St. Joseph the Worker &
Holy Family Parish

Click the Donate Now button below to be taken to our secure online payment portal. 

Please, if you are able, continue making your weekly donation online during this time as you would at weekend Masses. 

Another Step …
          As of June 10^th, we are taking another step in resuming the public celebration of Mass: Minnesota churches may now open to 50% capacity (or the number that can be safely accommodated with six feet of distance).  It bears repeating that this is not returning to our normal practice; some significant changes and restrictions remain in place.  Again, I kindly ask that you cooperate fully with our guidelines so that people are kept safe and we don’t have to take any steps backward.  If you are unable to do so, please refrain from joining us in person. 

• Those over age 65 are strongly encouraged not to attend, and anyone showing any symptoms of sickness, or anyone who has a household member who is sick or showing symptoms of sickness should not come to church. As much care as each parish has for your safety, individuals do put themselves at risk by attending Mass.
• Seating will be limited; please follow the stated limits set by your parish. (SJW – 150 in church; 45 in gym. HF – 75 in church; 48 in parish hall)
• Follow all posted signs concerning social distancing and sanitation requirements.
• Hand sanitizer is available at all church entrances and exits.
• Per the Minnesota mask mandate, those attending Mass are required to wear masks (those 5 and under are not required). Celebrants, lectors, and cantors are not required to do so, but may use them at their discretion
• Please do not engage in any physical touch, such as by greeting each other.
• All will be expected to cooperate with instructions from ushers, including using one-way traffic patterns.
• Collection baskets will not be passed by hand.  A basket for church support will be available at the entrance, but we encourage you to give electronically at sjwhf.org.
• Gatherings outside of Mass are permitted, with social distancing and at the following capacities: 50% for religious events such as Faith Formation and Bible studies, and 25% for social gatherings such as coffee and donuts and funeral luncheons. Events involving food must follow the appropriate guidance from the state of Minnesota, including Guidance for Gatherings: Faith-based Communities, Places of Worship, and Ceremonies. All gatherings inside church buildings must adhere to the state-wide mask mandate, and those attending gatherings outdoors must wear masks if social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained.
• There is to be no presentation of gifts.
• The Sign of Peace is omitted entirely.
• Parishioners are strongly encouraged to receive Communion on the hand.
• The faithful should be reminded that at this time no one is obliged to receive Communion, and that Christ is encountered in those gathered in his name, in the proclamation of the Word, and especially by joining themselves to the offering of Christ to God the Father during the Eucharistic Prayer. The benefits of Spiritual Communion should continue to be promoted.
• Communicants should be reminded to observe the 6-foot distance between themselves while in line to receive holy communion. Only one, single-file line is permitted to approach the minister, rather than two parallel lines. (HF – one side at a time; SJW – process up side aisles and return by way of center aisle)

+ AT SJW, ENTER BY WAY OF DOOR #7 (parking lot entrance); all other doors will remain locked.
+ AT HF, ENTER BY WAY OF NEW ENTRANCE (upper or lower level); all other doors will remain locked.
            Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.  Our sacrifices and inconveniences can be accepted, even embraced, out of love for our neighbor.
Father Tim Reker

                                                       _______________________

The Parish Office is now open to the public, (8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-12:00pm Fridays). We ask that you please wear a mask when entering the office and respect all social distancing guidelines. Remember we can always assist you with many requests via phone or email.
                                       
UPDATE: Click here for the latest announcement from Bishop Quinn as well as the suggested protocols for resuming Mass and the Minnesota Department of Health's guidance for places of worship; https://www.dowr.org/statements/statements.html
Click here for new Decree-Dispensation from Bishop Quinn; /documents/2020/5/Decree%20-%20Dispensation%202%20-%20COVID-19-1.pdf

A very warm welcome to the parish website of St. Joseph the Worker in Mankato and Holy Family in Lake Crystal.  We are parishes located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester in southern Minnesota. Here you will find information about our parishes, our history, schedules, bulletins and ministries... but there's much, much more! Please visit us often – both online and in person!  May you be abundantly blessed!  See you soon!

Parish Office:
Summer Hours: (Memorial Day-Labor Day)
Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Friday: 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p .m. 
(507) 388-3766    email: office@sjwhf.org
                                                                                        FACEBOOK Holy Family
Office/Mailing Address:
423 West 7th Street; Mankato, Minnesota  56001

St. Joe's Church Address:                                             FACEBOOK St. Joseph the Worker
Corner of West 7th and Hubbell Avenue, Mankato 

Holy Family Church Address:
211 N Hunt Street, Lake Crystal

St. Thomas More Newman Center

Loyola Catholic School

Diocese of Winona-Rochester