TOGETHER IN FAITH

Sign up for Flocknote, a digital communications tool, that the parish is using to keep touch in with parishioners. We invite parishioners to join Flocknote for FREE, to receive regular digital communications from the church via email or text, whichever method they choose.  Flocknote messages bring you important information about parish events, announcements, and Covid-19 protocol updates.  Father Juettner will also be announcing an exciting adult faith formation opportunity that is only available via Flocknote.  You can SIGN UP FOR FLOCKNOTE by texting STG133 to 84576 OR by emailing bookkeeper Lynn Johnston at ljohnston.stgeorge@gmail.com and providing your cellphone number and email address OR by clicking on this link:  https://ChurchofStGeorge1.flocknote.com/Parishioners

Church of St. George Guide to Returning to Masses & End of Dispensation 

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. Read about this decision, and find examples of special circumstances when a dispensation would still apply in Archbishop Hebda’s Letter to the Faithful (English):
https://archspmmainsite.s3.amazonaws.com/News/COVID19/RETURN+TO+MASS+LETTER+6-3-2021.pdf
Archbishop Hebda’s Letter to the Faithful (en Español):
https://archspmmainsite.s3.amazonaws.com/News/COVID19/RETURN+TO+MASS+LETTER+6-3-2021-SPANISH.pdf

The bishops do realize that there are reasons why a Catholic might continue to have a dispensation from the Sunday obligation, including when he or she is ill, serving as caretaker for one who cannot attend Mass, or required to quarantine. These faithful who do not attend Mass in person are asked to find a Mass on TV, the radio or online and make a Spiritual Communion. Where that is not an option, it would be appropriate to pray the Liturgy of the Hours or the Rosary. But for most of us, it is time to return to worshipping with others and receiving Holy Communion.

While livestreaming, watching Mass on TV, and listening to it on the radio have been suitable ways to celebrate the Lord’s Day when we could not come together in person and will continue to have their place when necessary, they lack one key piece: Jesus Himself. During the holy sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus Christ becomes truly present in the Eucharist. The bread and wine are not simply signs that lead us to Christ, but completely transform into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

MASS PROCEDURES

Stay home if you or household member is sick: Anyone who feels sick, has an unexplained cough, or has a fever must stay at home.  Anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19, who has any symptoms of Covid-19 including loss of taste or smell, and anyone living with someone who has tested positive or is symptomatic, must quarantine for 14 days.  All parishioners should continue to follow hygienic practices both at home and church by washing or sanitizing their hands often, avoiding touching their faces, and covering coughs and sneezes. Hand sanitizer is available at the entrances and where Holy Communion is distributed.  

These are St. George’s current policies:

• MASKING: Starting 5/22, masks will not be required, according to direction from the Office of Worship, “Those fully vaccinated are not at significant risk for contracting or spreading the coronavirus and need no longer wear facemasks” except in places where it is legally mandated — Long Lake does not have a local mask mandate.  “Those not vaccinated are safer if they continue to wear masks” but are not required to do so. “Individuals who are more comfortable wearing a facemask may continue to do so.”  Eucharistic Ministers will continue to wear masks when they distribute communion.
• DISTANCING:  Starting May 29/30, barriers will be removed from the main section of pews in the church, as well as on the north part of the choir side.  To allow those who are more comfortable continuing to distance, the barriers will remain on the west side of the church.  We will also maintain the divider down the middle of the choir side pews since we are still required to maintain a 12 foot distance between our music ministry and congregants.
• WEEKDAY MORNING MASSES, Tuesday-Friday:  Starting on June 1st, morning Masses at 8:30am will resume the four-day schedule.
• CONFESSIONS IN THE CONFESSIONAL: Starting on June 1st, Reconciliation will no longer take place in the library but will move back to the Confessional.  Reconciliation takes place each Wednesday from 6pm-7pm and each Saturday from 3:00pm-3:45pm.  

Communications: All plans and procedures are subject to change — please see our website for the most up-to-date information.  

Please click on the link Covid-19 Parish Update page for further resources during this difficult time.

CHURCH OFFICE SUMMER HOURS:

The parish office will be open this summer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am-12pm and by appointment.  Parish staff will be in the office at other times as well, so be sure to send an email or leave a message on the church voicemail so that a staff member can call you back.  

 The parish will also continue to facilitate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to those who request it.  Please contact the pastor, by email: juet79@gmail.com or parish emergency line:  612-356-2246 to detail the circumstances of the patient or resident and entry requirements to hospital/senior care center.  Contact the nurses station to learn how to contact the resident chaplain on duty.   

CONTINUED FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Please click here to read an important message from Father Mark Juettner and the Finance Council: Stewardship 

We ask that you prayerfully consider continuing to support the parish’s ongoing ministries and operations by mailing in your envelope or setting up electronic donations online. To participate in online giving, click here:  Online Giving

STAY CONNECTED

We are here to support you spiritually and to provide updated information and resources:

• Watch for emails with current information.   If you are not currently receiving emails from us, contact the parish office at info@stgeorgelonglake.org or 952-473-1247.
• The parish office will continue to produce a weekly bulletin and post it on this website.  Bulletins can be found under Our Parish in the menu at the top of the homepage.  If you know someone who would cannot access the bulletin online but would like to receive a bulletin, please have that person call the parish office. 
• Sign up for Flocknote, a digital communications tool, that the parish is adopting to keep touch in with parishioners. We invite parishioners to join Flocknote for FREE, to receive regular digital communications from the church via email or text, whichever method they choose.  You can SIGN UP FOR FLOCKNOTE by texting STG133 to 84576 OR by emailing bookkeeper Lynn Johnston at  ljohnston@stgeorgelonglake.org and providing your cellphone number and email address OR by clicking on this link:  https://ChurchofStGeorge1.flocknote.com/Parishioners

EMERGENCY LINE TO FATHER JUETTNER: To report an after-hours medical emergency and request the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick or to report a death when the office is not open, please call 612-356-2246 and leave a detailed message with a call back number. Google Voice will ask you to state your name and then will connect you with the emergency line voicemail.  Leave a detailed message with a call back number so that Father Juettner can call you back.

Mission Statement: We express and embrace the Divine Will in caring for each other, liturgy, Eucharistic Adoration, ministries, stewardship, outreach, social gatherings and prayer. 

 Please join us – all are welcome!

Church of St. George
133 North Brown Road
Long Lake, MN 55356

info@stgeorgelonglake.org
Phone: 952- 473-1247

Emergencies only: 612-356-2246