The guidelines that are given to us are:  “After receiving Jesus in your hand, step to the side, pull your mask down and place the Host gently in your mouth, making sure to consume any particles of the Eucharist that remain in your less dominant hand, as even the smallest particle is still Jesus. Then, simply replace your mask and return prayerfully to your seat...


 ... if you choose to receive on the tongue please adhere to the following: approach the priest (or deacon or Eucharistic Minister). Please allow time for the Host to be placed safely on your tongue, and for the one distributing to remove his hand, so as to avoid contact. After receiving, replace your mask and return prayerfully to your pew.”

Thank you all for your help in respecting one another and this most Holy of Sacraments.

Guidelines and FAQs for Mass being held during the pandemic may be found at diokzoo.org/public-return-to-mass. The dispensation from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass is granted until further notice.

Many Masses will continue to be live streamed, you may find a list of local live stream Mass times at diokzoo.org/live.

Take a sneak peak at the latest Fall 2020 edition of Southwest Michigan Catholic featuring Theresa McFall. Read about her heroic volunteerism at one of the nation’s COVID-19 hotspots.

Diocesan enewsletter

Masses and Confessions have resumes at their regularly scheduled times. 

Adoration is still suspended.

Weekly Contributions: Although we have resumed Mass, we know that many of you are still not able to join us. We appreciate you continuing your help to the parish in this time of need. You may mail your contributions to the Parish Office at 220 Church St., St. Joseph, MI  49085. You might also wish to consider On-Line Giving. Just click the button on the top right side of this page and follow the instructions. This is a safe and easy way to contribute to the parish.

All Youth Ministry and general parish activities on property have been canceled. However, we will continue to reach out through virtual meetings with activies, reflections and prayers for you and your family to continue on your faith journey.

The Parish Office is open and ready to help you. Please remember to wear a mask and limit the number of people entering the building.

Join Bishop Bradley every Sunday at 10 a.m. on the diocesan website: www.diokzoo.org; or on www.facebook.com/catholicdioceseofkalamazoo/. Thank you to all who watched with us!

The Bishops in Michigan released a letter to the faithful with regards to the COVID-19 vaccines. In it, they explain the moral questions that have arisen and give us hope to proceed in the fight against this pandemic in a way in keeping with our faith. The link is a long one, but all you need do is click on it to go directly to the letter. As you read their letter, let us all strive to carry out their hope for us all:

"Let us implore the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that God may bring an end to the pandemic and that all esteem and respect the dignity of human life."

Here it is:  http://www.micatholic.org/advocacy/board-bishops-statements/bishops-statements/michigan-bishops-share-moral-considerations-regarding-covid-19-vaccines/

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shortened the recommended length of quarantine after exposure to someone who is positive for COVID-19, as the virus rages across the nation. As the Washington Post notes<https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/cdc-quarantine-time-covid/2020/12/02/18159172-349e-11eb-b59c-adb7153d10c2_story.html>, though, the 14-day quarantine recommendation is still in effect in areas where adequate testing resources are not available. According to a senior administration official, the new guidelines, which were released this week, will allow people who have come in contact with someone infected with the virus to resume normal activity after 10 days, or 7 days if they receive a negative test result. That's down from the 14-day period recommended since the onset of the pandemic.

• In consultation with clergy and diocesan staff, Bishop Bradley has released Level 1.5 of the Parish Community Plan which includes a new addendum with guidelines for non-worship activities at the Parish.

• For all of the Diocesan information on the coronavirus, go to https://www.dioceseofkalamazoo.org/coronavirus

• Michigan Catholic Conference released a newsletter that urges us to demand an ethically made COVID-19 vaccine by contacting the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar. 

• A list of local live stream Masses and prayer times can be found at diokzoo.org/live.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo has set up a special "Emergency Response Fund" to gather donations which can be used in general support of any individual or family experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Catholic Charities has started collecting food and distributing it to families most in need of support during these trying times. Click here to help support Catholic Charities.

For the latest information, please go to https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus