3/20/20
Good Afternoon Everyone,
As we continue forward in the midst of all that is going on, I encourage you to faith and peace through Jesus. Although we have all now been placed in this new reality for the immediate future, this doesn’t mean we cannot derive things from it. While it brings me much sadness that we cannot currently gather together as a Parish Family physically, I have been extremely heartened by those who have joined us for Mass via Facebook Live or the replays on both Facebook and Youtube. Our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/stpatrutland while you can seach “Fr. Jim Boland Youtube” on google to get replays there. Also, please join flocknote via our Parish Webpage with the link at the top of the page, or text “rutland” to 84576. All of these tools will help keep you updated as we go forward.
Recently, a parishioner joked about a picture going around online of a Priest offering the Sacrament of Confession via “Drive up” due to the virus. Because of continued social distancing, the priest, looking to find a way to serve his parishioners, offered this as a way to offer the Sacrament. Having reached out for guidance about the potentiality of doing this here in our Diocese, I can now tell you that we will offer this on Saturday from 3:30-5pm behind the Parish Center in the lower parking lot. One of the Knights of Columbus will be out by Pommogussett (aka Rt. 56) to help direct anyone who would wish to receive the Sacrament and keep everyone else at a safe distance away. Anyone attending would pull up to the lower doors of the Parish Center to go to confession from their car.
You may ask about the possibility of doing Mass in such a way that one could receive Holy Communion in this manner. This afternoon, all priests were directed by the Bishop that this is not possible in light of advice from medical and public health professionals. In this light, we continue to do the best we can by streaming Masses and offering a Spiritual Communion.
I will stream a Saturday morning daily Mass at 11am going forward, as well as adding a Thursday morning daily Mass to go with the rest of the weekday Masses at 8am. Our Sunday Mass will be streamed from the Church at 9:30. Should you wish to pray at the normal Mass times in the Church (5pm Saturday, 8am or 10:30am Sunday), you are welcome to do so as the Church remains open. Please though, because of safety precautions at this time, I ask that you allow myself and the Deacons to be the only ones in the Church for 9:30am through the conclusion of Mass. Please continue to pray for a quick end to the illness for all and a return to be able to celebrate all of the Sacraments once more together. I continue to pray for you all daily, and am working on other ways to bring us together online.
God Bless,
Fr. Jim