We received a directive from our Bishop that as of Wednesday, March 18, there will be no public Masses within the Diocese of Lansing. At this point, the current situation will last until Wednesday of Holy Week. Please read this announcement in its entirety and share this information with everyone within our parish boundaries.
Mass:
We will livestream a Mass at 8:00 am on Monday through Saturday. We will livestream a Mass on Sundays at 10:00 am. After the Masses, we will continue our livestream feed in order to allow you to hear from your priests who will offer some encouragement, inspiration, prayers and maybe even answer your questions. All livestreamed Masses will be on the Church of the Holy Family Facebook page and our website (hfgb.org). All Mass intentions not covered during the Masses you see livestreamed will be prayed by Fr. Peter or me in private Masses in our chapel.
When we can pray at our Church:
Every day from 9 am until 4 pm, the Church (Hall) will be open for those who wish to sit in the worship space and pray. We will, obviously, need to limit the number of people allowed in to pray at the same time. Please be conscious of this. Also, please stay home if you are in a high risk demographic or if you are feeling sick.
Funerals:
Should the need for a funeral arise, we will offer two options. We will offer these as long as we can. Option 1: The priests here pray a memorial Mass in their private chapel. Option 2: The priest here pray a funeral Mass with only immediate family, not numbering over 10.
Weddings:
If you have a wedding scheduled during this time, we will work with you to do a private ceremony with the couple, the priest or deacon and two witnesses. We will offer this for as long as we are allowed.
Baptisms:
Should a need for an emergency baptism arise, you are allowed to do the following: get water, and pour it three times on the child’s head and say the following, using your child’s name: “(Child’s full name), I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” If it is not an emergency baptism, please wait until the crisis passes.
What if someone is dying?
Please use our parish emergency number (810) 356-3187. One of us will get to you if it is possible. Please, do not use the parish emergency number for anything except the danger of death.
Holy Water:
We have blessed and exorcized an extraordinary amount of Holy Water and Salt for anyone who wishes. We have small bottles available for you to take the Holy Water and Salt home, but you may wish to bring your own container.
Eucharistic Procession:
Fr. Peter and/or I will be processing through various neighborhoods in Grand Blanc with the Eucharist this Sunday. If this turns out to work, we will do it each Sunday until the crisis passes.
Should you see us and want a blessing, please come out on your porch or front lawn and we will stop and bless your house from the street or sidewalk. While we cannot offer you the reception of the Eucharist, we will be able to bless you with it.
As much as it pains me to type this, please do not attempt to join in the procession.
Should you need Holy Water while we are passing by, please let us know and we will try to leave you some. If possible, we will let you know where we are with the Eucharist on our Church of the Holy Family Facebook page.
Family, I have to tell you that we will need your financial support wherever possible during this time. While we will not have collections for a while, we have the same bills and an increasing number of people who need our help. Please, if you are in a position to do so, help us serve you and the most vulnerable among us by donating either online or sending donations in.
Please keep your eyes on our Church of the Holy Family Facebook page or website. We will try to update them faithfully so you know where we are and what we are doing.
May Jesus bless us with love, selflessness and patient endurance during this time.
I am so very blessed to be your priest.
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