St. Ignatius of Loyola

Dear brothers and sisters in the United States,
I have witnessed with great concern the disturbing social unrest in your nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd. My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life. At the same time, we have to recognize that “the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost.”
Today I join the Church in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and in the entire United States, in praying for the repose of the soul of George Floyd and of all those others who have lost their lives as a result of the sin of racism. Let us pray for the consolation of their grieving families and friends and let us implore the national reconciliation and peace forwhich we yearn.
May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America, intercede for all those who work for peace and justice in your land and throughout the world. May God bless all of you and your families.

Based on the official documents from the Attorney General of Texas, the Governor's report to Open Texas and the Texas Health and Human Services guiding houses of worship in the reopening of their facilities during the COVID-19 Crisis, the Parish Pandemic Response Team will establish particular protocols for reopening St. Ignatius of Loyola's public Masses.

All of the documents strongly  encourage those who are 65 or older, especially those with chronic lung disease; moderate to severe asthma; chronic heart disease; severe obesity; diabetes; chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis; liver disease; or weakened immune system to watch or participate in the service remotely. The Parish Pandemic Response Team strongly urge our parishioners to follow this recommendation. We will continue to livestream our daily 9:00 am Mass, the Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:15pm, the10:00 am Mass in English and the Mass in Spanish at 12:30 pm on Sundays.  His Eminence reiterates that the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days continues to be suspended. 
 
Flocknotes are sent regularly outlining all the protocols to be followed in returning to St. Ignatius of Loyola for public Masses as well as any updates and changes. 
 
OPENING THE CHURCH FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
Our Reservation Chapel will be open for private prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament from 6:30 am to 4:30 pm every day except Wednesdays when it will remain open until 6:30 pm. Everyone is required to maintain proper social/physical distancing while using the Chapel. Proper distancing is measured by leaving 2 empty seats between you (or your group) and the next person. Rows will be spaced at 6 Feet. Masks must be worn in the Chapel.
 
WEEKDAY MASSES

• Weekday Mass schedule is Monday through Friday at 9:00 am. The Tuesday and Wednesday evening Masses are temporarily suspended.
• Anyone coming to a public Mass must wear a mask and sanitize your hands upon entry. Your temperature will also be taken. 
• All entry will be through the front doors of the church which will be unlocked 20 minutes before each service.

WEEKEND MASSES
The weekend Masses are now open to the public. Because of the requirement to sanitize the facility between every service, we will maintain a modified Mass schedule as follows.

• Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:15pm
• Sunday Masses will be at 7:30 am, 10:00 am and 12:30 pm in Spanish.
• We will continue to livestream the 5:15pm Vigil Mass, the 10:00 am Sunday Mass in English and the 12:30 pm Mass in Spanish.
• If attendance warrants, we will set up overflow seating in the Christus Center where we will livestream the Mass. Holy Communion will be distributed there as well. 
• Anyone coming to a public Mass must wear a mask and sanitize your hands upon entry. Your temperature will also be taken. 
• All entry will be through the front doors of the church which will be unlocked 20 minutes before each service. 

Remember that the number of people able to attend is governed by the Executive Order of the Governor - only 25% of normal capacity. In our situation it will be between 300 to 425 people depending on the number of families that come. 
 
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available on Saturdays from 9:30 am to 10:30 am and Wednesdays from 5:15pm to 6:15pm.
 
OFFICE HOURS
The parish offices will reopen beginning Monday, May 4th with a modified schedule. The offices will be open Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Saturdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Closed Fridays and Sundays. Anyone coming to the office for any reason must wear a mask and sanitize your hands upon entry. This is for the safety of our employees and the visitors to the office.
 
We will need the cooperation of everyone who comes to our facilities so that we may keep everyone safe. What will be especially important are the modifications being made to the reception of Holy Communion, per the Cardinal's request. 
 

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