In response to information from the CDC, the Minnesota Department of Health, with permission of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and in consultation with St. Thomas the Apostle staff and parish leadership, the following decisions have been made effective 17 March 2020:
Weekend public Masses will be suspended until further notice.
Arrangements are being made for an online video Mass from St. Thomas the Apostle. Stay tuned for details. To celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please make an appointment with Fr. Michael.
A Message from our Pastor
Our experience with the Coronavirus is testing us in ways most of us never imagined. The ground is shifting rapidly beneath our feet. What seems obvious today was unthinkable just a few days ago. Because of that, this is a time for all of us to be gentle with one another, looking out for one another, and supporting one another, especially those who are most vulnerable.
In recent days, I’ve been heartened to see many parishioners step forward, offering to help with things like grocery shopping or other errands for those who are homebound. Our parishioners who serve meals at Simpson Shelter and Catholic Charities are thinking creatively about how we can continue to meet the needs of those we serve while keeping them and ourselves safe. In the process, they’re hoping to support local restaurants from whom we might purchase meals to-go that we can serve to those in need.
Our faith formation staff are seeking creative ways to provide resources to families so they can continue to form our children in the faith even while we’re unable to gather at Saint Thomas.
The teachers and administrators in our Carondelet Catholic School are boldly stepping into uncharted territory – seeking to teach our youngest children while they remain at home.
Perhaps most difficult has been our decision to suspend the celebration of public Masses on weekends at Saint Thomas the Apostle.
In light of all we know from the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health, it would be irresponsible of us to gather large numbers of people in our church to celebrate the Eucharist. Because of that, we’ve made the very difficult decision to suspend public Masses beginning this weekend.
Like with the other examples cited above, however, we are finding ways to keep our community united in prayer. Beginning this Saturday, we will provide online video of our weekend Mass. We hope you will tune it at your regular time (or another time that suits you). Sit down as a family, visit our website and enter into the prayer of this faithful community.
We are blessed with several parishioners who have skills in video production and online communication. Thanks to their help, we hope to continue to offer this service as long as it is needed. Please recognize that this is a work-in-progress; it’s new for all of us, so this first weekend might not be perfect, but we will be there. You can expect to receive more details in the coming days.
Although we may not be coming together physically at church, we are finding new ways to be church for one another – to serve as Christ would serve – and do our utmost to make sure that no one is forgotten or left behind during this time.
All other parish events are suspended until further notice, including the following:
Sunday Lenten Vespers
Sunday Lenten Film Series
Sunday Liturgy of the Word with Children
Sunday Seeds
Wednesday Morning Adult Faith Formation
Wednesday Evening Faith Formation (meal, prayer, breakout sessions all suspended)
Children’s Choir
Parish Adult Choir
Friday Stations of the Cross and Soup Suppers
April 3 Reconciliation Service and Soup Supper
One Book, One Parish Discussion Sessions (scheduled for March 20-22)
Simpson Housing Services Panel Discussion (scheduled for Friday, March 20)
All STA Youth Group activities
Grief Support Series meetings
Sacramental Preparation Sessions for First Eucharist and Confirmation
Men’s Basketball and Volleyball groups
Knitting Ministry
More Important Information:
If you are aware of a parishioner who needs special care or attention, please let us know. We also know that not all of our parishioners are online with either email or internet. If you know of someone who might not be receiving this information, please share it with them.
Check Back for Updates
This situation is very fluid – things are changing on a daily basis. Please check the website often and watch for e-mail communications from the parish which will likely come with greater frequency.
