Dear parishioners,

As you have heard, we are open for in-person attendance at church services effective this Sunday. So a few guidelines as we go forward.

Firstly, pre-registration continues to be required for attendance at all masses. This is because we still need to collect contact information in the event of an exposure at one of our celebrations, and because it is much better than having to sign people up as they arrive.

Secondly, because we have received such short notice, we will open up this coming Sunday, but only for the current schedule of masses, that is, Sundays at 11:15 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays at 9:00 a.m., and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:00 p.m. As we are able to schedule ushers in sufficient numbers, we will open up other masses. In fact, I’m quite sure that on the following weekend, June 5/6, in addition to the two Sunday masses that we currently offer, we will be able to open up the 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and the 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. If we have been able to assign ushers, these masses will be posted on the pre-registration page.

We will continue to offer drive-through communion after the 11:15 and 3:00 p.m. masses on Sunday, and at the 7:00 p.m. masses on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. This is for the benefit of those who might not be comfortable going into the church, but who wish to receive communion. If demand for this service plummets, we will discontinue it.

We will also continue to provide live streaming according to the present schedule of live streamed masses. Again, if viewership declines drastically because people are able to come to mass, we will continue this service, but according to a scaled-down schedule.

We are re-introducing confessions, for half-an-hour prior to all Sunday masses that are available, and after the same masses, as needed. On weekdays, we will offer confessions after each weekday mass as needed. It won’t be necessary to pre-register for confession. Just arrive anytime within the half-hour prior to the mass for which you have pre-registered.

I conclude with an unpleasant reminder that we are still in pandemic mode. The variants that are now circulating are more highly infectious, and brutal in terms of their effects. And so I must ask again that till further notice, you please not come to church

  • if you are elderly
  • if you have a chronic medical condition of any kind
  • if you have Covid-like symptoms: fever, persistent cough, shortness of breath, loss of sense of taste and/or smell,…
  • if you have been anywhere outside of the Lower Mainland in the last 14 days
  • if you live with someone who meets one of the above descriptions.

Precisely because we are opening up while the virus is still circulating, we need to be as vigilant as ever.

I think this is all I needed to share at this time. More in the usual Sunday pastor’s corner.

See you, perhaps, at an upcoming mass, maybe! God bless you and keep you all safe. 

Fr. Guy