to do so now, aware of the centrality of the Mass to our lives as Catholics and the obligation attached to it.

One does not have an obligation to attend Mass if you are sick or in a high-risk category for COVID-19; if you were recently in contact with a sick person; if you care for the sick or homebound; if you are pregnant; or if you have a significant fear or anxiety of becoming ill by being at Mass.

Seating at Mass. Pastors may open additional pews in churches, but all must be responsible for observing social distancing (6-feet between households) according to CDC guidelines. Depending on the church, seating every other pew may still be the best way to maintain social distancing, per the Texas Minimum Standard Health Protocols for churches. Pastors should consider making special areas available for vulnerable persons.

Masks. While there is no requirement to wear masks, and it is an individual choice, I encourage all to continue to follow the recommendations of the CDC.

Holy Communion. Churches in the diocese will continue to distribute Holy Communion only under the form of bread. Ministers of Communion must continue to observe the practices that are currently in place.

Holy Water and Hymnals. Parishes may make holy water, hymnals, and missalettes available. Holy water should be changed, and fonts/stoups cleaned frequently.

Events. Parish social events, classes, and other activities are permitted if CDC guidelines can be followed.

Other. Parishes should continue to observe heightened sanitization and hygiene standards for common surfaces. Hand sanitizer should continue to be made available.

Let us continue to be mindful of the sanctity of the life of each person we encounter and, in love, do our part to keep our families, friends, and communities safe and healthy.

+ Joseph E. Strickland
Bishop of Tyler