Public Masses to Resume at Lourdes

May 24, 2020
+ The Ascension of the Lord
Dear Friends in Christ,
I write to you on the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord which communicates to all Christians the promise of the Holy Spirit and our life’s goal – to be raised with Christ for all eternity. I write to you on Sunday, the Lord’s Day, which is central to our life of faith and a sublime setting for the celebration of the Eucharist, which remains the source and summit of our Catholic faith. 

In this time of ongoing challenges posed by the global pandemic, I remain hopeful that the God of restoration, who remains united with us in our trials, will by His grace renew the Church and heal our wounded human family. Below, I outline details of the resumption of public Masses at Our Lady of Lourdes.

I am indeed heartened that the bishops of Minnesota and other religious leaders reached an agreement with Governor Walz for the resumption of public religious services, according to clear guidelines consistent with public health. The date that Masses may resume is May 27th. Lourdes will resume our public Masses beginning on the Vigil of Pentecost, May 30. Further details are outlined below. As you know, the bishops of Minnesota originally took this step apart from the Governor Walz’ previous order which had not extended the permission to churches to hold gatherings beyond 10 people. I am heartened that fruitful dialogue led to a sensible agreement which more prudently balances multiple interests. I was in full support of the decision of Archbishop Hebda and the bishops of Minnesota to open up churches. I indicated my support to Archbishop Hebda after the letter of the bishops was released and had been in contact with the Archbishop prior to the announcement to reopen, wherein I indicated that in my opinion, the bishops of Minnesota were on solid legal and ethical grounds to reopen churches.

The dialogue that occurred over the last couple of days allowed Church leaders to explain the significance of the Eucharist to our life of faith and allowed government officials to express their concerns regarding public health vis-à-vis the resumption of church services. Notwithstanding the complexities of policy making in the rapidly shifting landscape of COVID-19, I hope an important lesson has been learned that open dialogue among multiple stakeholders - seeking first to understand - leads to better and more balanced policy. I will further explain my thoughts on this matter in a recorded teaching on religious freedom and its application to the current situation in Minnesota. This video message will be disseminated via our parish communications platforms and Constant Contact later this week.

Now to the decision to open public Masses at Our Lady of Lourdes. I made this decision after careful thought, prayer and consultation with parish trustees, the Lourdes Leadership Team (LLT) and key staff. I have also assembled a Liturgy Logistics Group (LLG) that is working hard to finalize the protocols and reopening plan at Lourdes. Final protocols and guidelines will be mailed to parishioners this week and made available on our website and in this week’s Constant Contact. I thank all of the members of the working group and especially Sarah Trask who is retired from corporate operations. Sarah’s high-level logistical talents have been heavily relied upon, as you will see in the mailing. For example, Sarah and other members of the group arrived at the conclusion days ago, consistent with state officials, that no more than 1/4 seating capacity could safely accompany social distancing. This is another example of the talent of our parishioners allowing Lourdes to punch above its fighting weight - I remain grateful for this!

Here is what I can share with you today: we will begin with a three Mass weekend schedule that will include Mass at 5 p.m. on Saturday in the courtyard, and 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday Mass in
church. The 10 a.m. Mass will continue to be livestreamed. All Masses will have a maximum of 50 worshippers, whether inside the church or outside in the courtyard.

Those who wish to attend a weekend Mass must register by way of a form on the parish website: Lourdesmpls.org. You will be asked to select a Mass time and indicate the size of your group. There is also a dedicated phone number available (763-645-4146) and staff will enter the information on the form for you. The online form is the preferred method of registration. We will begin accepting reservations for the weekend Pentecost Masses 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 26th. The Mass form will be prominently displayed on the Lourdes homepage as well as through links in future communications. Please note that the phone will be regularly checked for messages regarding Mass attendance during business hours from 9 – 4:30, Tuesday – Thursday. If there is significant demand from parishioners to attend Mass and these Masses fill up quickly, we will consider adding a 4th weekend Mass which will be celebrated outside, weather depending, at 11:30. This would be the only Mass celebrated without accompanying music. In the event of excessive heat, wind or rain, the courtyard Masses will be moved to the church. Notice will be sent via parish communications and signage on the parish campus. Beginning Wednesday June 3, we will resume daily Mass at 12:05 p.m. Beginning June 8 and throughout the summer months, we will move to a Monday rosary at 12:05 p.m. in church and daily Mass, Tuesday – Friday at 12:05 p.m.

Please note, that while we are allowed to open at 1/4 seating capacity, 50 worshippers representsa number below 1/4 capacity at Lourdes. We made this decision out of an abundance of caution
and to better facilitate Mass consistent with social distancing and the flow of worshippers that is organized and safe. Please also note that Archbishop Hebda has continued the suspension of the Sunday obligation and thus anyone who does not feel comfortable attending Mass, for whatever reason, should feel serenely free to not attend. Those who are 65 and older, those who are sick and those who have underlying health conditions are strongly encouraged to not attend Mass. Those parishioners who choose to not attend Mass on the weekend are always welcome to attend one of our daily Masses or to view our livestreamed Mass which continues to be broadcast with high quality. As Catholics, we approach freedom not as libertarians, but as people of faith who balance our freedom of worship with our solidarity with fellow worshippers as well as the wellbeing and public health of the broader community. Thus, as you will see below, masks are strongly encouraged to be worn by worshippers at all public Masses at Lourdes.

In addition, below I highlight a number of other principles and guidelines that we will employ at Lourdes to thread the needle between providing Mass for Catholics who wish to attend and
support of public safety and the common good that is required of our faith and citizenship. If you have any questions or concerns you are welcome to contact me at: dfgriffith@ourladyoflourdesmn.com.

I will host a Zoom call for parishioners this Thursday from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.. This will give parishioners a chance to ask questions or raise any concerns you may have. Information on how to access the call will be sent out later this week via Constant Contact.

Lastly, I ask for your patience as we resume public Masses at Lourdes. The first weekend will indicate what adjustments may need to be made to better facilitate and celebrate future Masses
consistent with social distancing and public health. It will take everyone’s commitment to follow the guidelines or ability to adjust if the Archdiocese or public health concerns warrant a shift.

Please join me in praying for the safe resumption of public church services at Lourdes and throughout the state, as well as for the well-being of our community and all those affected by this global pandemic. May Mary our Mother and Consoler pray for us in our time of need and may Jesus the Divine Physician bring healing and wholeness to all.
United in Christ,
Rev. Daniel Griffith, Pastor

• Social Distancing Strictly Observed – Only Exception is Regard to Families Sitting Together
• Out of Respect for Your Fellow Catholics and in Furtherance of Public Health, Worshippers are Strongly Encouraged to Wear Masks at All Public Masses at Lourdes
• Those 65 and Older and/or Those with Underlying Health Conditions are Strongly Encouraged to View the Lourdes Livestreamed Mass Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
• Limit Seating Capacity to 50 Worshippers at All Masses, in Church and in Courtyard
• Congregational Singing Will be Suspended Throughout the Summer
• Communion will be Distributed After Mass Concludes
• Communion Distributed Only on the Hand of Fully Outstretched Arms – No Distribution of Communion on the Tongue Will Take Place at Lourdes at the Present Time
• 1-2 Outdoor Weekend Masses to Further Mitigate Risk – Additional Mass Based on Demand
• Hands of Worshippers, Presiders and Those Assisting Mass will be Self-Sanitized Upon Entering and Before Exiting Church
• Pews and Church Robustly Sanitized Between Masses and After Masses
• The Lower Level of the Church and Bathrooms will be Locked and Unavailable to Worshippers
• All Holy Water Fonts will Remain Empty Throughout the Summer, Except for Baptisms