Regarding coronavirus

Regarding COVID-19 / the current novel coronavirus and Padre Serra Parish

​Dear Padre Serra Parishioners,
Many of you have sent me emails regarding COVID-19, the current coronavirus.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention currently evaluates the risk of people living in the United States, at this time (5:30 pm on 3/6/20), as being low. That might change, but we’ll do best if we evaluate the risks calmly and act in reasonable ways.
I would like to make the following suggestions:

1. First, if at any time you feel ill, please remain at home. Do not come to church, work, or sports or send your children to school. To be clear, do not come to Mass while sick. Stay home, watch Mass on TV, and recover before returning.
2. Wash your hands, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds of vigorous washing and avoid touching your face.

For us here at Mass:

1. We will temporarily suspend the reception of Communion from the chalice. We will return to our normal practice as soon as it is deemed reasonably safe.
2. I ask that all those who receive Holy Communion on the tongue, to temporarily receive in the hand. If the minister’s hand touches anyone’s tongue or lips, that minister has to immediately step away from distributing communion any further.
3. Instead of holding hands at the Our Father, let’s simply hold our hands up in a prayerful position.
4. At the sign of peace, let’s offer each other, along with the prayer for peace, the warmest smiles, and the kindliest, respectful bows.
5. After Mass, for the time being, I’ll still be outside to greet you, but no hugs or handshakes.

All this is temporary. In the meantime, shall we not pray for the sick, the deceased, and the wonderful people who day-after-day work in the medical field for our well-being?

Siempre adelante!
Fr. Patrick

Padre Serra/COVID-19 Updates