COVID-19 Update #1

Dear St. Joseph Parish Family,
 
As we are all aware, things are moving very quickly with the coronavirus threat. Today everything seems to have been cancelled. We as a parish community also need to take precautions, and so I want to share with you what St. Joseph's parish is doing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and how we can help.
 
•Anyone who is high risk and cannot safely procure groceries or other necessities can email St. Joe's and we have volunteers who will help you. Let us know how else we can serve you in this crisis.
 
•The St. Joseph Parish dinner planned for 3/21 is cancelled. Instead we will have a parish dinner at the end of summer to celebrate the opening of the new McGuire Hall. At Masses this weekend you can return tickets you've already purchased for a refund. You can also return tickets for a refund in the parish office when it reopens.
 
•The parish offices are closed until the threat passes. The staff will be working from home.
 
•The parish mission planned for 3/29-4/2 is cancelled.
 
•All religious education and ministries are cancelled until the threat passes. This includes CCD, RCIA, Youth Group, and all ministries.
 
•All the sacraments will continue to be provided. We will continue to have all the scheduled Masses, confession times, baptisms, baptism prep classes, and weddings. We will continue to offer the Eucharist under one species (ie: no chalice) at Mass, we have removed the holy water from the fonts, and please just wave for the sign of peace.
 
•As of now Holy Week is unaffected and we will have all the special Holy Week liturgies.
 
Please keep your city and parish in your prayers as we go through this crisis. Please stay close to Jesus in these difficult times. Remember charity and seek to imitate Christ as we strive to overcome these present trials.
 
God Bless,
Fr. Boniface