Our Parish During COVID-19 Pandemic & Parish Update - February 18, 2021

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, below you will find current information within the parish as well as changes that have been made in order to ensure that we comply with the directives from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and protect parishioners and the public, especially those most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The Stations of the Cross allow us to place our trust in Jesus Christ. “The Cross of Christ contains all the love of God; there we find his immeasurable mercy. This is a love in which we can place all our trust, in which we can believe…. let us entrust ourselves to Jesus, let us give ourselves over to him, because he never disappoints anyone! Only in Christ crucified and risen can we find salvation and redemption.” — Pope Francis Address, World Youth Day, Way of the Cross, July 26, 2013. 

The Stations of the Cross will be prayed on Mondays during Lent (en español) at 5:30PM followed by daily Mass (en español) at 6:00PM.  They will also be prayed on Fridays during Lent (in English) at 5:30PM followed by daily Mass (in English) at 6:00PM.

Friday Stations of the Cross Schedule:

Feb 19      ...of St. Alphonsus Liguori

Feb 26      ...to Defeat Addictions

Mar 5        ...for Victims of Suicide

Mar 12      ...Reflections on the Coronavirus Pandemic

Mar 19      ...based on the Seven Sorrows of St. Joseph

Mar 26      ...for All Souls and for a Happy Death

LENTEN SOUP
Lenten Soup Fridays will be scheduled during Lent, however due to the pandemic, it will be a “soup to go” offered after Mass on Fridays during Lent.  If you would like to prepare a homemade “Lenten” soup or want to help in the kitchen, please call Cathy Alvarado at (505) 470-6492 or send her an e-mail at cmalvarado@comcast.net.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PRAYER GARDEN

Click here to view a powerpoint presentation* prepared by Richard Martinez, Grand Knight, of the Knights of Columbus' efforts to build an area in the prayer garden dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Knights spent countless hours in the garden, located north of the Social Hall, to transform the area from a weed infested, impassible site to one of serene beauty where one can sit quietly, pray and reflect.  We invite you to visit the prayer garden to meditate, pray the rosary, the stations of the cross, or to just sit in a place of peace, quiet and comfort.  A heartfelt thank you to the Knights!
(*Depending on your internet connection speed, the presentation may take a bit longer than normal to open due to its file size.)

YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH: DECEMBER 8, 2020 - DECEMBER 8, 2021

In a new Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis describes Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows. The Letter marks the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To celebrate the anniversary, Pope Francis has proclaimed a special “Year of Saint Joseph,” beginning on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2020 and extending to the same feast in 2021. The Holy Father wrote Patris corde against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which, he says, has helped us see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day. In this, they resemble Saint Joseph, “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence,” who nonetheless played “an incomparable role in the history of salvation.” (Vatican News)

To commemorate the Year of St. Joseph, cards, with the image of St. Joseph, representing each of the parish families were printed and set on the pews.  We ask for the prayers and intercession of St. Joseph for each of our families especially during this pandemic. (Retablo image of St. Joseph painted by Charlie Carrillo, courtesy of Ray & Helen Quintana.)

“Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.”  - Pope Francis

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL

It's that time again...time for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Annual Catholic Appeal. The money is used by the ACA Foundation for Community Outreach-31.27%, Education and Evangelization-20.48%, Clergy Education and Support-21.63%, Pastoral Services-15.28%, Universal Church Collections-0.78% and ACA Administration-10.57%.

At each Mass on the weekend of January 9th and 10th, 2021, our parish asked for your ACA 2021 pledge. Our parish goal is $82,000.00. We are asking for a pledge of $250.00, or more, for the year from each of our parish families to meet this goal.  If all of our families commit, we will be in excellent shape.  KEEP IN MIND that if the parish does not meet its goal by the end of the year, the balance must be forwarded to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe from the parish General Fund. Any excess above our goal comes back to the parish in the form of a rebate. 

If you did not pick up a pledge card, more are available in the Gathering Space and at the Parish Office. Mail the pledge form in the envelope provided to the ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL FOUNDATION, The Catholic Center, 4000 Saint Joseph’s Place NW, Albuquerque, NM  87120-1700.  Click here for more information about the ACA or to donate online.

The Annual Catholic Appeal Foundation is NOT part of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Chapter 11 reorganization. ACA is separately incorporated and funding is not available for legal claims.

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 is distributed after the Sunday 11:30AM Mass (from 12:15PM to 12:45PM). The Most Holy Eucharist is 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 is 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 is 25% of capacity.

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.