MESSAGE UPDATES FROM ST. RAPHAEL:
SUNDAY MASS OBLIGATION RESUMES. JULY 1ST MARKS END OF DISPENSATION IN MINNESOTA.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a painful time of separation that necessitated the dispensation from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass. Now, as the pandemic subsides, and public gathering restrictions and safety protocols are lifted, it is time to gather as the Body of Christ once again. Therefore, the bishops and diocesan administrators of the Minnesota Catholic Conference have decided to reinstate the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation beginning the weekend of July 3-4, 2021. Learn more at backtomassmn.org.
MASS PROTOCOL CHANGES EFFECTIVE MAY 29TH:
On May 6, 2021, Governor Walz issued Executive Order 21-21. Per this executive order, CDC Guidelines, MN Department of Health Guidelines, and guidelines offered by the Archdiocese the following changes will be made effective May 28th: the tape on the pews in church will be removed and you may sit where you choose. Hand sanitizer continues to be available at the church entrances for those who wish to use it. The mask mandate has ben lifted, so masks are no longer required.
11/23/2020 POST
Trying to Stay Healthy…
This past Friday, November 20th, Archbishop Hebda sent a letter to all of the priests of this Archdiocese. In it, he thanked us for our ongoing ministry during the pandemic and for our commitment to following the COVID-19 safety protocols instituted by the Archdiocese and public health officials.
Due to the surge in cases – including deaths and hospitalizations – the Archbishop also asked us to pause, postpone or move to virtual, all of our non-sacramental activities between now and Christmas. Out of respect for his wishes, love for our brothers and sisters, and for the common good, I have decided to pause all in-person activities in our church building except for those related to the sacraments, prayer, and childhood and youth faith formation, and normal staff and volunteer activities related to parish operations. Examples of in-person activities that are suspended include open youth rooms, Bible studies, grief support groups, Fr. Altier’s Fundamentals of Catholicism class and meetings of the various parish organizations and committees (other than prayer groups).
Mass, confessions and the other sacraments will continue to be celebrated as usual. The dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation continues, so if you are in an at-risk category (older than 65, have compromised health, etc.) you are encouraged to worship with us virtually.
Also, please stay home if you are not feeling well or if you are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test. I think that the sacrificial measures specified above may reduce the spread of the virus and help keep our parishes open for Mass, confessions, weddings and other sacraments. Archbishop Hebda recorded a video message for you, the faithful, as well. You may watch it here.
Father Rudolph
07/27/2020 POST
FACE COVERINGS IN CHURCH AND PARISH OFFICE BUILDING: In compliance with the new face-covering mandate of Gov. Walz (Emergency Executive Order 20-81) please wear a face covering inside the buildings of the Church of St. Raphael. Those exempt are children under the age of two years old, and individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that makes it unreasonable for maintaining a face covering. Face coverings may be temporarily removed during the Mass by the reader (when proclaiming selections of Sacred Scripture from the lectionary), the priest celebrating Mass at the altar or giving the homily, and the cantor chanting/singing from choir loft.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION UPDATE: The Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is now available to committed adorers only at this time.
The Adoration Chapel door may only be entered by using the keypad code. Do NOT let anyone else in the chapel – they must have the entry code themselves. Capacity is set at four committed adorers in the Adoration Chapel per scheduled hour, with a maximum of seven when including the combination of family members. Non-related adorers must observe the 6-foot physical distancing requirement. We request adorers wear masks when other adorers are present in the Chapel. Your cooperation and adherence to these guidelines allows us to keep the Adoration Chapel open. On those days where we have committed adorers scheduled for all the daytime and early evening hours, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed. On those days where we do not have continuous coverage by committed adorers, the Blessed Sacrament will be reposed in the tabernacle. Please contact Sharon Hedman 763-315-0202 for more information about adoration, or Char Vecellio 651-336-6630 to commit to an hour of prayer each week in the Adoration Chapel or to get on the substitute list.
06/30/2020 Message from Archbishop Hebda for parishioners who are homebound, living in assisted living or care centers, and who are not able to attend Mass as this time due to COVID-19: Archbishop Hebda
06/25/2020 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION UPDATE: The Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is now available to committed adorers only at this time. The Adoration Chapel door may only be entered by using the keypad code. Please do not let anyone else in when entering or leaving the Chapel. They must have the code themselves. Capacity is set at two non-related people OR one family in the Adoration Chapel per scheduled hour. Adorers need to adhere to their scheduled hour(s) only. Out of respect for the scheduled hour of the previous adorer, please arrive on time for your scheduled hour, but not early. As we currently have hours with no scheduled adorer, Adoration will be in front of the Tabernacle where the Blessed Sacrament will be reposed. Every hour must be covered with at least one, and preferably two committed adorers before the Blessed Sacrament can be exposed. Please contact Sharon Hedman 763-315-0202 for more information about adoration, or Char Vecellio 651-336-6630 to commit to an hour of prayer each week in the Adoration Chapel. Thank you for your cooperation and adherence to the established guidelines as this allows us to keep the Adoration Chapel open.
06/08/2020 LIVESTREAM MASS SCHEDULE CHANGE: The livestream Mass on Sunday will now be the 12:30 pm Mass.
05/29/2020 HELP NEEDED: We are in need of volunteers to help with ushering at Mass and help with cleaning after Mass. Following new protocols, volunteers must be no older than 64 years of age. If you are interested in helping to volunteer for one of these important ministries, please sign up here: https://forms.gle/Yg3NnHre2KqjZLae8
05/28/2020 NEW UPDATE: Effective immediately the church will be locked except for regularly scheduled Mass and confession times. We have been advised to follow this course of action for the time being as we work to establish new protocols to ensure the safety of all. We are grateful that while we were not able to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we were able to keep the church open 14 hours a day for personal prayer. We have joyfully resumed our regular Mass Schedule: Monday-Saturday at 8:00 am; Saturday evening at 5:30 pm; Sunday morning at 8:30 am and 10:30 am – with an additional Mass at 12:30 pm on Sunday. All Masses are limited to no more than 250 people, with social distancing of 6 feet being observed. NOTE: There is no 6:30 am public Mass on Wednesday mornings at this time.
This continues to be a time of rapid change. We will continued to do our very best to keep you informed as we move forward. Please continue to refer to our website for the most up to date information. Thank you for your faithfulness and understanding – please continue to pray for our parish, our priests, and our community. God bless you all.
05/28/2020 MASS UPDATE: Please read the following letter from Fr. Rudolph HERE This new letter provides some new information regarding public Masses at St. Raphael. Please frequently check the parish website for the most up to date information regarding any changes.
05/28/2020 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION UPDATE: Please read communication from Betty Kreuter regarding Eucharistic Adoration HERE.
05/24/2020 Message from the Archbishop: MASS AGREEMENT +HEBDA FINAL
05/17/2020 EXTREME FAITH CAMP CANCELLED: Please read about the EFC cancellation HERE.
05/09/2020 SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION UPDATE: Fr. Rudolph and Fr. Altier are now hearing confessions in the Family Rooms located in the North entry of the church near the Baptismal Font.
05/01/2020: Message from the Archbishop COVID19 MASS UPDATE +HEBDA 5-1-20 FINAL
04/15/2020: Holy Communion During the Easter Season: ArchbishopHebda has allowed for Catholics of the Archdiocese to receive Holy Communion on one occasion during the Easter season. Beginning Tuesday, April 21, there will be opportunities for St. Raphael parishioners to attend specific Masses (not live-streamed Masses) where Holy Communion will be distributed. These opportunities will be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, some Saturdays, and some Sundays. All Saturday and Sunday Masses are filled. Most weekday Masses are filled. First available is Wednesday, May 20th. Parishioners must call the Parish Office at 763-537-8401 ext. 507 to make a reservation to attend one of these Masses. Please leave a message. Someone will return your call, provide you with the scheduled Mass dates/times, and will help you reserve one of the available spots. Please note that there is a limit of nine parishioners per Mass. A reservation is required to attend one of these scheduled Masses. Masses will be held in the Holy Spirit Chapel and “social distancing” requirements of six feet between individuals applies, except for immediate family members.
04/13/2020: The Daily Reflections that were posted and sent via email blast are now replaced with Daily Mass which is now live-streamed! Monday – Saturday morning live-streamed Masses will be at 8:00 am. Sunday live-streamed Mass will be at 10:30 am. Please join us HERE
04/06/2020 Update: Blessed Palms are available on tables in the Upper East Gathering Space. For the safety of all, please take any palm(s) you touch. There is hand sanitizer available on the table for you to use prior to selecting your palms. God bless you.
04/02/2020 Update: The Archbishop has suspended all public Masses through April 19, 2020 (Divine Mercy Sunday). Please read Fr. Rudolph’s letter HERE for the latest updates related to St. Raphael. You, our wonderful parishioners, continue to be in our prayers each day. God bless you!
3/27/2020 Update: The Parish Office is closed, but parish staff are working remotely from home and are frequently checking for phone messages. The Archdiocese is offering a Virtual Holy Week Retreat. Find out more about this beautiful retreat HERE or go to the Online and Home Resources icon on the Home page. Although we will not be able to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass together, there will be Blessed Palms available in the Upper East Gather Space for you to pick up beginning about 3:00 pm on Palm Sunday, April 5th.
3/26/2020 Update: Per Archbishop Hebda (see announcement below) – no public Masses or large gatherings of any kind will be held for at least the next two weeks which brings us to Wednesday in Holy Week. The parish office is now closed, but the parish staff will be working remotely from home and will be calling into the office to pick up phone messages and respond back to you. Mail will continue to be delivered to the parish, and will be processed by the priests. The main church is still open for private prayer from 6:00 am – 8:00 pm (please maintain the 6 feet social distancing recommended by the CDC). Confessions are still being heard (see below under Sacrament of Reconciliation). God bless you all and keep you healthy and safe.
MASS UPDATE 3/18/2020: Effective immediately, all public celebrations of Mass are suspended in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. If you have any questions, please call the parish office at 763-537-8401. Please see Archbishop Hebda’s announcements below.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION UPDATE 3/20/2020: The sacrament of reconciliation will still be offered at the usual days and times, except that on Saturday morning, confessions will now be from 7:30 am to 9:00 am and Sunday morning confessions will be eliminated. Please allow 6 feet of space between yourself and the next person in line while waiting for confession.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION CHAPEL UPDATES 3/20/2020: The Adoration Chapel is temporarily closed, but the main church will be open every day for private prayer from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. You may enter in through the lower east and upper church doors. Please sit a minimum of 6 feet apart or more in all directions. If you have questions, please call the Parish Office.
General Information:
- Our parishioners and their welfare is important to us. If parishioners are in need of assistance, please contact the Parish Office at 763-537-8401.
- All activities and meetings have been canceled through March 27, 2020 at this time.
- Please follow our website (straphaelcrystal.org) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/straphaelcrystal/) for all updates.
- Parish Database Updates: Dear parish family, Our parishioners are important to us and we want to be able to keep our lines of communication with you open during this challenging time. Do we have your current email address? We are sending some communications via email blast to keep you informed about the latest updates from the parish. If we do not have your current email information, you will not receive these emailed updates. If you did not receive the most recent email blast from the parish (sent March 19th), please call the office and provide us with your current email and we will update our parishioner database site. Or if you do not have email, perhaps you have a family member who would like to receive this communication on your behalf and could then share the information with you. Thank you and God bless you.
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, https://www.archspm.org/covid19
Archbishop Hebda announcements: State Shutdown; Mass Suspension; Dispensation
