Dear fellow parishioners and friends,

Today, Ash Wednesday, we begin our Lenten journey with the distribution of ashes while these words are prayed over us: "Repent, and believe the Gospel." Ashes will be blessed and distributed at the 8:00 am and the 7:00 m Masses at both St. Anne and St. Joseph. Our schools, St. Anne and St. Bernadette will also receive ashes in the morning at a celebration of the Liturgy of the Word.

Pope Francis has also asked all Catholics and people of goodwill globally to fast and pray for peace in Ukraine. Prayer, fasting, and good works are the hallmarks of the Lenten Season. 

Some "good news". Please read the attachment from the Diocese, Updated Covid-19 Protocols. The important part is toward the end of the page, under, Effective March 1, 2022. Except for the continued wearing of face masks in Church, practically all other restrictions have been lifted. This means that we are returning to normal, to the way things were before Covid-19. Thank God! But we do need to proceed and re-open cautiously. 

Because many of the changes relate to singing in the Church, choir members will be hearing soon from the music directors about how they will proceed.

These changes will be explained at Sunday Mass but some of the main points are:

• no more cordoned off pews. We are at full capacity, (also for parish hall and meeting rooms) always respecting the comfort levels of returning parishioners and our need to continue to be vigilant with social distancing.
• Sides doors can now be used as well as the chairlifts.
• Holy water is available again and is in the fonts.
• All liturgical ministers will be able to resume their ministry with the next schedule. Vaccination is no longer a requirement.
• Masks are to be worn by all attending Mass and/or meetings, two years of age or older.
• Reception of Holy Communion will take place only at the front of the Church, centre aisle. Parishioners approach from the main aisle in 2 rows, receive Communion and return by way of the side aisle. 

To those who have had to stay away from the Sunday Eucharist in these months, we now say: "We missed you. Welcome back. Be nourished by Christ and the community."

See you today for the ashes: if not, then Sunday.
Blessings.
Fr. Brian


Full memo from the Diocese, Updated Covid-19 Protocols.