March 26, 2020
Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Good Hope and St. Bernadette Parishes,
May the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
Rather than being able to celebrate opening day with the Milwaukee Brewers, we are in our homes and practicing social distancing away from our loved ones and our favorite activities. I highlight the Milwaukee Brewers today because I know so many of you are devoted fans! While we can only remember our favorite games of the past, we look forward to the time when we will again hear, “Play ball!”
As our world and the archdiocese are impacted by the Coronavirus (CoVID-19), please know that I am keeping you in my daily prayers and am offering up Mass for you and your intentions. As a priest who has devoted his life to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, I realize the extreme sacrifices that we are all making at this time to keep our families and ourselves safe from this pandemic It is so different not being able to gather, to worship, and to pray together as a people of faith. These are truly unprecedented times, but together we will come through it.
Archbishop Listecki sent an email out to the priests and parish directors highlighting decisions that he has been making out of concern for the safety of the people (including the priests and other pastoral leaders), as well as out of our responsibility to be good citizens as part of the larger community. He underscored that we cannot make decisions out of fear. We must use common sense in making decisions for the pastoral care of our people without taking unnecessary risk.
While people are looking for information as soon as possible, he is reminding us that things may continue to change going forward. The following are some decisions that have been made after consulting his Executive Council and the College of Consultors:
Echoing the words of the Archbishop, you all remain in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Let us continue to support one another and stay safe.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gregory J. Greiten
St. Bernadette Parish, Pastor
Our Lady of Good Hope Parish, Administrator
Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Good Hope and St. Bernadette Parishes,
May the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
Rather than being able to celebrate opening day with the Milwaukee Brewers, we are in our homes and practicing social distancing away from our loved ones and our favorite activities. I highlight the Milwaukee Brewers today because I know so many of you are devoted fans! While we can only remember our favorite games of the past, we look forward to the time when we will again hear, “Play ball!”
As our world and the archdiocese are impacted by the Coronavirus (CoVID-19), please know that I am keeping you in my daily prayers and am offering up Mass for you and your intentions. As a priest who has devoted his life to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, I realize the extreme sacrifices that we are all making at this time to keep our families and ourselves safe from this pandemic It is so different not being able to gather, to worship, and to pray together as a people of faith. These are truly unprecedented times, but together we will come through it.
Archbishop Listecki sent an email out to the priests and parish directors highlighting decisions that he has been making out of concern for the safety of the people (including the priests and other pastoral leaders), as well as out of our responsibility to be good citizens as part of the larger community. He underscored that we cannot make decisions out of fear. We must use common sense in making decisions for the pastoral care of our people without taking unnecessary risk.
While people are looking for information as soon as possible, he is reminding us that things may continue to change going forward. The following are some decisions that have been made after consulting his Executive Council and the College of Consultors:
- The Archdiocese of Milwaukee will be postponing the Chrism Mass until a later date. Once the pressing health crisis has passed, the archdiocese will schedule the Chrism Mass and call for faithful to gather in thanksgiving.
- The suspension of public daily and Sunday Mass throughout the archdiocese continues in place. Priests may continue to celebrate Mass without a congregation.
- The distribution of Holy Communion is permitted only as Viaticum (given to a person near or in danger of death). Other practices of “private” distribution may not take place. This diminishes the Eucharist from its proper liturgical and theological context.
- April 1 was designated as a day for 12 hours of the Sacrament of Reconciliation throughout the archdiocese. This will be postponed. The archdiocese will be providing formational material about how to make a good examination of conscience and a meaningful act of contrition.
- Holy Week and the Triduum are the most solemn time of our liturgical year. Public celebrations for Holy Week, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday are canceled in all of our parishes. The Archbishop will celebrate both days from the Cathedral and those services will be live-streamed. The Easter Vigil will be celebrated at the Cathedral and will be live-streamed.
- The baptisms of the Elect and the receptions into full communion across the archdiocese are postponed until a later diocesan-wide, common date.
- The suspension of public celebrations of the Eucharist continues for Easter Sunday. The Archbishop will celebrate Easter Mass at the Cathedral and that Mass will be either live-streamed or broadcast over network television. Bishop Schuerman will also offer the Easter Mass from the Cathedral, in Spanish, and the Archbishop will be present for that. More information about these celebrations will be forthcoming.
- Confirmations and First Communions are now postponed until the health crisis has passed. At that time, instructions will be provided for scheduling.
- The Spring Assembly of Priests is canceled in the beginning of May.
- With the suspension of Masses obviously comes the lack of offertory giving. The Archbishop is encouraging parishioners to make use of online giving and electronic transfer of funds to assist the existence of their parish at this time of crisis. You may also mail in donations to the parish office to help assist with the expenses. We realize that many of you are suffering financial hardship, so whatever donations you are able to make will be greatly appreciated.
- The Love One Another Capital Campaign is being suspended. He is hoping to resume the campaign when there is a return to financial stability.
- With the new restrictions from Governor Evers, it will be a challenge to celebrate funerals the way people might like. As priests, he is asking us to encourage families to delay the rituals if at all possible. If there is no way to delay, the families need to be cautious about keeping the number of people to a minimum (under 10) and maintaining the proper social distancing between people. Everyone realizes that this is especially difficult at such a sensitive time.
- There is also a variety of resources on the Archdiocesan website, including a new series of evangelization tools under Courageous Catholic. All updates to parishes and schools are always posted on the website. Please visit www.archmil.org/coronavirus.
- Archbishop Listecki, Bishop Haines and Bishop Schuerman continue to offer the daily video reflections. He is encouraging us to do whatever possible in order to keep people connected during this time. The Archbishop understands the great sacrifice it is for people to observe these many restrictions, cancellations, and postponements.
- Archbishop Listecki’s concluding thoughts: “During this unprecedented crisis in our recent world history, I want you to know that I am very proud to be your archbishop. I have no doubt of your courage and commitment to the faith. I have said a countless number of times that my greatest surprise upon arriving here in the archdiocese was experiencing the deep level of faith that has been cultivated over the years by the clergy, religious, lay ministers, and faithful. It is this strength that I and we draw upon to guide us through this time. I am a believer and I know that our Lord is with us and that we are called always to testify to His presence in and through His Church. Know that you all remain in my thoughts and prayers during these difficult times.”
Echoing the words of the Archbishop, you all remain in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Let us continue to support one another and stay safe.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gregory J. Greiten
St. Bernadette Parish, Pastor
Our Lady of Good Hope Parish, Administrator
Called by Christ, we worship together and serve the world.
All parish activities, events, meetings and Masses have been cancelled until further notice.
In addition, in an effort to further minimize traffic throughout the parish facility, we are closing the parish offices effective immediately until further notice. We will be working on essential tasks from home and coming to the office only as our work demands. Please understand that your phone call or e-mail may not be immediately returned as we will have limited access to our offices.
Sunday Masses at the Cathedral will still be celebrated but without an assembly.
The 9:00am Mass is available on Radio 920 AM, WOLF.
The 11:00am Mass is live-streamed on the Cathedral website.
Other TV Masses are available on WVTV, My24 at 7:00am and 9:00am, and on WITI Fox 6, at 5:30am.
In addition, in an effort to further minimize traffic throughout the parish facility, we are closing the parish offices effective immediately until further notice. We will be working on essential tasks from home and coming to the office only as our work demands. Please understand that your phone call or e-mail may not be immediately returned as we will have limited access to our offices.
Sunday Masses at the Cathedral will still be celebrated but without an assembly.
The 9:00am Mass is available on Radio 920 AM, WOLF.
The 11:00am Mass is live-streamed on the Cathedral website.
Other TV Masses are available on WVTV, My24 at 7:00am and 9:00am, and on WITI Fox 6, at 5:30am.
