BEGINNING THIS WEEKEND:

ST. LUKE MASS SCHEDULE:

Saturday Vigil Masses: 4:00PM  and 6:00PM

Sunday Masses:  8:00AM, 10:00AM,  12:00PM,  5:00PM.

The schedule of Masses has changed to allow cleaning/sanitizing of the church.

We thank you for your cooperation and patience. 

ST. ANDREW'S IS CLOSED FOR NOW.

Following is a letter from Fr. Jennings with the current uddates.....

May 21, 2020

Dear Parishioners,

        Hope you are all well!                                                                                                                              Here is an update from the Diocese of Wilmington and St. Luke Catholic Parish:

• Maryland parishes of the Diocese of Wilmington may open for private, individual prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. St. Andrew’s will be available for individual prayer beginning Tuesday, May 26 – Friday, May 29, from 12-3PM. Admittance will be at the Sinepuxent Ave. entrance. Fr. Jennings and Fr. John will be available for confessions during this time. Masks are required to enter the building.
• Maryland parishes of the Diocese of Wilmington may resume Daily Masses. St. Luke will begin daily Mass on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 9:00AM.

• Maryland parishes of the Diocese of Wilmington may resume Sunday Masses beginning on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Vigil Mass on May 30 is also included). St. Luke will have Masses on Saturday, May 30 at 4PM and 6PM. The time change is to allow for cleaning and the required sanitizing of the church. Sunday, May 31 at 8AM, 10AM, 12PM and 5PM. Also resulting from the time change for cleaning of the church.

• Based on the safe distancing requirements, the maximum number of people at St. Luke is 150.

• Andrew will remain closed for now for weekend Masses.

• The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass issued on March 12, 2020 remains in place for the Diocese of Wilmington.

• Those who are symptomatic or who have been exposed to the virus within 14 days are not permitted to enter the church, in accordance with national, state and local health directives. All attendees are asked to check their temperature at home before coming to church for any reason. Likewise, anyone with a persistent cough or who otherwise does not feel well should not come to church.

• Parishioners who are particularly vulnerable (e.g. over the age of sixty, existing heart or lung conditions, diabetes, or otherwise immune-compromised) are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED, for their own health, to avoid the risk of attending public celebrations of the Church until all restrictions have been lifted.

• Back to business does not mean business as usual! The St. Luke-St. Andrew you last attended (in early March) will be different upon our return, at least for the foreseeable future.

• The friendly, welcoming atmosphere of St. Luke/St. St. Andrew that was its trademark may seem to have disappeared under new regulations; but, like the “lock-down”, hopefully, this new reality will fade away.

• Reopening comes with certain risks. The goal is to mitigate the risks with certain safety precautions, this takes responsibility and patience. This virus is still with us, and we cannot be the cause of the spread.

• Entrance into church will be restricted to the center front doors, where an usher will allow entrance only when those preceding you have been seated. We must by law manage capacity and to accommodate as many as legally possible, seating must be directed. Within the pews, social spacing will be measured out; however, families living in the same household can sit together. The center pews will be for individuals and the side pews will be for couples and families. WE STRESS THAT YOU MOVE ALL THE WAY IN THE PEW, SO THAT YOU  ARE NOT CLIMBING OVER EACH OTHER. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
• Face masks must be worn during Mass!
• The Missal-Hymn books have been removed.
• There will be no paper bulletins at this time; bulletins will be on the parish website.
• Bring all items with you that you will need: mask, prayer book, rosary, kleenex, hand sanitizer, etc. Everything you bring into the church must be taken out with you. Anything left behind will be removed.

• The Holy Water fonts will remain dry.

• The distribution of the Precious Blood to the laity continues to be suspended until further notice. Communicants have a right to receive on tongue if they so choose. If you choose to, then you must wait and come forward at the end of the line. Same with low-gluten. However, we are strongly encouraging receiving in the hand. The distribution of communion will temporarily be at the end of Mass. There will be two lines going up the side aisles returning down the center aisle. Social distancing rules to be followed.

Those who have health concerns and do not wish to receive sacramental Communion may make an Act of Spiritual Communion. Communion will only be distributed by the priests and deacons.

• Please be mindful when leaving Church of the 6 feet social distancing. Patience required!

• No gathering for social interaction is permittable inside the church or outside in the parking lot. (This will be a tough one for me- I love to see and chat with you.)

• Restrooms will be available; but we must seriously ask that you take care of matters before you arrive. Only one person is allowed in the restroom at a time. Floor tape will be in place outside the restroom doors for those waiting.

• Ministries: Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Mass Coordinators and Ushers will not be scheduled at this time. Until we know how to do things safely; this is for your safety and the safety of others.
• When we come to Church, our primary focus is being in the presence of Our Lord. The increased safety protocols are established for our own good; however, they cannot be a distraction from the purposes of prayer and worship.
• Finally, there will not be a formal collection, there will be a basket in the gathering area for your contributions. We thank you in advance for your support of our parish.

May God Bless You,

Fr. Jennings

Saturday 4:00pm Mass will continue to stream at  www.YouTube.com/DioceseOfWilm, from the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Wilmington. Bishop Malooly will preside.

Parish Office remains CLOSED. The phones are still being monitored 24/7. If you need to reach someone in the office please leave a message and we will get back with you as soon as possible. Please refer to the Parish website stlukeoc.com or the Diocesan website cdow.org for any updates. 

PRAYER Opportunity:

Join us by phone daily at 9:00 AM, to pray the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet as a community. Please, follow these simple steps:

     1. Dia:l  425 436-6363

2. Enter your access code:  642083

 A new webpage has been created on cdow.org: Resources in Times of Pandemic. (cdow.org/covid19resour...) It is a clearinghouse for resources for:

• Joining Masses On-line
• Prayer Resources
• Spiritual Formation
• Resources for Young Adults
• Resources for Young People
• Resources for Children
• Supporting Parents and Families
• Recursos en Español
• About COVID–19
• Best Practices
• Mental Health
• Resources for Pastoral Ministers