Diocese of Joliet Phased Re-opening of Our Churches
 Reopening plan for St. Mary’s Church amid COVID-19

Dear Parishioners,

I pray that you and your loved ones are healthy. As you may have seen, Bishop Richard Pates recently shared our multi-phased plan for reopening churches in the Diocese of Joliet. The Diocesan Phases are outlined as follows:

 • Diocesan Phase I allows for parishes to reopen for Baptism, Reconciliation, Weddings, and Funerals with a limit of TEN attendees.

 •  Diocesan Phase IA allows for parishes to reopen for private prayer and adoration with a limit of TEN attendees. 

•  Diocesan Phase II allows for parishes to reopen for weekday and weekend masses for groups larger than 10. The State of Illinois will issue guidelines at a later date, as to the number of attendees allowed.

Currently, the Parish Reopening Leadership Team is preparing the Parish for Diocesan Phase I. The Reopening Leadership Team will communicate with the Parish as we move through to other Diocesan Phases. 

 Our St. Mary’s Reopening Plan 

First and foremost, it is important for everyone to understand that our efforts will prioritize the safety and well-being of all while maintaining due respect and reverence for the sacraments and liturgical norms of our faith. While we look forward to our return to Parish life, we can expect to see safety measures put in place that will become a “new normal”.  As an example, it will be necessary for anyone entering the Church or Parish Center to wear a mask for the entirety of their time inside our Church or Parish Center. While these measures may be uncomfortable at first, please know they are being implemented to maintain the safety of everyone in our Parish. 

I have assembled a Parish Reopening Leadership Team with captains to lead our efforts. Together, we will participate in required training from the Diocese to ensure that our Parish Reopening Plan conforms to the guidelines developed by the Diocese in collaboration with civil and healthcare authorities. We will also obtain protective equipment and cleaning supplies, as well as guidance on purchasing/maintaining supplies moving forward.

Volunteers Needed 

We will need volunteers to assist with various aspects of our Parish Reopening Plan. We ask those who volunteer to be health-minded and have no underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, undergoing cancer treatment, etc. In addition we ask that those over the age of 60 consult with the Parish Leadership Team about possibly serving as a volunteer. I ask all of you who are younger than 60 and healthy with no underlying health conditions to consider assisting with one of three reopening teams. I especially encourage high school and college students, as well as young adults to serve and volunteer for teams.

• Set-up team. Sample duties include ensuring that all supplies needed for each sacramental celebration/gathering are ready for use, entrances and exits are marked and propped physically open prior to attendees’ arrival/departure, windows are opened, etc.

 • Greeting team. Sample duties include assisting in managing the flow of congregants as they enter the church, making sure attendees use hand sanitizer upon entering, are wearing a mask, and are reminded not to enter if ill, and directing people to appropriate seating/waiting areas, etc.

 • Cleaning team. Sample duties include maintaining and cleaning essential and trafficked areas of the church before and after the church has been used. Masks and gloves will be provided, if you do not have your own, in addition to approved cleaning/disinfecting supplies.

The Reopening Leadership Team and I will make sure that all volunteers are properly trained. Please send us an email at stmarysminooka@sbcglobal.net to indicate your willingness and ability to volunteer. I, or a member of the Reopening Leadership Team, will be in contact with those who step forward to discuss ways you can serve your Parish during this time.

 Timing for Our Reopening 

As I mentioned, the Parish Reopening Leadership Team members and I have already completed the Diocese required training. We will now begin reviewing and completing tasks assigned to all parishes as part of a reopening certification process to be approved by the Diocese. We will move forward at a pace and timing appropriate for our situation. Our Leadership Team is committed to ensuring the safety of all who attend our Parish and are working diligently to make sure we are prepared in all aspects before reopening the church. We ask for your patience as we navigate these uncharted waters as quickly, but as diligently as possible.

The guidelines and measures required to reopen are designed to protect our well-being and that of our broader community. It is good to note that we do this together as from the first pages of Scripture we learn that we indeed are “our brother’s keeper.” Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed, “that they all may be one” (Jn 17:21) and commanded us “love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34). Our collective patience, willingness to help, and the care we take to reopen is a demonstration of our unity and love for one another.

May God grant you His peace during this difficult time and may He manifest His love and presence to you in abundant ways. If you have any questions, please contact me at 815-467-2233.

Love and Prayers,

Fr. Tuan

How to make

Spiritual Communion

at home! 

Click here.

A special thank you to the Illinois Partners in Hope Food Bank, Fred Ban, and all of our volunteers who helped make our first pop-up food pantry a success!

Being kind is cool!

Resignation of Bishop Daniel Conlon:

From Bishop Conlon:

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Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

during COVID-19 Pandemic

by Archbishop José Gomez

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.