Dear Parishioners,
Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina will remain paused in Safer At Home Phase 2 for another 5 weeks as students and staff return to schools, colleges and universities and the state doubles down on efforts to decrease COVID-19 numbers.
“Other states that lifted restrictions quickly have had to go backward as their hospital capacity ran dangerously low and their cases jumped higher. We will not make that mistake in North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “In keeping with our dimmer switch approach with schools opening, and in order to push for decreasing numbers which will keep people healthier and boost our economy, North Carolina will remain paused in Safer At Home Phase 2 for 5 weeks.”
For St. Brendan, that means we continue celebrating Mass as we have since reopening: wearing masks, pews roped off, no singing, music, passing baskets, Sign of Peace, communion cup. (New) Deacon John Mullins will preach from time to time, in order to gain experience, but Fr. Mark will not. Parishioners are reminded that these guidelines are in place to reduce exposure and reduce risk.
We are still dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, so many parishioners have (wisely) decided not to come to church and view Mass at home, or to attend Mass on a weekday instead, when the crowd is smaller.
Due to the conscientiousness of most parishioners who have been mailing in their contributions or placing them in the baskets at the entrances to the church, the parish has been able to “remain solvent” during this difficult time. More on this topic in an upcoming bulletin.
“We are back to church, but we are (still) not back to normal.”
Everyone stay safe and stay healthy,
Fr. Mark
