Our Parish During COVID-19 Pandemic & Parish Update - November 23, 2020

We acknowledge and share the sadness many are feeling at not being able to worship and meet together as in the past. We prayerfully and confidently look forward to the day when we can all be together again. In the meantime the following changes have been made in order to ensure that we comply with the recent directives from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and protect parishioners and the public, especially those most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19.

Parish office hours until further notice: Monday through Thursday 9:00am to 2:00pm and CLOSED on Friday.

MASS

Santa Maria de la Paz continues to live-stream the Sunday 9:30AM Mass via twitter.  The Santo Nino Regional Catholic School Mass is also be live-streamed at 9:00AM on Wednesdays (when school is in session).  

Parishioners may access SMDLP's live-streaming  at twitter.com/SMDLPaz. (You may also click on the photo link to access our twitter page.) Please note: You DO NOT need a twitter account to view the live-stream.
 

'DRIVE-UP COMMUNION' 

"Drive-up" Communion will be distributed after the Sunday 11:30AM Mass (approximately 12:30PM). The Most Holy Eucharist will  be distributed on the EAST side of the church as you drive through the path-way near the EAST entrance.  Prior to receiving Communion watch a live-streamed or televised Mass and pray a heartfelt Act of Contrition. You MUST wear a mask. 

CONFESSION 

Fr. Joel is accepting appointments to hear confessions and is available on Monday and Tuesday.  You may call the parish office at 473-4200 for appointment times and to make an appointment for confession. 

OTHER SACRAMENTS

Due to Archdiocese directives, there are restrictions related to anointing of the sick, funerals, baptisms, and weddings during the pandemic.  Please call the parish office for more information.

CHURCH VISITS 

The church is open for individual prayer and visits during regular parish office hours. We encourage our parishioners and visitors to visit the Blessed Sacrament, pray, sit in silence, read the Bible or other devotional readings especially during this time when prayer is most needed. Visitors are asked to follow COVID-19 safe practices while in the church.

FIRST FRIDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Join us the first Friday of each month from 9:00AM to 12:00PM to share in this great devotion especially as we approach the season of Christmas and pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic.  We begin with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 9:00AM and end with Benediction at 12:00PM followed by daily Mass at 12:15PM.  Adoration will be live-streamed from 11:00AM to 12:00PM on twitter.com/SMDLPaz.

MASS IN CHURCH DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Santa Maria de la Paz will adhere to the Governor's current public health order and Archdiocese of Santa Fe guidelines regarding Mass during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Church is set-up for safe social distancing and protective measures and is properly sanitized after each Mass. The current occupancy limit for each Mass is 75.

Face Masks Required
Parishioners MUST wear a face mask prior to entering the church and during Mass.  If you are not wearing one you WILL NOT be allowed to enter.  This is for your protection and the safety of others.  We also ask that you DO NOT bring children less than three years old to Mass.

Communion
Communion is distributed at two stations in the back of the church at the end of Mass as parishioners prepare to exit. The host may only be received in the hand in order to decrease the possibility of cross-contamination. All communicants MUST be masked, receive the host in their hand, and step aside PRIOR to lifting the mask for consuming.

After Mass
Parishioners should depart immediately after Communion and avoid socializing in the Gathering Space and/or the parking lot.

Stay Home if Sick
If you are sick, feel uncomfortable attending a large gathering or have a compromised immune system PLEASE STAY HOME.  The dispensation from the Sunday obligation is still in effect. 

NOVEMBER FOOD DRIVE

Gratitude to God for the abundant blessings we enjoy is a natural prayer when we are grateful.  One way to show gratitude is to share with those less fortunate.  During the month of November, we will accept gifts of food for our Food Pantry so we can continue to help feed those in need.  We appreciate that you follow the list and do not bring outdated food.  Food items may be dropped off at the parish office during open hours.

We pack our boxes with the same items each time, which is why we ask for the items listed below:

• Pancake mix and syrup, regular size, not jumbo, please
• 2# bags of pinto beans and rice (not self-bagged, cannot accept) 
• Crackers, such as saltines, graham or Ritz, not specialty crackers)
• Pasta (spaghetti, mac and cheese, rigatoni, elbows, shells, etc.)    
• Pasta sauce, medium size cans or jars, please
• Peanut butter and jelly (regular size, not large size, please)
• Canned protein: Spam, Manwich, stew with meat, chili with beans, tuna, canned chicken
• Boxed cereal (not bagged)
• Canned soup, especially Chunky, fruit, green beans, corn, peas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pinto beans, beets or other vegetables

No cookies, chips, snacks of any kind, salad dressing, coffee, etc.
Thank you!

A PROMISE OF HOPE & HEALING UPDATE

We continue to see the generosity of our parishioners willing to assist our parish in this difficult time. Thank you to all those who have responded to our A Promise of Hope & Healing program. Four hundred-four  (31%) of the registered 1,303 families have responded so far with $140,692.00 pledged to date. For those who are still evaluating participation, please know every gift helps. Our goal is to have 100% participation whether it is by donation or prayer. It is not too late to pledge! Drop your envelope by the Parish Officeor mail it.  Thank you!