St. Augustine
Cathedral

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Coronavirus Guidelines and Protocols  
                   Updated April 2, 2022
GENERAL CLEANING/HYGENIC PROTOCOLS
• Regular hand sanitizing should continue; and special attention given to sanitizing before any interaction within the liturgy (e.g. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, giftbearers)
• Sanitizing stations should be readily available for all serving in the Sanctuary, as well as for the Faithful and at all Parish activities/events
• Ablution and sanitizing stations are to be used during the distribution of Holy Communion, especially for reception on the tongue
• Resume routine cleaning of the Sanctuary and all common areas

LITURGICAL GUIDELINES
• Reception of Holy Communion from the Chalice by the Faithful in general continues to be suspended. However:   
   o The bride and bridegroom receive Holy Communion from the same Chalice when Matrimony is celebrated within Mass (cf. Order of Celebrating Matrimony within Mass, n. 76).
   o If individual chalices can be provided, those receiving their First Holy Communion may receive Holy Communion under both kinds.
   o Pastors must remain vigilant to provide for those who are unable to receive Holy Communion under the species of the host.

ALL OTHER PRACTICES AND EVENTS MAY BE RESUMED AT THE DIRECTION, AND WITH THE APPROVAL, OF THE PASTOR. Examples of Practices that may be fully resumed: • The use of liturgical ministers (servers, Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, etc.)
• Opening Procession, Procession of the Gifts of Bread, Wine and monetary offerings, Recessional
• The inclusion of Choirs in the liturgy • Passing offertory baskets for collection
• Sign of Peace - handshake permitted* (*contact not required) • Greeting parishioners after Mass

“Come to Me, all who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you.” (Mt.11:28)


April 4, 2022
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We are rapidly approaching Holy Week, the most Sacred Week of our Liturgical Year, which celebrates the most important events of all time.  We will remember the glory of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, followed quickly by His Last Supper and arrest on Holy Thursday, His suffering, Death and Burial on Good Friday, and His Resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday.
As we are all too aware, for the past two years, our participation in the normal activities of life, including the practice of our faith, has been restricted in a number of ways due to efforts to protect us all from the COVID-19 Virus. Now that society is returning to somewhat of a normal schedule of activities, it is also necessary for all of us to return to the regular, in-person practice of our faith. With this in mind, I have asked all our Pastors to return to the normal Liturgical practices, with some minor exceptions, while maintaining the continued diligent use of hygienic practices for everyone coming to our churches. 
Given the circumstances in our society, which continues to be divided by economic, social and political unrest; and in our world, as war is raging in Ukraine and our hearts are deeply touched by so much suffering there, and in so many other parts of the world, we have more need than ever to be strengthened by our faith and renewed by the Hope of Easter.  Jesus’ beautiful invitation with which I began this Pastoral Letter to you, dear Faithful people of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, is the best way for us to find the comfort, rest, and strength we need.  We need to accept Jesus’ invitation – to truly come to Him and turn back to God. There is no better way to do that than in participating in the celebration of the Holy Mass, receiving the grace of the Sacraments, and being nourished by the Gift of the Eucharist.  And there is no better time to do that than right now during these remaining days of the Season of Lent and to enter fully and prayerfully into Holy Week, Easter, and all the subsequent celebrations of Easter every Sunday. 
As Bishop, it is both my privilege as well as my responsibility, to remind us all that we have a serious obligation to “Keep Holy the Lord’s Day,” to be faithful in giving our worship to God by joining with our sisters and brothers in Christ every week for Holy Mass.  I also invite you to go to Confession and avail yourself of the graces bestowed when you confess your sins and accept God’s forgiveness. Our faith is meant to be lived out, daily, and we show our love to the One who created us and His Son who saved us through our participation in the Mass and the Sacraments. Doing this, along with our charitable service to one another, gives thanks to God for the Gift of our Salvation Jesus has won for us, which is what we celebrate most dramatically during these last days of Lent, Holy Week and Easter.
Our faith is what gives us focus and purpose as Catholics. Our faith prepares us for our Eternal Life with God in Heaven.  May we be unified as the Body of Christ as we continue to ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit during our special Jubilee Year. Let us continue to pray as we do at each Mass for our Spirit of Mercy to “inspire within us the desire to be like Jesus, Who won our Salvation and Who redeemed us from sin and death.”  May our dear Blessed Mother, to whose heavenly intercession and maternal care we just recently reconsecrated our Diocese, St. Augustine our Diocesan Patron, and the Communion of All Saints, intercede for us and encourage us regularly and faithfully to participate in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church.
May we accept Jesus’ invitation with all our hearts and Come to Him Who promises to give us rest, refreshment, and Eternal Life. May our Loving God bless you abundantly during this Holy Week and may the Joy and Hope of Easter fill your hearts throughout all the seasons of the Church year to come.
Faithfully yours in Christ,

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Monday, April 11              Masses 7:00 am and 12:10 pm
Tuesday, April 12              Masses 7:00 am and 12:10 pm
Tuesday, April 12              Chrism Mass at 6:00 pm.
Wednesday, April 13        Masses 7:00 am and 12:10 pm
 
The Sacred Triduum (Three Days) begins with Holy Thursday night.  Each day has its own liturgy.  While these liturgies are not obligatory, the Faithful are invited to participate in any or all of these liturgies.  Bishop Bradley will be the main celebrant at the Chrism Mass, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday at 11:30 am.  Please note that there are no morning Masses April 14-16. 
 
Holy Thursday, April 14
7:00 pm Mass
8:00 pm Confession
8:00 - midnight Adoration
11:45 p.m.  Compline (Night Prayer)
The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed at the Blessed Mother’s Altar. 

Good Friday, April 15
10:45 am Cathedral door opens
11:00-11:45 am Confessions
12:00 pm (noon) Seven Last Words
1:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross
1:30 pm Passion of our Lord at
3:00 pm Confessions resume
8:00 pm Tenebre
 
Holy Saturday, April 16
11:00 Confessions
1:00 pm Blessing of Easter Baskets
2:00 p.m. Confessions
last chance for confession before Easter Sunday

Easter Vigil, April 16
9:00 pm Solemn Liturgy Mass
 
Easter Sunday, April 17
7:30 am Mass of the Resurrection 
9:30 am Mass of the Resurrection
11:30 am Mass of the Resurrection
NO confessions Easter Sunday