Dear Parishioners of St. Benedict’s:

After Governor Ivey’s COVID-19 order of March 27th, which comes into effect 5 PM Saturday evening, March 28th:

I will implement the following schedule at St. Benedict’s:

Sunday Masses will continue to be held at 8:30, 10, and at 11:30 am.  

Attendees are limited to no more than 9 persons per room, viz., for the chapel and for the cry room areas.  9 attendees are permitted in the cry room, and 7 attendees are permitted in the chapel, I as the celebrant and the Altar Server count as two persons.  

For Masses where there are 2 Altar Servers, then no more than 6 persons are permitted in the chapel at any time, and during celebration of Mass.

This will require coordination to pull this off so that we meet with the current laws, and so that our parishioners do not get ill with the coronavirus.

Please contact Mrs. Marguerite Thomey and inform her of what Mass you’ll go to, or if you’re willing instead to assist at a daily Mass.

I will permit parishioners to receive Holy Communion before Mass begins, who are willing to be excused from assisting at Mass so to keep within the guidelines.

After the 11:30 am Mass, if there are still parishioners who wish to confess and receive Holy Communion, I will do so on a half hour basis; viz., at 1 pm, 1:30 pm, etc., I will continue to give those sacraments so that you all may receive them.

Another option is to refrain from Sunday Mass attendance and attend a daily Mass, which is usually sparsely attended, and will meet Alabama state laws.

If any of you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call me at (616)970-1188.

Most of all, let us humble ourselves and pray that God lift this coronavirus from us, and more greatly appreciate the freedoms we take for granted.

In Jesus and Mary,

Fr. John Trough