When the COVID19 restrictions began, I had no idea that it would be such a roller coaster ride; usually I like roller coasters, but this one, not too much!  I would like to inform you of a couple offerings and remind you of our current procedures.

St. Joseph the Worker is now Live Streaming our 5:00 pm Mass, as well as some holiday Masses.  Please subscribe to our YouTube channel; go to YouTube.com and enter St. Joseph the Worker Mankato, MN into the search bar or use this link https://www.youtube.com We will also post the videos to our Facebook pages.

Again, I kindly ask you to 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; 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 as we care 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 in the sanctuary, but must use them in the rest of the church.
• 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.
• Parishioners are strongly encouraged to receive Communion on the hand.
• You are 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 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. Exit from one of the 3 remaining doors. Door #7 is entrance ONLY.
+ AT HF, ENTER BY WAY OF NEW ENTRANCE (upper or lower level); all other doors will remain locked. Exit from one of the remaining doors, NOT the new entrance. 

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.  Our sacrifices and inconveniences can be accepted, even embraced, out of love for our neighbor.
-Fr. Tim Reker

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

HOW CAN WE HELP?
Please know that we are here for you during these challenging times and that you can rely on your parish family. Contact us if we can help in any way. Parish Office: 388-3766 or office @sjwhf.org 

Resources and links for you: 

Take advantage of the following resources being offerered for FREE during this time!

• Ascension Press; https://ascensionpress.com/pages/spiritual-guidance They also offer great resources through their Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/AscensionPress/
• Liturgical Press: Give Us This Day; https://giveusthisday.org/Digital
• Magnificat; https://us.magnificat.net/free
• Bayard: Living With Christ; http://www.livingwithchrist.us/#covid
• The Word Among Us; https://wau.org/meditations/

Access the Sunday Bulletin here: /bulletins

Updated: 11/25/20 at 11:30 am