St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

"We exist to form a community of Spirit-filled, missionary disciples of Jesus"

Weekdays
• Tuesday - 6:00 pm Mass
• Wednesday - 8:00 am Mass
• Thursday - 8:00 am Mass
• Friday - 12:15 pm Mass
• Saturday - 8:00 am Mass

Sunday Liturgies
• Saturday Vigil - 5:00 pm Mass
• 9:00 am Mass (Live Streamed)
• 11:00 am Mass
• 5:00 pm Mass

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00a.m. until 4:30p.m., closed for lunch 12:00-1:00p.m.

Confession Times: Tuesdays from 6:30p.m.-7:30p.m. / Fridays from 11:00a.m.-11:45a.m. / Saturdays 3:30p.m.-4:30p.m.

Dear Parishioners,

We had mentioned, prior to Holy Week, about a plan for a phased re-opening of the parish. It has been slow coming as we’ve been consulting with the Diocese and health professionals about our proposed plan. A tricky aspect is that we have had to be flexible throughout the course of the last year, and we anticipate that same need, even as we look to slowly shift back to normal. For now, we would like to re-communicate what our current “Phase 1” is. Part of this reality is impacted by the lack of ushers that we currently have serving over the course of the weekend. While  other parishes have required sign-ups to attend, we do not currently have the staff/ushers to maintain that at all the weekend Masses. So, we would ask everyone at the parish to continue to observe the following: 

• Saturday evening Mass is for the vulnerable population- masks and distancing are required. 
• At the Sunday Masses, masks and distancing continue to be highly encouraged, although, as attendance increases, we recognize that we may not be able to maintain the every-other-pew set up.  
• Singing is permitted, although you’re certainly not “required” to sing at Mass. 
• For those who wish to receive communion on the tongue, you must come to the priest’s line for communion and, if possible, receive kneeling. I have a small station to purify my hands if any contact is made. 
• We will continue to not pass baskets for the collection, but the box near the sanctuary, along with the two smaller boxes in the Cross St. entrance and in the gathering space across from the elevator, will continue to be available.

Throughout the course of this time, it has required charity on all sides. We realize folks may fall to either   extreme here- we shouldn’t be doing anything in person, or we shouldn’t be wearing masks at all. As your pastor, I ask you to live in charity. This has obviously been a very challenging time, but our hope is in Jesus Christ, and Him risen from the dead! Participation at the Sunday liturgy is essential to our life as His disciples, and our top priority as a parish is ensuring the eternal salvation of the people here. The Lord makes clear, this salvation comes from eating His body and drinking His blood. Thank you for observing these recommendations so that we can come to worship Him, and receive a greater share in His resurrection life. 

In Christ,

Fr. Dan