Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Considering the rapidly changing needs for safer procedures in dealing with any potential outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) I would like to update you on what is happening here at our St. Andrew parish.  

First, as a spiritual father, I want to encourage us all to remember that God is with us in all things and is very capable of bringing great good out of all that troubles us in this world.  All we need to do is look at a Crucifix to see that even from the greatest of all evil came the greatest of all good!

However, God does not will evil and so we need to do all we can to prevent it and its effects.  

So, what are we doing and not doing?

• We will continue to offer Mass for those who desire to come, however, …
• If you are feeling under the weather in any way, please do not come to Mass  
• Bishop Boyea has dispensed EVERYONE in the diocese from the Sunday Obligation to attend Mass, which includes the Saturday night Vigil Mass.  (This means that you do not commit a sin by not attending)
• We are asking all our Seniors and those with any serious underlying medical conditions to please stay at home!

The Diocese of Lansing Outreach Mass can be watched on TV or computer at: dioceseoflansing.org/outreach-mass...
 
The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) https://www.ewtn.com/ offers daily and Sunday Mass live at 8:00am and it is repeated at 12:00noon and again at 7:00pm on cable and dish networks and you can also live stream it on your computer at: ewtn.com/tv/watch-live...
 

• If you choose not to come to Mass, please take advantage of making a spiritual communion which calls down true grace from God for those who are unable to receive the Eucharist.  

Spiritual Communion Prayer:

My Jesus,
I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
ome at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.  
Never permit me to be separated from You.
men
 

• During Mass we will not be offering communion under the form of Christ’s blood except for one cup for those who are suffering from total gluten intolerance.  That cup will be offered to the right of the Presiding Priest at each Mass.  Please refrain from receiving from this cup unless you are not able to receive Jesus in the form of his Body
• For the safety of others, please consider receiving communion in the hand and not on the tongue during this period of possible health threat
• We are asking everyone to offer a reverential bow, wave, fist/elbow bump or some other form of non-handshake greeting at the opening welcome and at the Sign of Peace.  Please also refrain from holding hands for the “Our Father”
• We have removed the small holy water fonts next to the doors.  The baptismal font remains full, but no one needs to use it if you do not wish.
• Sunday Offertory: In this time of limited attendance, the offertory will drop considerably.   Yet, the bills and the needs of our staff and their families will not.  Please consider making on-line offerings through our Website at: standrewsaline.org/general-donation...
• I would also like to encourage everyone to be aware of our vulnerable neighbors in these days.  Even though we are being asked to isolate ourselves for safety sake, nevertheless, there may be some who get sick and need food to be delivered to their porch, etc. There has been hording happening and some may not have even been able to get enough food.  Though we are being asked to separate ourselves physically, we are never separated in Christ.  I AM my brother’s and my sister’s keeper! 
• For all the events that are cancelled (or will be) at St. Andrew please go to: standrewsaline.org/hea...

 
I ask that each family of the parish continue offering a Family Rosary to Our Blessed Mother at least once a week, if not daily, for the safety of all in our parish family and the whole community of Saline, especially the elderly and health care workers and for all in the world most effected at this time of pandemic.  This is important not just for our physical health, but even more so for our faith, which is always tested in such times.  

Let us put our physical and spiritual health into the hands of our Blessed Mother to be offered with her intercession before our Lord (her Son) Jesus Christ.  I truly feel that this is what he wants us to do most.  
Blessings to all,
Fr. John

Fr. John Linden
Pastor
St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church
910 Austin Road
Saline, MI 48176
(734) 429-5210