Liturgy Update

Dear Parish Family

As we move towards a period of normalcy in our church, we recognize the blessing of our OLQU family in this time of COVID. We thank everyone for their patience and diligence in keeping everyone safe during these unusual times.

Beginning this weekend, June 6, ropes will be removed from the pews on St. Mary’s side. This is to accommodate those who feel comfortable sitting close to others after this period of COVID vaccinations. On St. Joseph’s side, ropes will remain up to insure 6 feet of separation between families. Those who are uncomfortable going into the church may still participate in Joy Hall.

In the next two to three weeks, we will move the Saturday 5 PM and Sunday 8 AM Mass into the church if COVID cases continue to drop. Joy Hall and St. Joseph’s chapel will still be reserved as our overflow area and will accommodate those not comfortable in the church.

We continue to ask all parishioners to wear their masks and to keep a respectable distance. This, again, is to ensure the safety of others while in the OLQU parish building.

Sincerely Yours, 

OLQU Office

Volume 18, Number 5

May, 2021

First Communion, April 25

Confirmation

Confirmation was on Saturday, May 1, at 10 AM. Bishop Raica, visiting our Parish for the first time, presided.

Crowning of Mary, May 2

Religious Education Closing Ceremony, May 2

Perfect Attendance Awards!

Have a Great Summer!

Sunday Obligation Returns

Bishop Raica has decided to end the dispensation from attending Sunday Mass as of Monday, May 24, the Monday after Pentecost Sunday. You can read the text of his letter at this link. While the Bishop says that failure to attend Mass is a grave sin, he also gives a list of reasons for which one might be excused from the obligation.

Fr. Charley has decided that we will continue mask wearing and social distancing in the building. We have space in our worship areas to continue social distancing when those who haven’t been attending Mass return: if you come to the 10 AM Sunday Mass, you may sit in the church or in Joy Hall, or if you come to the 5 PM Saturday or the 8 AM Sunday Masses, you can sit in Joy Hall or St. Joseph’s Chapel (the old Parish Hall). There is also the possibility of sitting outdoors in the Pavilion for either Sunday Mass—we have a TV out there, too.

If you have any questions when you arrive about how things work with seating or Communion, or anything else that’s unfamiliar, the ushers will be happy to help.

May Crowning

On Sunday, May 2, at the 10 AM Mass, the May Crowning will take place. All children are invited to participate! Children should meet at 9:30 in the gathering area.

Confirmation on May 1

Bishop Stephen Raica will celebrate Confirmation in our Parish for the first time on Saturday, May 1, at 10 AM. Six members of the Confirmation Class will be confirmed. All are welcome to attend as we continue to pray for our candidates.

Youth Group Cookout

All 7th – 12th grade students are invited this Sunday, April 25 to the Youth Group Cookout in the Pavilion from 5 – 7 PM. This will be a great opportunity to socialize with friends and make new friends as well. Hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks, and chips will be served. We will have Kickball and other games to enjoy, so please wear closed-toe shoes. Also, youth from St. Joseph's and St. Mary's are invited to join in the festivities. So let's welcome them to our Parish.

TQM 18-4

Volume 18, Number 4

April, 2021

Holy Week and Easter

Although we still aren't back to "normal," Holy Week last year was all by video. This year, we've been worshiping together in the building—using two other rooms in addition to our Sanctuary in order to maintain social distancing and to give our sanitizing crews a chance to keep our rooms safe. We did get to have Holy Thursday, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday in the Sanctuary, but Good Friday was in Joy Hall, and Stations of the Cross on Good Friday was outdoors.

In spite of the large amount of work required to decorate all of our worship spaces and areas where we congregate, our Art and Environment Ministry was up to the task.

Click on any of the three photos below to see more photos.

Easter Vigil



Holy Week Art



Outdoor Stations



Our 2021 Pastoral Council

Our 2021 Pastoral Council consists of three new members, Helen Carr, Sharon Wiegmann, and Jason Duckworth; three members entering their second year, Claudia McClure, and Damian Hochmuth, and Alea Ryan; and three members who have agreed to extend their three-year term by a year, Rumaasha Maasha, Pam Mefford, and Mike Smith. Andrea Wheeler is the new Alternate. The Council would like to thank three 2020 members, Anita Larose, Carla Holder, and Rosemarie Phillips, and two alternates, Carol League and Tammy Runkle, who have finished their terms, for their service.

Rumaasha Masha will continue as Chair of the Council, Claudia McClure is the Vice Chair for a second year, and Damian Hochmuth is the new Secretary, succeeding Carla Holder.

The Council, a body which advises the Pastor on matters concerning the Parish and helps him carry out his pastoral ministry in the Parish, spent 2020 helping Fr. Charley, the Parish staff, and the ministries deal with the effects of the pandemic on the workings of the Parish, as well as conveying to Fr. Charley the needs and ideas of members of the Parish. During 2021, the Council plans to complete new strategic and security plans for the Parish, and generally, as time passes, to help Fr. Charley help the Parish get back to full function.

St. Joseph's Chapel

The old Parish Hall is now St. Joseph's Chapel! Daily Mass has been said in this room since last fall when it became too cold to hold it in the Pavilion, but Fr. Charley decided to make it a permanent worship space and named it in honor of St. Joseph, in the Year of St. Joseph. It also will continue to be overflow space for Masses in Joy Hall. The Art and Environment and Sacristan Ministries have contributed to making the room a suitable worship space.

Because of the designation of this room as a worship area, groups which had previously been meeting there will need to work with Mark Blackburn to find another spot. Other rooms in the old part of the building are being converted into meeting space, so everyone should be able to be accommodated.

Youth Gathering, March 26

On March 26, Youth Ministry will host a “Youth Gathering Night” for all 6th graders through 12th. We will have games, activities, and snacks. We start at 6:30 pm directly after the Stations of the Cross at 6 pm.

Parents, Father Charley will also expose the Eucharist at 6:30 for all adults while your youth discover the importance of Lent in their lives.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach me at mark@olqu.org.