The Roman Catholic Church of Southern Missouri

Palm Sunday, April 5th, Mass will be celebrated in St. Catherine's parking lot at 9:00 am. Remain in your car at all times and tune in to 88.5 fm. 

***SPECIAL MESSAGE***

March 19, 2020

Dear Parishioner:

I am sure you are as shocked as I am in the many ways the coronavirus pandemic is continually changing our lives. The changes were mostly dictated by local health departments and government agencies. Our diocese and parishes must cooperate with these agencies both for the common good and to strive for the long-term health and well-being of the people of God.

So, as you now know, we had to discontinue Masses as well as curtail sacramental programs and all other public gatherings in our parish. These measures are unprecedented and this ever-changing situation continues to develop each day. We all need to pray for each other, for our parish and for our country that we soon see an end to this stressful emergency.

The 84 parishes throughout the diocese rely on the offertory collection for their operations. Our parish is no exception. It is obvious that our parish day to day operation has been dramatically changed in the ways we typically serve people. However, our parish does have some continuing costs that must be addressed. These include my salary and the salary of our parish staff . We feel in fairness and justice, we must continue to pay these loyal employees who are critical to serving our parishioners. In addition, we have the continuing expenses of utilities, phone and internet service, insurance, and security.

I know we all need to be careful with our resources during this period of uncertainty, but I ask you to prayerfully consider continuing your offertory gift to the parish. I would sincerely appreciate any assistance you can share, at this most difficult time.

You can do this in the following ways:

• Mailing a check (hopefully your usual offertory gift) to our parish office
• Giving to the parish on-line – Please see the parish web site (if the parish currently has this option)

Let me assure you that you are in my prayers. In these difficult times, I ask that you continue to keep prayer first and foremost in your minds as we pray for the health and well-being of our nation, our Church and each other. If I can help you with any spiritual needs or any other problems at all, please do not hesitate to call me at ___573 247 0277_______________

On a ministry level, do you have older parishioners living near you for whom you might be able to do

some shopping so they don’t have unnecessary exposure?

Yours in Christ,

fr. dan