Sacred Heart Susanville

The Catholic community in the Diocese of Sacramento will be able to celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi, around the sacred altars of their parish churches on Sunday, June 14th.

I am lifting the heartbreaking suspension of public celebrations of the Sacrifice of the Mass starting on Monday, June 8th. This will help pastors ready the churches for the glorious Feast of Corpus Christi. Parishes that are prepared to implement all the necessary public health protocols may begin offering Mass with the Faithful on June 8th.

My brother priests and I are taking all the steps to ensure the Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated in a manner that gives peace of mind to all our brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus.

The public guidelines I recently shared for resuming public celebrations of the Mass have been updated to reflect our continued work with public health officials. These guidelines are available on the diocesan website. These guidelines include limiting attendance to the lower of either 25% of church capacity or a maximum of 100 congregants. Pastors will also make these guidelines available to their parishioners. Please consult with your local parish to confirm the schedule of Masses and other directives intended to provide a safe environment for everyone in the church assembly.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not ended but conditions have improved sufficiently so that we can begin to offer the Mass and other sacraments in a cautious and responsible manner. It is still necessary to maintain physical-distancing. The wearing of masks in church is strongly recommended. Those who are 65 years of age and older should remain at home. Those with a vulnerable health condition should also continue to stay in their homes. To continue to protect the most vulnerable among us, the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is still in effect. If you feel sick or have any flu-like symptoms, do not come to Church. Stay home. Again, please consult the diocesan website or your parish for more information on how to be safe and protect one another from the coronavirus contagion.

With these new guidelines in place, we are still not able to come back to the table as in the past. As we adapt to these changes, we are all called to greater charity and understanding during this transition. Our continued vigilance respects those who are afflicted and honors those who risk their own lives in caring for them. The patient efforts each of us makes are an act of Christian solidarity that will strengthen the whole Body of Christ.

Our Lord Jesus has been the Good Shepherd throughout the Lenten and Easter Seasons. He has also been our wise, good Teacher instructing us through the sacrifices we have endured. These tribulations will continue for many of us. Our sharing in the Lord’s passion has offered a communion in the Lord’s saving death.

As we prepare to approach the Lord’s altar of sacrifice, may you know His consoling mercy and His encouraging grace. This Pentecost Sunday, we will continue to gather behind the closed doors as did the first disciples. The Blessed Mother Mary was in their company as they prayed. She will certainly be with each of you and your families. Pray with her as she intercedes for all of us. Her example teaches us to be open to the Spirit’s promptings even in these uncertain days. The Holy Spirit will help us to welcome the Lord Jesus with open hands and hearts as the Feast of Corpus Christi draws closer.

Be assured that Bishop Weigand, my brother priests and I continue to offer our Masses and pray for all of you so that soon we may taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Respectfully,

+Jaime Soto
Bishop of Sacramento

https://www.scd.org/sites/default/files/2020-05/Coming-Back-to-the-Table-ENG-Update-FINAL.pdf

GUIDELINES
The Eucharist is an essential part of the life of every baptized Catholic and the Church has the obligation to properly administer the sacrament to the faithful. Ensuring the health of each person in our Church is a collective responsibility. We all need to make prudent and practical actions in coming back together, mindful of the role we play in preventing the further spread of COVID-19. It is important to give serious consideration to the safety recommendations given by medical experts, local, county, and state officials.

At this time, the public celebration of the Sacrifice of the Mass is still suspended until further notice. When the public celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass resumes, we should all expect changes that reflect the needs of the current situation. All of these are held together with a three-fold approach: oneself, our church buildings, and the actual celebration of Holy Mass.All are called to greater patience, charity and understanding during the transition.
PREPARING OURSELVES TO RETURN TO PUBLIC MASS
Each should consider his or her own health. Those over 65 or with a vulnerable condition should shelter-in-place. Each person must make a prudent decision, for this reason the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass issued by Bishop Soto remains in force.While understanding the prominence of the Sunday Mass, the faithful are encouraged to attend Mass during the week as these usually have smaller crowds.
Observance of the Third Commandment of keeping the Lord's Day Holy is to be kept in mind always. The faithful should incorporate pious practices which help to sanctify the Lord’s Day. For example: the recitation of the rosary, reading of scripture, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, and communal family meals
.The use of PPE (e.g. gloves and masks) are strongly encouraged for all attending Mass. Prepare ahead of time by checking your parish schedule, the maximum number of people allowed for Mass and the system in place to control the attendance at each Mass.
BE YOUR BROTHER AND SISTER'S KEEPER...
If you are feeling sick or exhibiting symptoms, PLEASE STAY AT HOME.
If you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, PLEASE STAY AT HOME.
If you are not feeling well, PLEASE STAY AT HOME.
Symptoms that need to be given serious attention and require the exercise of caution:
• Temperature above 100.4 F
• Cough or sore throat
• Recent loss of smell or taste
• Chills
• New muscle aches
• Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE CHURCH
While we are eager to return to church and enjoy our parish community, we still have to make some modifications. Physical distancing remains the norm. Six feet of space needs to be kept between individuals or families and other families or individuals. Things like seating, entrances and exits may be different. Be sure to follow any instructions or signs posted to help you with these changes. Socializing and fellowship after Mass should be avoided if possible or at least minimized. Churches will need to be sanitized after each Mass. Things like missalettes, hymnals and other shared material will be removed from our churches. Be sure to take advantage of hand sanitizer when it is available.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY MASS
Physical Distancing must always be observed! We will see some changes in how things are done or who does them.
Those over 65 and those with vulnerable conditions are asked to allow others to fill liturgical roles,for the time being
Please remember not to hold hands during the Our Father.
The exchange of the Sign of Peace during Mass is still suspended.
Remove masks and gloves for Holy Communion. It is encouraged to receive Holy Communion in the hand.
Take advantage of hand sanitizer if it is available.
Follow whatever exit instructions you have been given.
Don’t be disappointed if Father doesn’t greet you after Mass, he’s trying to be a good example.
As we adapt to these changes, all are called to greater charity and understanding during the transition. Let our hearts be thankful that once again we may gather for Holy Mass and receive the Lord in Holy Communion!

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Susanville, CA

Mass Times

Adoration Times

Confession Times

Where to find us

Today's Readings

Links

Message to the Faithful from Bishop Jaime Soto - Coming Back to the Table

Download our Parish App