Greetings!

With joy in my heart I am happy that St. Joseph is celebrating public Masses with procedures in place to help mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

If you are in an at-risk category because of age or pre-existing health conditions or if you are particularly uncomfortable returning to Mass, you are strongly encouraged to stay home and unite yourself to the Mass from home. Furthermore, anyone who is ill, has a temperature, cough, etc., should stay home as an act of justice to the whole community. Bishop Boyea lifted the obligation to attend Sunday Mass through Pentecost 2021.

But for others who do not find themselves particularly at risk, as we engage with businesses and friends and family, I am happy that we can come together in the worship of the Mass—indeed, in the Mass we worship our Triune God and Jesus nourishes us for the journey and struggle of our daily life, which is very essential.

We take various precautions for the well-being of the entire community:

• Seating with six feet of physical distance from people outside of your household
• Seating every other pew
• Pews and contact areas sanitized between Masses
• Hymnals and binders removed from the pews
• Masks expected at Mass—Please bring a mask or face covering [a few will be available]—this will especially help others feel comfortable if passing closer than six feet of physical distance
• No passing of collection baskets—Baskets will be available at the entrances, please consider giving online at https://www.stjosephypsilanti.com
• No sign of peace
• No distribution of the Precious Blood
• Hand sanitizer available in the church (consider bringing your own)
• Priest and deacon with masks for Holy Communion

These are difficult times. Please join me in praying for the health and well-being of our parish family, and for a hastening of the day when we can all join together at Holy Mass. God bless you.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Pieter van Rooyen