Next year the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will celebrate the two centuries of faith since its establishment as a diocese in June of 1821. In anticipation of the bicentennial celebration, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr has written the following pastoral letter to encourage each of us to “Radiate Christ” by rediscovering “the joy of knowing Christ deeply and following Him, thereby becoming a witness to the world.” Please prayerfully read the letter and engage with its contents. It is Archbishop Schnurr’s hope that all Catholics of the archdiocese will reflect upon and discuss how we can individually and collectively Radiate Christ as we prepare to joyfully celebrate our bicentennial.

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Guidelines for the Resumption of Public Worship

Mass Attendance

Archbishop Schnurr has granted us permission to resume the celebration of public Masses. However, the dispensation from the obligation to attend is still in effect, so no one is required to attend Mass. See more on our parish blog sccrparish.blogspot.com, which we will continue to update.

Our first public Mass will be at St. Peter’s on Monday, May 25th, for Memorial Day only at 9:00 AM. (Daily Masses will continue the same time at 8:30 AM beginning on Tuesday, May 26th.)

New health procedures will be required and re-evaluated weekly depending on the COVID19 situation in the State of Ohio. If you would like to attend Mass, please read through this message. Thank you for your patience and compliance.

Capacity & Seat Reservation

For now, Mass capacity will be limited to achieve 6-foot social distancing.

In order to accommodate this limited seating, parishioners must reserve their seats with the parish office (by phone, email, or returning the “Reservation Form” via mail or dropping it off in the mail slot). We hope to have on-line reservation available soon.

Seat reservations for May 25th and going forward are now being taken. Reservations for each weekend will open each Monday at 10:00 AM and end on Thursday at 4:00 PM or when we meet our seating capacity. Please, call the parish office or turn in your Reservation Form. The Weekend Mass times have temporarily changed:

SATURDAY: 4:00 PM at St. Mary’s 5:00 PM at St. Peter’s SUNDAY: 8:30 AM at St. Peter’s 10:45 AM at St. Mary’s

Before You Arrive

• Please wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with warm, soapy water before leaving from home.

• Bring your own hand sanitizer or wipes that can be used before receiving Holy Communion.

• Do not bring items that contain bleach into the church as this will damage the pews and chairs.

• Please be aware that the bathroom access may be limited. (Please make sure that children use the bathroom before leaving home.)

  Arrival Procedures

• Masks (for all ages except for very young children) should be worn as soon as you exit your vehicle. In case you do not have a mask, the parish will provide you with one. (Take it home, wash it, and return wearing it at the next Mass you attend.) If you bring children, please be sure that they remain next to you at all times.

• Arrive 15 minutes before Mass begins to stand in line and await an Usher to seat you. (The main doors of the church will open 15 minutes prior to the start of Mass. Please bring an umbrella with you in case of rain).

• An usher will direct you to your seat. The church will be seated to fill the open pews/chairs from front to back.

• You may be sharing a pew with another household, but social distance is required between the households (minimum 6 feet).

• The holy water fonts remain empty. Restrooms might be closed. No water fountain will be available. Mass Procedures

• There will be no altar servers.

• Communion will be distributed by clergy.

• Please keep your face mask on for the duration of Mass.

• Detailed Communion instructions will be given.

• The Sign of Peace will be omitted. Please do not attempt to hold hands during the Lord’s Prayer.

• Baskets will not be passed during the offertory. You will be able to place your weekly gift in a basket near

  the entrance of church. Ushers can direct you where to place your collection envelope on the way out. It may be easier to drop your offering off at the mail slots provided at the office door (St. Mary’s), undercroft door (St. Peter’s) during the week or mail in.

  Communion Procedures

• More detailed instructions will be given at Mass.

• The Archbishop is encouraging the reception of Communion in the hand (temporarily during the Pandemic).

• The Precious Blood will not be offered to the congregation.

• Use of personal hand sanitizer before Communion is strongly encouraged. Please bring your own.

• There will be a single Communion line in the center aisle maintaining a 6’ distance between households (one way up the aisle to receive, returning by side aisle).

• Masks should still be worn in the Communion line until just before receiving. Do not say “Amen”. After the priest offers you Communion, please step to the side, consume the Eucharist, and then immediately re-mask as you head back to your pew/chair.

  Departure Procedures

• After the final blessing and thanksgiving, parishioners must remain in their pew/chair to be dismissed by the Usher. Each pew/chair will depart the church after Mass in an orderly manner, from the back to the front.

• Clergy will not shake hands, in order to maintain distance.

• Please do not congregate before or after Mass or in the parking lots.

  Church Cleaning Procedures

• We will continue to implement cleanliness and sanitation practices, including disinfecting pews/chairs between every Mass.

• Disinfecting will be done for door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces after every Mass.

• Please follow the CDC recommendations regarding your own health. If you fall into an “at-risk” category,

  please consider staying at home and making a Spiritual Communion, (See the blog,

  sccrparish.blogspot.com).

• Any weddings, funerals, and baptisms that you wish to celebrate must be conducted in accordance with the

  protocols of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Please contact the parish office.

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has published Covid-19 guidelines to safely return to Mass. Currently, there is no obligation to attend Mass. If you do not attend, we recommend a Spiritual Communion (see above) or one of the streaming video Masses that is listed on the home page of our web site. 

Click For Archdiocese Of Cincinnati Covid-19 Guidelines

A Prayer For Peace

We thank you, O Lord,
For in your loving wisdom
You created one human family With a diversity
That enriches our communities.

We pray to you, O Lord,
That we always recognize
each member of this human family
As being made in your image and beloved by you, With worth and dignity.

We pray to you, O Lord,
That we may envision a way forward To heal the racial divisions
That deny human dignity and
the bonds between all human beings.

We pray to you, O Lord
That we may affirm each person's dignity Through fair access for all
To economic opportunity, housing, Education, and employment.

We pray to you, O Lord,
That we may have eyes to see
What is possible when we reach out
Beyond fear, beyond anger,
To hold the hand of our sisters, our brothers.

We thank you, O Lord,
For your call and challenge to us
That we may reveal your teachings and your love Through our actions to end racism
And to proclaim that we are all your children, heirs to your sacred creation.

Amen.*

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr Archbishop of Cincinnati

* Copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Congratulations, on the ordination of 10 men to the diaconate on April 25!

Seven men were ordained transitional deacons for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati; one man was ordained as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati; and two men were ordained as transitional deacons for the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Cincinnati.

The ordination was a closed Mass celebrated by Archbishop Schnurr. Please join us in praying for these newly ordained men.

Mr. Aaron Hess of St. Mary, Philothea, Transitional Deacon
Mr. Edward Hoffmann of Sacred Heart, Cincinnati, Transitional Deacon
Mr. Louis Jacquemin of St. Anne, Hamilton, Transitional Deacon
Mr. Michael Kapolka of St. Luke, Beavercreek, Transitional Deacon
Mr. Anthony Marcelli of St. Bernadette, Amelia, Transitional Deacon
Mr. Scott Morgan of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Anderson Township, Transitional Deacon
Mr. Elijah Puthoff of St. Remy, Russia, Transitional Deacon
Br. Henry Hoffmann of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Cincinnati, Transitional Deacon
Br. Brent Stull of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Cincinnati, Transitional Deacon
Mr. Jim Niswonger, St. Boniface/St. Mary, Piqua, Permanent Deacon

We regret that all social gatherings for the 170th Celebration have been canceled. St. Peter’s Picnic has also been canceled.

Sorry!

INTERESTED IN THE CATHOLIC FAITH?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which those who wish to join the Catholic faith community are welcomed and introduced to the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church. For those not yet baptized, this process leads to the Easter Vigil where they receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Those who have been previously baptized in another Christian tradition are invited to participate fully in the Church through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

Sessions for the Rite of Christian Initiation are available for anyone who wants to learn about the Catholic faith. The process begins with this “Inquiry” period in September, where questions lead to exploration. The formation sessions take place at St. Mary on Tuesdays from 7—8:30 PM in the Fr. Vincent Lewis Center.There is no final commitment to become a member of the Catholic Church until the Easter Vigil (spring). 

Would You Like To Revitalize Your Catholic Faith And Learn More?

The RCIA sessions would be perfect for you. If you or someone you know has been away from the church for some time, think seriously about participating in these discussions. It is a casual environment and we know the information will be most helpful.

Those who would like to know more can contact:  Deacon Ron Stang (St. Peter’s) at 513-309-5340 or Deacon Jerry Etienne at St. Mary’s (513) 734-4041 X 2.