St. Stephen Catholic Church

                                                                                                          
Dear Parishioners of St. Stephen’s,
 
“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for woe so as to give you a future of hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
 
During this continued time of uncertainty we give our eyes and our hearts fixed firstly on our Risen Lord who gives us a future of hope even in the midst of darkness and illness. And this hope finds its most perfect experience in the sacrifice of the mass. I know that we have all missed the opportunity to gather publically to join in the celebration of the Sacrifice of the Mass, but prudence has dictated that we not do so yet. Bishop Stika has, however, recently issued a new decree for the diocese that allows us to resume public masses on the weekend of May 30-31. But we are aware that when we do return we will be experiencing the mass in a new manner. This letter is attempting to summarize some of the new changes required by the Bishop’s decree and decided on by St. Stephen’s parish. 
 
Am I obligated to attend mass at this time? NO. Please keep in mind as you read this letter that until further notice Bishop Stika has dispensed (removed) the obligation to attend Mass and therefore, those who are vulnerable or just not comfortable going to a public Mass should continue to participate in the many livestream Masses offered by St. Stephen’s and the surrounding parishes. You are encouraged to continue to make an act of “spiritual communion.”
 
Church services are a High-Risk event at this time. You should consult the Bishop’s Decree, the information from the State health office, and the CDC recommendations when deciding if you should resume coming to Mass.  If you have traveled outside of the country, currently have or have recently had a fever, or been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please do not attend Mass at this time. Per CDC guidelines if you are over 65, have underlying health conditions, or are the primary care taker for someone in the high risk category the recommendations are you not attend at this time.
 
The weekend Public Mass schedule is currently remaining the same, though we are looking at the mass times and crowds to see how we can best meet the needs of the parish. Our streaming Mass is, however, moving to 9:45 am on Sundays. We at St. Stephen’s will resume weekday masses starting on Monday June 8^th. All Masses will be held in the main Church.
 
New Procedure Highlights: (subject to change)
< >All parishioners must wear a mask. Please bring your own mask, if you forget yours the parish does have a small number of masks it can loan out (all used masks will be washed between uses).  Please put on your mask prior to leaving your car. Under the new guidelines and restrictions seating is greatly reduced. Please take this into consideration when planning on what mass to attend and make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early. We are limiting the entrance into the Church to two doors: one of the main doors (the one farthest from the bookshop under the stain glass window dedicated to the Father) and the door under the covered entrance. This will allow us to set up extra chairs in the entrance area. Once capacity is reached the doors are to be locked (you can still leave) and no new parishioners will be allowed in the Church. We are looking at ways to address over flow crowds if that occurs. Per Bishop Stika’s instruction: “Individual parishioner singing is discouraged as it is thought to be an activity that expels significantly more aerolized droplets of the virus.” Thus, there will be no congregational singing. We will have an organist and cantor. Collection baskets will be placed near the steps at the altar and by the baptismal font in the back of the Church. Please place any contributions directly in the basket, as there will not a collection at the normal time. We also encourage you to look into donating through Faithdirect if you have not already done so. Please do not hold hands during the Our Father. For the time being we will be omitting the Sign of Peace. For Holy Communion: Per Bishop Stika’s decree: Reception of the Host on the tongue is strictly prohibited at this time, and the distribution of the Chalice is suspended. If you do not feel like you can receive Holy Communion on the Hand you are encouraged to make a Spiritual Act of Communion. Ushers will dismiss by row. Once you leave your pew please remain in a single file line maintaining six feet of distance between households. Just before you reach the minister you will sanitize your hands at the station provided. You will receive Holy Communion in your hand, and after responding “Amen” you will step to the side, lift your mask, and consume the Host before returning to your seat. When mass is completed we ask that you dismiss while maintaining social distance and head straight to your cars.  Please do not congregate near the exits. The Priest and Deacon will not be available immediately before or after mass, in order to ease the entrance and exit of parishioners.  
We at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church thank you for your continued support of the parish during this unusual time. Your prayers and contributions have enabled us to continue to help our parishioners and community during this time of need. We also want to thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we implement these changes so as to best protect the health and safety of our parish family. These procedures may need to be amended as time goes forward and as experience informs us. Please continue to pray for the Parish as we continue to pray for you.
 
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Manuel Perez and Fr. Christopher Manning 

During your travels on earth, God Worked His miraculous healing through your intercession, Many were cured of the plaguefrom your prayers and the sign of the cross.  We implore you Saint Rocco to intercede before the throne of God; Send forth a blessing of
protection from Contagious diseases and the Coronavirus.  Bless us Heavenly Father
with your healing grace.  We ask this in the name of your Divine Son, Jesus.
Amen

O Great St. Rocco, deliver us, we beseech thee, from the scourges of God; through thy Intercessory, preserve our bodies from contagious diseases, and our souls from the contagion of sin.  Obtain for us, salubrious air; but, above all, purity of heart.  Assist us to make good use of health, to bear suffering with patience; and, after thy example, to live in the practice of penance and charity, that we may one day enjoy the happiness which thou has merited by thy virtues.  St. Rocco, pray for us (say three time)

DUE TO THE COVID-19 ALL MASSES & EVENTS AT ST. STEPHEN CATHOLIC CHURCH HAVE BE CANCELLED.  WE ARE PRAYING FOR EVERYONE AT THIS TIME.  PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAKE TIME OUT EACH DAY AND PRAY AT 8:30 A.M., 3:00 P.M. AND DINNER TIME FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS PANDEMIC.

Watch Mass via Live stream on facebook

Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Mon.-Fri. at 8:05 a.m. and noon; Saturday at 5 p.m.; Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (en español) Go down to the Diocese of Knoxville on the right side of this page.

All Saints Church, Knoxville
Mon.-Fri. at 9 a.m.; Saturday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. (en español); Sunday at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Our Lady of Fatima Church, Alcoa
Sunday at 11 a.m.

St. Francis of Assisi Church, Fairfield Glade
Tues.-Fri. at 8 a.m.; Sunday at 10 a.m.; Stations of the Cross, Friday at 5 p.m.

Daily Scripture readings

Friends,
In recent weeks, the coronavirus outbreak has had a profound impact on our country all around the world - and , increadingly, here is the UInited States.  In light of measures taken to contain the outbreak and avoid further illness, many of us may be hesitant to leave our homes.  In many areas, Mass and other church services may not be availalble.  It is at this exact moment that our faith is most needed.  In an effort to continue the practice of our faith in these trying times, I would like to invite you to join us online  for daily Mass.  Beginning today, Tuesday, March 17, Word of Fire will be offering daily Mass for the foreseeable future.  Join me, or Word on Fire CEO, Fr. Steve Grunow, right here https://www.worldonfire.org/daily-mass.   If you cannot attend Mass join us online, I encourage you to read the Gospels, pray with your families, and join yourself to the Eucharist - the source and summit of our Catholic faith - by making an act of spiritual communion like the one recommended by Archbishop Gomez:  "I wish, my Lord, to receive you with the purity, humility, and devotion with which your most holy Mother received you, with the spirit and fervor of the saints."  And please continue to pray for all those affected by the coronavirus.  Peace, +Robert Barron

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