Area Faith Community Website: stsmichaelmarybrendan.com

411 Court Avenue, P. O. Box 357

Church Office: Terri Olson, Administrative Support Parish Office ................................. (507) 237-2851 Fax ................................................ (507) 237-2383 E-Mail ................. stmichaelchurchof@yahoo.com

504 Seventh Avenue NW, P. O. Box 392

Church Office Terri Olson, Administrative Support

Parish Office ................................. (507) 964-5413 Fax/Kitchen ................................... (507) 964-5425 Education Office ........................... (507) 964-5425 E-Mail…………………..stmararl@frontiernet.net

Office Hours: Monday-8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday-Closed

Church of St. Isle 55338 221 McGrann Avenue, P. O. Box 85

Parish Office ................................. (507) 326-5111 Fax ................................................ (507) 964-5209 Emergencies .................................. (507) 964-5413 E-Mail .......................... stbrendan@frontiernet.net

The Ascension of The Lord

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Fr. Aaron Johanneck, Parochial Administrator Office: (507) 964-5413 Rectory: (507) 702-7055 Emergency: (507) 828-3392

fr.aaron.johanneck@gmail.com

This Week in Our Parishes Sunday, May 24, The Ascension of The Lord

10:00 a.m. Mass (Livestreamed on Facebook)

Monday, May 25

Private Mass - Fr. Berger Special Intention

Tuesday, May 26

Private Mass Fr. Berger Special Intention

6:00 p.m. Mass +James Heiling (MAR)

Wednesday, May 27

Private Mass Fr. Berger Special Intention

8:30 a.m. Mass +Becky Routier (BRE)

Confession 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (MAR)

7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Adoration for the Pandemic (MAR)

Thursday, May 28

Private Mass Fr. Berger Special Intention

8:00 a.m. Mass +Louis Rewitzer (MIC)

Friday, May 29

Private Mass Fr. Berger Special Intention

8:00 a.m. Mass –Evelyn Mielke (MAR)

Saturday, May 30

5:00 p.m. Mass +Elmer & Berniece Wentzlaff (MIC)

Sunday, May 31 Pentecost Sunday

8:00 a.m. Mass +Steven Meyers (BRE)

10:00 Mass For the People (MAR) (Also Livestreamed on Facebook)

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As you have probably heard, despite the continued restriction ofor places of worship to no more than ten participants the bishops of Minnesota have given permission to parishes to resume public Masses beginning on Tuesday, May 26. I highly encourage you to read the letter, which you can find on the diocesan website (dnu.org) on the COVID-19 resources page.

This decision is not meant to disrespect those in public authority who are charged with the common good. The bishops have been most cooperative and supportive of taking efforts to flatten the curve of the virus and to allow time for medical facilities to prepare to handle a surge of patients when the peak is reached. They point out that they ordered the suspension of public Masses before the stay-at-home executive order went into effect. Now that more non-essential businesses are being allowed to open, it is highly disap-pointing that what the churches offer is still not considered to be “essential” enough to be allowed to reopen to gatherings of more than ten. The bishops explain that they have reached out to the governor a number of times with proposals for how to reopen safely, which they are willing to discuss. But this has not gone anywhere.

The Church very much cares about the physical health of all people and believes it is important to take reasonable precautions against the virus. But we also believe that it is essential for us to be able to practice our faith and to gather to worship God and to re-ceive grace and strength from the sacraments, especially in such a difficult and challenging time. All, of course, while taking precau-tions to keep participants safe. Again, I highly encourage you to read their letter.

We are making preparations to allow larger numbers of people to attend Holy Mass in our parishes. We began this week by limiting attendance to ten. Beginning on Tuesday, it will be possible for more people to attend daily Masses. It will not be necessary to sign up for the scheduled daily Masses this week.

We are also making preparations for public Masses to be held for the great Solemnity of Pentecost, the weekend of May 30 and 31. This will not be Mass as usual. There are protocols and precautions that we must follow. See the notes listed elsewhere in the bulle-tin.

These are indeed crazy and challenging times. It will seem strange to have to take all of these precautions. But we are doing what we can to keep people safe while still allowing those faithful who desire and feel comfortable to participate in the Holy Mass and to receive the Holy Eucharist. I realize that people are all over the board when it comes to their opinions about the pandemic and the precautions that we will be taking. Some will believe they are too much; others, not enough. I cannot stress enough that no one is required to come back to church at this time. If you are not comfortable or do not believe that these precautions are enough, you are free not to come. If you think the precautions are overboard, I ask your patience. We are taking these precautions also out of respect for others and for love of our neighbor.

These things could change. So please keep checking the bulletin, as well as the AFC website and Facebook page. This is how we plan to proceed for our first weekend back. We will likely make adjustments after we see how the first weekend goes. Again, I ask and thank you for your patience

God is with us in all of this. While it is natural to have anxiety and fear, the Lord asks us not to be afraid, but to put our trust in Him. Whatever happens He is with us. He has ascended into heaven to be with His Father and to intercede for us. He has sent us His Holy Spirit to fill us with His presence and power. While taking reasonable precautions and exercising the virtue of prudence, we act not out of fear, but in faith.

May God bless your Memorial Day weekend. Let us also remember and pray for those who have given their lives in service to our nation.

Happy Easter!

In the risen Lord,

Fr. Aaron Johanneck

Remember In Prayer

Parker Doebbeling ( grandson of Francis/Wendy Bigaouette), Chad H., Natalie (Kopp) Eiden, Russ Kopp, Caroline Reckdahl,

Luvern Steffes (Carol Mader’s brother), Megan Wiltgen

Please check out the Formed website at formed.org

The code for the website is TKY88G

Please Note Mass Time Change

Starting the weekend of May 30 & 31 Mass times will change.

Saturday, 5:00 p.m. St. Michaels, Gaylord

Sunday, 8:00 a.m. St. Brendan’s, Green Isle

Please sign up to attend Mass by calling 507-964-5413, St.

Mary’s Parish Office by 4:00 p.m. Friday

The Catholic Heart Work Camp Youth would like to “Thank” everyone

that supported our Gerten’s fundraiser. Your support of our youth is

greatly appreciated.

Notes for the Holy Mass for the weekend of May 30 and 31, the Solemnity of Pentecost

*The Sunday obligation is still lifted. There is no obligation to attend Mass at this time. Those who are 65 and older or have un-derlying health conditions that make them vulnerable to the virus are strongly encouraged not to attend at this time.

*If you or anyone in your household is sick or showing any signs of sickness, please do not attend, for your own sake and for the sake and health of others.

*I am asking that you please sign up for the Sunday (or Saturday evening) Masses by contacting Terri Olson in the St. Mary’s office. This applies to all three parishes. We need to be able to manage the distribution of people at these Masses as the numbers will still be greatly limited. This means that you might not be able to attend Mass at your preferred time or location.

*The Mass schedule was set to change the first weekend of June. Rather than having Mass with one schedule for one weekend, and then change it immediately the next weekend, beginning May 30 and 31 we will move to the summer/fall schedule with the 5 p.m. Mass at St. Michael’s in Gaylord, the 8 a.m. at St. Brendan’s in Green Isle, and the 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s in Arlington.

*While we are supposed to be allowed to have up to 1/3 of each church’s capacity present, because the protocols also ask us only to use every third pew, and because of the configurations of the churches and the average household size, this number will be much less for each location in order to allow for distancing for those not in the same household. We are still considering the numbers.

*We will be filling the churches from the front and dismissing in an orderly fashion as well in order to keep distances and to minimize contact in the church.

*The churches will be sanitized before and after each Mass. *All participants should sanitize their hands as they enter and exit the churches with hand sanitizer that will be provided at the en-

trances. *The collection baskets will not be passed around during the offertory. Baskets will be placed at the entrances for participants to

place their offerings. *Masks are highly encouraged. Remember that these are more in consideration of and for the sake and of not spreading the virus to

others. The ministers in the sanctuary will not wear masks during the celebration of the Mass as this is highly inappropriate for the sacredness of the liturgy, and because we will be in the sanctuary at a distance from everyone else in the church. I will wear a mask for the distribution of Holy Communion.

*I will sanitize my hands before distributing Holy Communion. If I make contact with anyone’s hand or mouth while distributing, I will stop distributing to sanitize my hands again before continuing.

*Anyone who is uncomfortable returning to church is free not to do so. We will continue to offer the livestream of the 10:00 Mass for the foreseeable future.

*If you are not able to participate in Sunday Mass because we reach our maximum numbers or because you are not comfortable in larger crowds, you might consider attending Mass during the week instead when the crowds will be smaller.

*These notes are subject to change.

WEEKLY COLLECTION AND BUDGETED AMOUNTS

St. Michael St. Mary St. Brendan Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget

Weekly Collection: $ 515 $ 1,415 $ 862 $ 2,038 $ 738 $ 1,118

Current YTD: $ 52,759 $ 65,090 $ 79,357 $ 91,711 $ 33,119 $ 51,310

Returning to Public Mass