COVID-19 Updates and Resources for our Parish Community

For the most up-to-date and reliable information on the coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Understand the coronavirus situation is fluid and the diocesan staff will provide new guidelines whenever guidance from our local public health professionals necessitate.

Click here for the Diocese of Oakland response to the Coronavirus pandemic

5/30/2021: We're moving indoors for Sunday 8:30am Mass starting July 4, 2021!

No more social distancing is required, so all pews will be available to the congregation. Masks are only required for those who have not yet been fully vaccinated - with the exception of the priest and Ministers of Communion, who will continue to wear a mask during the distribution of Communion as required by the Diocese, regardless of their vaccination status.

The 10:30am Mass will remain outside at least through the month of July and into August. No masks need be worn by anyone except Eucharistic Ministers for the distribution of Holy Communion.

The 5pm Sunday Mass will start again on the first Sunday of October, when our Fall formation programs kick off. Resumption of the 5pm Saturday Mass will also be evaluated in the fall.

We are looking forward to starting this transition with you!

For more details on the Diocesan worship guidelines, please click here.

4/25/2021: PART II: When do we get to go back inside on Sundays?

In last week's bulletin, I outlined some of the county regulations and principles we have considered and discussed for the timing of our re-entry into the church for weekend Masses.

Based on all these factors, we have decided to begin an incremental return to the church beginning on Sunday, May 30. Starting that weekend (Memorial Day Weekend), the 8:30am Mass will resume in the church, and the 10:30am Mass will remain in the parking lot. The current plan (subject to change) is that we will continue this plan until sometime in September. Then, depending on county requirements and your comfort level, we will move the 10:30am Mass into the church as well.

While we do not expect attendance to increase during the summer months, if it does increase significantly, we will resume the 5pm Sunday Mass during the summer as well - otherwise, it will resume in late September when Confirmation classes resume. A decision about the resumption of the 5pm Saturday Mass will be made in the Fall as well.

All things considered, I think this is the most reasonable approach. It provides options, and is sensitive to everyone's safety and comfort level. All the county requirements relative to social distancing, the wearing of masks, etc. will remain in place for both church and parking lot Masses until no longer required.

This will, no doubt, require adjustment and patience as we transition, and there will probably be some 'hiccups' along the way - but with your patience and the Pastoral Team's continued hard work and creativity, we will make it work. After all, our track record so far is pretty good!

The pandemic has been a very difficult and challenging time for all of us, yet there have also been blessings along the way. Let us hope that the spirit of gratitude and service will continue.

Father George

4/18/2021: When do we get to go back inside on Sundays?

Some of you are wondering and are perhaps even anxious about when we can return to Sunday Masses in the Church - and others, not so much!

Many of you have commented on how much you enjoy Sunday Mass in the parking lot, and have expressed appreciation for all that we have done to facilitate worship in a safe, prayerful, and respectful way. Others have commented on how much they miss our beautiful church, the sacred space, and the sense of the holy that is facilitated by being surrounded by sacred objects, the stained glass windows, the pipe organ, the choir, etc.

To state the obvious: everyone has an opinion and a preference as well as reasons for them.

Up until very recently, we had few to no options as state and county mandates greatly restricted what we could and could not do. Much ink has been spilled on the reasonableness and equity of these restrictions and mandates, particularly as they relate to the First Amendment and the right to the free exercise of religion. I won't add to the ink spill - at least not here and now!

Some members of the Pastoral Team have been meeting and disscussing various options going forward. We have learned a lot. At least, for myself, some of my assumptions and presumptions have been proven to be either incorrect, or not as black and white as I had initially assumed. For example: increasing occupancy from 25% to 50% does not double the number of possible attendees; the social distancing requirements and the size of our church only marginally increase the number who can attend.

So, what are we to do? Well, we have come up with a plan! It will be fine-tuned this week after I have an opportunity to review the implications of the recent decisions of the State Attorney General in response to the Supreme Court decisions a few days ago, and see if any further recommendations come from the Chancery Office.

Stay tuned for next weeks' bulletin for THE plan.

And keep in mind the old adage: "We plan, and God laughs."

Father George

3/3/2021: Updates on moving back into the Church for Sunday Mass

Our Pastoral Team has been working on creating clear and objective criteria and procedures for making the decision to return to the church for Sunday Masses.

At this point it has been decided that we will at least remain outdoors until sometime after EAster. After Contra Costa County has moved into the Moderate (orange) risk tier and we are allowed 50% capacity in the church (~180 people), we will begin a gradual process to move into the church.

To make the transition as smooth as possible, we will begin by moving the 8:30am Mass indoors, and keep the 10:30am Mass in the Parking Lot. At a later date (either when attendance deems it necessary or our fall formation programs begin again, whichever is first) we will also add the 5:00pm Sunday Mass, either indoors or outdoors (yet to be determined). A decision on the Saturday evening Mass will also be determined as we move along in this process.

Again, this transition will not begin until sometime after Easter, and only when the County has moved to the Moderate (orange) tier, and after the logistical preparations have been made on our end (e.g., safety and practical requirements).

So stay tuned and know what we are working on this issue, and we will keep you apprised as the situation develops. It continues to be a joy to celebrate Mass each Sunday and we are grateful that we have the space, outdoor facilities, and volunteers to do so.
 

2/12/2021: Weekday Masses offered indoors; Sundays still outside

In light of the recent Supreme Court decision, we are now able to have weekday Masses inside the church again! (Given the number of people attending Parking Lot Mass, we will continue Sunday Masses outside until further notice.)

Beginning the Friday after Ash Wednesday, morning Masses will be celebrated in the church at 8:30am Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

All are welcome to celebrate with us (up to 90 persons). Key practices required when attending in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include:

• Physical distancing to the maximum extent possible, at no less than 6'. Some pews will be blocked off to facilitate social distancing.
• Use of face coverings over nose and mouth
• Frequent hand washing (hand sanitizer will be available in the narthex).

1/20/2021: Vaccine available, County still restricted

We just wanted to give you a quick update on our status. The virus is still widespread, so under our current restriction level, churches are still only able to operate outdoors. We continue to have Sunday Masses outdoors, but are still holding off on celebrating weekday Masses until the weather warms up.

Thank you for continuing to support and be present with us, either in your cars at Parking Lot Mass or online as we livestream and share Coffee Talks and the bulletin with you!

11/17/2020: Contra Costa County moves back to the Purple Tier

Unfortunately, due to the case rate in Contra Costa County, we have moved back to the Purple Tier until further notice.

This means that all worship must again take place outside. While this does NOT affect our regular Sunday Parking Lot Masses, it does mean that our weekday Masses have been cancelled until further notice.

Faith Formation will continue as planned on Zoom. Any on-site outdoor meetings (for example, for MSYG and Confirmation) will be decided closer to their actual date, as the status of our county may change by then.

10/8/2020: Contra Costa County moves to the Red Tier

Early this week, Contra Costa County issued a press release sharing information that more businesses and services can reopen due to progress in the fight against COVID-19. What does this mean for Santa Maria?

At the most basic level, we are grateful to be able to continue public worship.

For the time being, we will continue to worship outdoors with Parking Lot Masses on Sundays, and Daily Masses on the St. Francis Plaza in front of the Hall (Mon/Wed). Although we're allowed 100 people (or 25% of our maximum capacity, whichever is less) indoors for worship, we are keeping this as a backup option. We've been down the re-opening and re-closing road before, notice the spikes of cases in Europe, and don't want to keep switching back and forth between indoor and outdoor like a ping-pong ball!

Indoor worship would also require reservations to ensure we don't go over 100 people (including the ministry team); socially-distant seating areas for singles, couples, and families based on group size; sanitization between Masses; and other logistical challenges. We've decided it's better to continue to worship outdoors while the weather is decent and while we see how things develop.

We are so grateful for your patience, cooperation, enthusiasm, and generosity during this pandemic! Let's continue to stay healthy in body, mind, and spirit as we keep on keeping on!

8/9/2020: We're open for business!

Our office is now open from 10am to noon Mondays-Fridays! Stop by to request Mass Intentions, check in with the Pastoral Team, or just to say hi! Tony will be in on Mondays, Megan on Tuesdays, Deacon Jim on Wednesdays, Deacon Rey on Thursdays, and Sr. Magdalene and Sr. Mary Margaret on Fridays.

Masks are required for all those visiting our office, and only one parishioner/family will be allowed in the office at one time. Plexiglass has been installed between the guest and staff areas of the office; hand sanitizer is available for your use; and we regularly clean and sanitize our surfaces!

5/25/2020: Statement from Bishop Barber

Here is a statement from our Bishop about beginning Masses once again. Later this week there will be a communication from Father George about how we will move forward at Santa Maria.

4/8/2020: Remote Worship

We are working to continue to provide high-quality worship through the internet, using vehicles like YouTube and Facebook Live for pre-recorded or streamed liturgies. Please find the latest details and instructions for celebrating the Triduum, Easter Sunday, and continuing Sundays on the homepage here on our website, or sign up for Constant Contact emails to be the first to know when something is scheduled!

3/16/2020 5:00pm: Sheltering in Place

3/16/2020 11:00am: Daily Mass, Adoration, and Private Prayer

Daily Mass has been cancelled until further notice. Any Mass intentions scheduled during the cancellation will be rescheduled for a later date.

Instead of the 8am Morning Mass, we will offer a very brief Communion Service in the Church at 9am (note the time and location) Mondays through Saturdays for those of you who wish to continue to receive the Blessed Sacrament.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will also be moved into the Church, and will remain at its originally scheduled time of noon to 3pm.

In addition, the Church remains open daily between 8am and 5pm for private prayer. You are welcome to bring Scripture, your Rosary, your journal, or simply yourself any time the church is open.

3/14/2020: Update on K-12 Faith Formation Programs

Because the Orinda public schools have suspended classes due to the COVID-19 virus, all of our Faith Formation programs for K-12th grade at Santa Maria have been suspended at least until April 3.

If you are enrolled in Faith Formation, Middle School Youth Group, or High School Confirmation, please check your email for specific updates from Sr. Mary Margaret and Megan regarding your program.

3/13/2020: Update #2 on Parish Life

Due to the fluidity of the Coronavirus situation, more updates and changes have already taken place since yesterday's email and website announcements on parish life during the outbreak.

Here is the new information:

• Bishop Barber has dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass for all Catholics in the Diocese of Oakland until further notice, because of the heightened concern for the well-being of all our people
• Mass will continue to be celebrated for those who choose to attend. The decision to attend Mass or not is left to each individual's discretion.
• We encourage you to come to the church, which will remain open between 8am and 5pm, for private prayer, to read the Sunday Scriptures (which can be found at the USCCB website), and to pray for the victims of this virus and their speedy recovery, and an end to this outbreak

Below is a summary of yesterday's information:

• Faith Formation and Youth Ministry are still scheduled to go forward at this time, but we will take the lead from the public school district as to cancellation
• Stations of the Cross (3/25) and Lenten Reconciliation (3/26) are also still scheduled
• Our priests will continue to visit the sick and administer Anointing of the Sick to those seriously ill
• Alpha and Sunday Coffee and Doughnuts are cancelled until further notice, as are all social parish events

As always, please use your common sense:

• Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often
• Feel free to refrain from holding hands or shaking hands at Mass
• Stay home if you are sick or suffering from flu-like symptoms
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve by your elbow, not your hand or the air
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

Please keep in your prayers all those suffering from COVID-19, and we will continue to pray for those who are unable to or who choose not to gather for communal prayer at this time.

3/11/2020: Updates on Parish Events and Activities

Based on the recommendations from our Diocese, these are the events and activities that are currently scheduled to go forward:

• Weekend and weekday Masses (subject to the dispensation granted to those over age 60; see recommendations below)
• Faith Formation and Youth Ministry programs
• Stations of the Cross (Wednesday, March 25)
• Lenten Reconciliation Service (Thursday, March 26)
• Our priests will continue to visit the sick and administer Anointing of the Sick for the seriously ill

The following are cancelled and until further notice:

• Alpha
• Sunday Coffee and Doughnuts

• Those over age 60 are encouraged to isolate themselves in an abundance of caution so as not to be exposed to the coronavirus. Those who are ill should stay home. This means the obligation to attend Mass for those over age 60 and for the ill is dispensed.
• For Mass and any other continuing gatherings, we encourage you to maintain a "social distance" (more than one arm's length) as much as possible.

These guidelines will stay in place until further notice. We appreciate your flexibility and help in keeping all members of our wonderful parish healthy. As we receive more updates and recommendations, we will update you via email and on our website.

3/5/2020: Liturgy during cold and flu season

As we face the annual cold and flu season, complicated by concerns over the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), let's remember to understand and promote healthy practices while at church.

On our end, we have suspended the distribution of the Precious Blood at Mass. We also continue to provide hand sanitizer for all of our ministers and maintain clean, fresh holy water in our font.

For your part, please feel free to refrain from holding hands at the Our Father or shaking hands during the Sign of Peace if you fear infection. It is also a sign of consideration for others that if you are suffering from flu-like symptoms, you may remain at home, reading the appointed Sunday Scripture and offering your illness for a spiritual intention.

There are also the common-sense methods to help you stay healthy - if you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue (or, lacking a tissue, into your sleeve by your elbow); wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; get vaccinated; and stay home if you are ill.

If the issue becomes more serious and we are advised by the authorities to take further actions, we will reassess the matter and keep you informed of any changes. Meanwhile, we pray for the health and recovery of those who are ill and not with us in church.

Dear Parishioners,

We are in the midst of a very unsettling time. As I said in my homily this past Sunday, while it is essentially a health crisis, its tentacles and impact reach out and affect every aspect of our lives to include our faith lives.

The authors of the Scriptures must have observed the power that fear has over people, because variations of "do not be afraid" and "fear not" appear throughout the Scriptures. To Abraham and Moses: "Do not fear." To Mary at the Annunciation: "Fear not, Mary." The angel declared it to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Jesus said it to Mary Magdalene near the empty tomb on Easter morning.

While medicine and technology can offer us "temporary fixes," the only real "fix" is trust. Jesus tells us that "fear is useless." He tells his disciples not to fear persecution or threat - not because these things will not happen, but because, in spite of them, "I am with you always." Saint Paul tells us, "He who made the promise is worthy of the trust."

We here at Santa Maria are "with you" as well. I hope you will "trust" us to continue to provide the ministry of Christ and His Church as much and as well as we can. While much of what we usually do is not possible, there are still important things we can do, and are doing.

First, I want you to know that the most important is still happening. While public Masses are not possible, I join the Sisters in offering private Mass "Pro Popolo (for the people)," which is my most important obligation and privilege. Prayer is the most important thing we could ever do.

The staff and I are also working on additional ministries and services going forward. For example, Sunday worship resources will be shared with you, Confirmation classes are being hosted online, Pastoral Care Ministry is being continued by Sister Magdalene via telephone, and I am still responding to emergency sick calls. I encourage you to check our webpage frequently to stay connected and updated.

Praying every blessing upon you and yours, I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father George Mockel
Pastor
 

Daily Scripture readings from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops

Stations of the Cross from Word on Fire (Bishop Barron)

There are several entities providing Mass on the internet; check various parish websites regarding whether the Mass is livestreamed or available on demand:

• Sunday Mass: Catholic Extension Society
• EWTN

Prayer to St. Joseph composed by Father George

Liturgy During Coronavirus Outbreak Update #4 (3/14/2020)

Parishes in Contra Costa County required to restrict Mass attendance (3/14/2020)

Bishop Michael Barber dispensing obligation to attend Sunday Mass (3/13/2020)

Diocesan Guidelines Update March 11, 2020

Diocesan Guidelines Update March 5, 2020

Liturgy During this Cold and Flu Season (2/26/2020)

A Message from Bishop Michael Barber from Diocese of Oakland on Vimeo.