-
-
preventing respiratory illnesses AND How we continue to serve
As concerns grow and we hear more about the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Influenza and other infectious and respiratory-type diseases, we continue to pray that they are contained and controlled to protect all people. Ensuring cleanliness to prevent spreading of these nasty germs, St. Joseph follows the guidelines provided by those of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis who are closely monitoring this situation under guidance of those agencies listed in the LINKS section. As situations change, we will be sure to communicate to you via email, our website and through social media. We thank you for your support and faithfulness to our parish community. We are confident that together, with God’s help and guidance, we will make it through this time of uncertainty.
MN Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline at 651-201-3920.
-
WHAT'S HAPPENING????
(See Archdiocesan and Father Terry 03-18-2020 Updates)
Stay Connected for Additional Updates
- All Masses and parish activities at both the Parish Center and the Historic Little Church have been cancelled until further notice.
- The Parish Center will be open Tuesday through Thursday 10:00am - 2:00pm for individual prayer, adoration and reconciliation, with the 10 person limit and social distancing mandates in place (see Update from Father Terry in Documents section).
- Please see Flocknote, the Bulletin, Upcoming Events, Group Webpages and Giving webpage for online resources to stay connected with and to support St. Joseph. We are working on video-conferencing and streaming technologies. Please see before for other online resources as well.
- For questions, we encourage you to please call the Parish Office, email the applicable ministry lead or communications@stjosephparish.com.
-
WHAT WE DO AT ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
St. Joseph Catholic Community Staff, Priests and Eucharistic Ministers:
- Cancelled all Masses at both locations; individual prayer and adoration will be available limiting to 10 people and 6-foot distancing mandate.
- Stay home when sick, following CDC guidelines.
- Increased sanitization routines at the church with extra cleansing of dining room and Eucharistic vessels prior to and after use.Removed holy water from Holy Water and Baptismal fonts.
- Closed Child Care Center until further notice.
- Replaced the passed offertory basket with an offertory basket on the alter.
- Properly store Precious Blood and Body of Christ (Wine and Hosts).
- Sanitize hands just prior to and after communion to the hands - suspended.
- Ensure the Eucharist chalice is turned and thoroughly wiped with a clean section of the cloth before offering wine to the next Communicant. - suspended.
-
What You must do at home and at st. joseph community:The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as Coronavirus, flu and the common cold:
- See 03-12-2020 Update Summary: If the faithful decide that congregating for Sunday Mass would constitute a risk to themselves or others, they have the freedom not to attend per Archbishop Hebda. Faithful of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are dispensed from their Sunday Mass obligation until further notice. Masses will continue to be celebrated in our parish as regularly scheduled at this time. See full announcement in "Documents."
- While not attending Mass, please fulfill your Sabbath obligation:
- stay abreast of the services that St. Joseph will be offering such as online information, video-conferencing, live streaming and videos,
- watch Mass online and see other resources on the Archdiocese website including viewing Mass at St. John's Abbey, EWTN Global Catholic Television Network, etc. or on your local television station,
- listen to the radio (broadcast 11:00a on KSTC-TV/45 and 9:00a on 1330a or 1330a,
- make a Spiritual Communion,
- pray the Liturgy of the Hours, Rosary, other devotions, and
- make your Sunday financial contribution either by mailing in your envelope or using our online payment method: https://www.stjosephparish.com/generalfund
- Stay abreast of our announcements via email, website pages or social media for changes and cancellations.
- Stay spiritually connected to the Church and each other by reaching out to those who are alone and isolated.
- For all, STAY HOME and away from busy public places. Stay at home especially if you are sick, if you are at high risk, have a compromised immune system or feel uncomfortable being in church at this time.
- Seek out medical attention if you develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing.
- Avoid touching infected surfaces and frequently wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds before eating or use a 60%+ alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover your cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Stay connected to friends, family and those who are isolated by calling, texting, video chatting, sending a letter and/or checking on them.
- Practice "social distancing" refraining from attending any size group events and staying 6 feet away from others. Think about your actions in relationship to others who are suspect to the spread of these diseases - patience is a virtue, time will heal with God's grace.
- Keep the Kids Busy While Out of School
Amazing Educational Resources has a list of wonderful activities for those “I’m bored” kids while out of school. Activities include virtual tours, worksheets, lesson plans, videos, etc. to entertain young minds. For more information and links to various educational resources, see: http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/- Children’s Missalette Videos
If you and your children are unable to attend Mass, this is the perfect time to help them better understand the Mass in an environment where kids can ask questions and watch related content. For weekly video, see: https://mycatholickids.com/massathome/.- Reach Out and Connect!
As we feel the isolation and disconnect with those we have become accustomed to being with, please take extra time to reach out and check in on those who are alone and in need of human contact. A simple letter, email, text, phone call, video chat, etc. is all it takes to brighten one's day. We are God’s disciples who are called to comfort, love and give as we can. Contact our Pastoral Care Team if you are in need of assistance or prayer at our main business number 763-544-3352 or email pgoetz@stjosephparish.com.
Find creative ways to sponsor, provide services and donations to those in need and support organizations to allow them to continue to run their programs. Stay at home and take care of yourself. Waste not, want not. Give blood. Take care of yourself keeping in mind your actions and how they affect others.- Social Engagement!
We also encourage you to join Flocknote, our email communication system, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay connected with St. Joseph and the latest news. We have links to Stations of the Cross, online Masses and have made virtual conversations possible for you through Flocknote. We regularly post updates, inspirational material, events, and resources and even throw in a funny or two when we can.
Visit our website: www.stjosephparish.com
Follow and Like us on Facebook / Instagram / Twitter: @StJoeNewHope
Join Flocknote (our email system): See our website homepage
Send your ideas, photos, inspirational thoughts to communications@stjosephparish.com that you would like to share with our Catholic Community
- Please Financially Support St. Joseph – Especially During This Time
During this remarkable time of pandemic uncertainty, St. Joseph needs your continual financial support. We will continue to remain open until we are directed by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis to do otherwise. A church just like a home requires payment of monthly bills and the facilities to keep the doors open to support our Catholic family. Please consider mailing in your weekly giving or change to online giving at www.stjosephparish.com/giving. -
WHAT YOU CAN DO AT ST. JOSEPH
(When in Session)
- Bring and use hand sanitizer before communion and after coughing or sneezing into your hands.
- Refrain from shaking hands during the Sign of Peace. A friendly smile, verbal "peace" or nod of the head can be used to greet one another.
- Refrain from holding hands during the Lord's Prayer.
- Receive the Eucharist from your hands only
- Sanitize your hands before and after church.
- Pray for those affected by these contagious viruses, that they may receive the strength and health care needed to assist them in their recovery.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7