St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Dear Parishioners,
 

Effective Saturday, May 23, 2020, Bishop Kihneman has given pastors permission to resume the public celebration of the Mass.  However, Bishop Kihneman will continue to dispense the faithful from the obligation to participate in Holy Mass, and anyone who is ill will be asked to stay home in charity to others.  Vulnerable individuals, those 65 and older or with an underlying health condition, should continue to shelter in place.  Families with vulnerable individuals are encouraged to continue to take special precautions.
 
We will continue to live-stream the Sunday 10:30 AM Mass on St. John the Evangelist’s Facebook page.
 
Beginning Saturday, May 23^rd, parishioners will be able to participate in the Mass within the church building.  We will celebrate Mass publicly seven days a week.  On Monday, May 25^th, Daily Mass will resume at 7:00 AM.
 
As we return to worship together, there are several guidelines we are required to implement:
  
You must enter the church via the breezeway entrance or the cry room entrance (on 17th Street).  Other doors will be locked from the outside.  All doors may be used for exiting. 
 
Not all seating will be available, so please cooperate with the ushers who will be seating you.  Members of the same household may sit together in the usual manner. Others are to maintain the CDC guidelines of social distancing by 6 feet.
 
It is strongly suggested that all people coming into church wear masks to cover their noses and mouths to protect themselves and others.  If you wish, you may bring gloves, but please remember that they must be removed before receiving the Eucharist in the hand.
 
Hand sanitizer will be available in the church near the entrances and you should sanitize as you enter and leave.  You may also use your personal hand sanitizer. 
      
Our families are encouraged to continue their church contributions by mail, by dropping them off at the Parish Office from 9:00 AM – 4:00 during the work week; by utilizing automatic drafts; or by giving electronically via the ParishSoft link on our website or via PayPal (stjohnthee@stjohngulfport.org).  A collection lock box can also be found on the round table and is available anytime the church is open.   
 
The Most Holy Eucharist will be distributed by Father Ryan, Deacon David and one Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.  Reception of the Precious Blood from a common chalice is suspended for the time being.  If you receive Holy Communion in the hand, please approach the minister with your mask on.  After you receive the Eucharist, please step to the side, carefully lower your mask, consume the Host and return to your pew. 

Please remember that we are in the early phases of reopening our public gatherings.   As such, we are encouraged to keep the appropriate 6-foot physical distance between each other as we gather and as we leave church and return to our own cars. There may not be any groups gathering before or after Mass.  Please refrain from shaking hands or hugging other parishioners.  Exchanging the Sign of Peace by means of physical contact remains suspended.
 
Our bulletins will continue to be posted on Facebook and on our parish website www.stjohngulfport.org.  All parishioners are encouraged to read the bulletin for updates.
 
Please be mindful that, if you contract the virus, you are to have 14 days without symptoms or 2 negative tests before you return to Mass.
 
Because the Sunday obligation to participate in Sunday Mass continues to be dispensed for the faithful, you may choose to attend a weekday Mass, with appropriate social distancing, to receive the Eucharist.  If you feel that you are at risk and you are unable to attend Mass, you may request to be added to the Homebound Communion List and that can be done by calling the Parish Office or emailing Mara Russo at mrusso@stjohngulfport.org.
 
The Wuhan Coronavirus has impacted our lives in a major way.  This impact will be felt as Bishop Kihneman begins to ask us to join back together as a family at the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  Mass will be impacted by a new wardrobe: face masks.  Also, you will see an emphasis on social distancing and hand sanitizing.  All these impacts will be an effort to keep people safe from the harmful virus.  The greatest impact will be the joy to finally gather as the St. John the Evangelist parish family.  God has made us for community.  I ask you to give thanks to God for the joy of having Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  May God bless the reopening of our church for the public celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 

St. John the Evangelist, pray for us!   
 
In Christ’s love,
 
Fr. Ryan

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