ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH

O great St. Rocco, deliver us, we beseech you, from contagious diseases, and the contagion of sin. Obtain for us a purity of  heart which will assist us to make good use of health and to bear sufferings with patience. Teach us to follow your example in the practice of penance and charity so that we may one day enjoy the happpiness of being with Christ, Our Savior, in Heaven. Amen.

Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Most Holy Sacreament of the altar. Since I cannot now receive Thee under the Sacramental Veil, I beseech Thee, with a heart full of love and longing, to come spiritually into my soul through the Immaculate Heart of thy Most Holy Mother, and to abide with me, Thou in me, and I in Theee, in time and in eternity. Amen

Jesús, creo que estás verdaderamente presente en el Santísimo Sacramento del altar. Como ahora no puedo recibirte bajo el velo sacramental, te suplico, con un corazón lleno de amor y anhelo, que vengas espiritualmente a mi alma a través del Inmaculado Corazón de tu Santísima Madre, y que permanezcas conmigo, Tú en mí, y yo en Theee, en el tiempo y en la eternidad. Amén

Bishop Joseph Strickland assures us that,  even though we are not being fed by Christ’s Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist in these days,  God has not abandoned us. Do not despair! We are here for each other, especially those in the most vulnerable age bracket for the COVID-19 virus.

El obispo Joseph Strickland nos asegura que, a pesar de que no estamos siendo alimentados por el Cuerpo y la Sangre, el Alma y la Divinidad de Cristo en la Eucaristía en estos días, Dios no nos ha abandonado. ¡No se desesperen! Estamos aquí el uno para el otro, especialmente aquellos en el grupo de edad más vulnerable para el virus COVID-19.

Scroll to the bottom of this page and click on the link to the St. Philip Institute for messages from Bishop Strickland and other spiritual video resources. The videos are also provided in Spanish.

Desplácese hasta el final de esta página y haga clic en el enlace al Instituto St. Philip para ver los mensajes del Obispo Strickland y otros recursos de video espiritual. Los videos también se proporcionan en español.

EVERY LITURGICAL ACTIVITY IS SUSPENDED UNTIL APRIL 1, 2020
 

CADA ACTIVIDAD LITURGICA SE SUSPENDE HASTA EL 1 DE ABRIL DE 2020

Decree Suspending the Public Celebration of Mass and Enacting Other Measures

JOSEPH EDWARD STRICKLAND
BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE APOSTOLIC SEE
BISHOP OF TYLER

DECREE
Suspending the Public Celebration of Mass and Enacting Other Measures

Considering that it is my responsibility to show concern and act with humanity and the charity of Christ toward all those entrusted to my care as Bishop of Tyler (c. 383, §§1, 3), and recognizing my duty to direct, promote, and guard the liturgical life of the diocese (c. 835, §1); and

Having consulted medical experts and heeding the guidance of the civil authorities and public health professionals regarding the critical need to limit gatherings to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease, including the guidelines issued by the President of the United States in this time of national emergency; 

Therefore, in virtue of my ordinary, proper, and immediate authority as diocesan bishop, I hereby decree as follows:

1. The suspension of all public Masses in the Diocese of Tyler. Accordingly, this includes a dispensation for all the faithful in the diocese from the obligation to participate at Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation (cc. 87, §1; 1247).

2. The celebration of Holy Mass by the priest privately (without the people) should continue and include, if possible, the assistance of only one other adult minister who is asymptomatic (cc. 904; 906). Previously scheduled intentions, including the weekly Mass for the people, may be fulfilled in this manner.

3. The faithful are encouraged to keep the Lord’s day holy and celebrate Sunday as a domestic church by taking time to pray together as a household (c. 1248, §2). Diocesan media will have resources for daily Mass readings, spiritual communion, and other devotions.

4. Baptisms may still be celebrated, but with the requirement to keep attendance to asymptomatic immediate family and godparents.

5. The sacrament of penance should still be offered, but penance services are to be canceled. When celebrated individually, proper social distancing should be observed as much as possible. Consideration should be given to moving the penitent approximately six feet from the confessor, even if this would necessitate using a different room than is normally used for confession or celebrating the sacrament in a more open location.

6. Visits to the sick may still take place and anointing of the sick should still be celebrated by priests for those who are seriously ill or in danger of death, but always following the recommended protocols for handwashing and use of masks by those infected and those who are ministering. Priests are reminded that they may use an instrument (e.g. a cotton swab) to anoint if there is a grave reason (c. 1000, §2).

7. Public weddings should be rescheduled, particularly those in April. Simple weddings may be celebrated, but only with the minister, official witnesses, and asymptomatic immediate family members.

8. Funerals may be celebrated, but only with the minister and immediate family members. Pastors may use discretion on requests from families to include others.

9. Public celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours, Stations of the Cross, and other devotional gatherings are suspended until the public celebration of Mass resumes. Churches may remain open for private prayer, provided due regard is given to the proper sanitization and hygiene procedures.

I order that this decree be made known to all concerned and communicated to the faithful by the pastors of the diocese.

These measures take effect March 18, 2020 and will remain in force until further notice, with an update to be provided on April 1. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding.

Given at Tyler, at the Diocesan Curia, on March 17, 2020, the Memorial of St. Patrick.

 + Joseph E. Strickland
Bishop of Tyler

 Peyton Low
Chancellor

Lenten Reflection:

Jesus is the fullness of life, of holiness and of joy. He fills our days and nights with the love of His wisdom, so that we may bear the fruit of the beauty of His holiness, and be like a tree watered by running streams as we share in the Cross of the Lord who stands revealed as the Tree of Life.
 

Fountain Maintenance

We are looking for a volunteer to maintain the fountain at the cemetery. Please let Msgr Zack know if you are interested. Call the office at 903-935-2536.

Lenten Project 40 for 40

Each family is asked to collect one can of food package per day during the 40 days of Lent. You may drop them off at the church or office at any time. Benefits the Marshall Food Pantry.