Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH

1 April 2020

Dear Parishioner(s)…

I hope this letter finds you well.  I apologize that it is generic, but we won’t have to sort labels.  I also apologize for the tardiness in writing, but it seems like things change daily with the governor and the archbishop.

First of all, the Archdiocese of Detroit issued its first directive on 23 March 2020. Then, the Vatican issued directives two days later.  Then, the archdiocese updated things on Monday, March 30^th.  So, here is my best summary, which could have changed by the time you receive this letter. 

Archbishop Vigneron told us to close the parish offices, following Governor Whitmer’s executive order.  (The superintendent ordered the schools closed in line with the order.) The archbishop asked us to keep the parish churches open for prayer and clean, which requires daily attention.  The side door is unlocked from 7am-8:30pm.  PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK. I had to put a note on the door addressing this.

All funeral, weddings, and baptisms are suspended during this time.  We are permitted to do Graveside services (committals).  Baptisms are permitted in danger of death and may be done by their loved one at the hospital or at home, using water and pronouncing the words “their name, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Priests are to celebrate private Mass daily and to fulfill the Mass intention for that day.  A private Mass does not mean “without a congregation”, so he permitted a small number (up to 10) of assistants (musician, cameraperson, server).  I’ve tried to include our deacon in a number of things.  I must also follow the “safe environment policy”, so the altar boys have to have their parents present, unless they are over 18 years of age. 

Archbishop Vigneron asked us to continue to hear private confessions using our best judgement for the arrangement.  General absolution is not permitted.  The Sacrament of the Sick is permitted in danger of death; however, we are limited by the hospital or care facility admission policy.

Parish Confirmations for the remainder of 2020 have been suspended with the hope we will be able to resume them again once the stay home order is lifted and they are able to reschedule. 

I have tried to communicate the Confession Schedule and when I am livestreaming the Masses through the Immaculate Conception Facebook page.  We have uploaded a few things on the parish website.  I will try to include the Masses on YouTube (provided I can figure out how to upload them). 

Holy Week has been limited by the Vatican and the Archdiocese of Detroit.  All of the Masses will be done privately with the necessary assistants.  I hope to have a number of our Masses livestreamed.

Palms are not to be distributed in the parish during the executive order and may be distributed at a later time.  (I will see if we are able to distribute them if we follow the social distancing guidelines either later on Palm Sunday or during Holy Week.  If so, they will be on tables spread out in church.)  Our Palm Sunday Mass will be livestreamed at 10am and Noon.

The Chrism Mass will be celebrated privately by the archbishop and livestreamed from Blessed Sacrament Cathedral on Monday, April 6^th at 7pm.  See the Archdiocese of Detroit’s website.  The Holy Oils will be distributed through the Vicars. 

On Thursday, April 9^th, The Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be at 7pm both here and the Cathedral and will be livestreamed.  There will not be a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to an Altar of Repose, but will be left in the tabernacle on the high altar in church. 

The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, April 10^th, will be at 3pm and livestreamed.  Per the clarification issued March 30th, only the celebrant may kiss the crucifix.  All others are to genuflect as a sign of veneration.  The crucifix will be left on the altar for veneration from 4:30pm on.  Please do not enter the Sanctuary to venerate it.

The Easter Vigil (modified according to the directives from Rome and Detroit) may be livestreamed here beginning at 9pm.  The completion of the Initiation of the Catechumens and Candidates in the RCIA will take place at a later date.

Easter Sunday Mass, April 12^th will be livestreamed at 10am and noon.  The archbishop will livestream his Mass at 11am from the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. 

I will have Confessions on Monday, April 6^th and Tuesday, April 7^th from noon – 1pm, 3-4pm, and 7-8pm.

I would like to commend my staff at the parish and school for their hard work and flexibility under these present circumstances, especially the teachers and catechists who have had to adapt o instruction from home.    

Finally, I would like to thank those who have been volunteering their time, talent, and treasure.  I would be impossible to name them all, but a big thanks to the IC Food Pantry and The St. Martha’s cleaning crew for their work in serving the parish and community.  Also, a number of people have been sending or dropping their envelopes off and we have been adding more to the online giving through We-share.  Thank you for helping us keep the lights on.  There have been a few that have written notes of support and I received a cute picture from a little one, who misses being at Mass that I posted on my Facebook page. 

Thank you… Fr. Brian Hurley

The Rectory will be closed March 24th until May 18th upon the executive order Governor Whitmer issued 3/23/2020.  Continue to monitor this website and our Facebook page, Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Parish for upadates as they become available. 

God Bless us all keep the faith.