As many of us have become aware of the news, Governor Newsom has called for more restrictions within our State, restrictions which include faith-based organizations as well. The spike in Covid-19 cases occurring in California reminds us of what we need to know about the virus, as well as our need to attempt to limit its spreading within the community. We do so by remaining prayerful for those who have been exposed to the virus (and other ailments), mitigating the spread of the virus and also remaining thankful for those who research and bring healing to those who are ailing.
In our Church, we believe in the power of prayer and beseech our Lord to protect His creation; that He may enlighten the minds of those entrusted to find a cure for Covid-19 and that He may bring about healing to our world from ALL of its many afflictions. Taking into consideration recent directives yet recognizing our responsibility to our Lord and the Body of Christ, the people of God, the Church, we will, beginning tomorrow morning modify our current practices.
We will ask our faithful as well as visitors to our parish, to sit outside the chapel in chairs that will be placed in our courtyard. We will have a widescreen monitor and speakers outside broadcasting the service and at the appropriate time, the priests will come out through the opened doors bless, commune or anoint the faithful.
Additionally, we will continue to live-stream our services and broadcast them to our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/saintanna
The Church in Her wisdom knows that She is the agent of health and healing for both the bodies and the souls of the faithful. We must therefore prayerfully and gracefully remain steadfast, but also adaptable. It is important that we take every precaution to protect ourselves and to follow the guidelines that have been provided to help restrict the spread of the coronavirus. Anyone with health concerns or anyone feeling “under the weather” should not come to Divine Services. The Church, in Her wisdom and love for us, also knows that there are times when there is “good cause” to be absent from the Divine Services.
At the parish, we will be continue doing the following:
• providing alcohol-based hand sanitizer outside to help maintain good hand hygiene.
• sanitizing surfaces outside the Church (the chairs that people sit on)
• providing masks outside
Thankfully, young children are much less likely to get severe illness from COVID-19. They can, however, pass the infection to others even if they themselves may have mild illness. Since young people may not cover their mouths when they cough or wear masks with ease, I want to remind that you that if a child is sick, consider keeping him/her at home out of respect for those who are older and/or with weakened immune systems.
In closing, I pray that our Lord will ever bless you, strengthen you, protect you and grant you every good gift unto salvation. And, I do thank you for understanding and also for accommodating our changes that we pray are well pleasing to God and respectful of His Creation.