Cardinal Cupich has given an update on the reopening plans for parishes in the Archdiocese

Yesterday, Governor Pritzker announced that all of the four Restore Illinois health regions have reached the required health benchmarks for advancing to Phase 3 (in the State), which begins today, May 29. He also issued guidance for reopening churches. That guidance can be found at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/places-worship-guidance.

The bishops of the Chicago Province will review this document and will communicate as soon as possible any decisions that go beyond the Plan we have in place. Parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago can celebrate (Baptism, Reconciliation, Weddings, Funerals for 10 people or fewer), but not Phase II (weekday and weekend Masses and groups larger than 10) until further notice.

I do anticipate that I will be able to provide you an update on opening churches for Phase II early next week. However, until the bishops have a chance to review the guidance offered and I confer with our Task Force, I ask for your full cooperation and support in staying with the Plan the bishops have already approved, keeping in mind the value of our unity and our responsibility to keep our people safe.

Saint Catherine Laboure parish, will be able to celebrate baptism, confessions, funerals and weddings for now. I hope we can have daily and Sunday Masses sometime in the next couple weeks.

Please remain patient as we start the reopening of our parish.

To read the full re-opening plan - click here

Below are the Parish office personnel email addresses:

• Pastor Fr. Lara: pastor@stcatherinelaboure.com
• Administrative Assistant: secretary@stcatherinelaboure.com
• Business Manager: businessmanager@stcatherinelaboure.com
• Religious Ed: srnadiya@stcatherinelaboure.com
• Liturgy Chair: liturgy@stcatherinelaboure.com
• Bulletin Editor: bulletin@stcatherinelaboure.com
• Music Ministry: music@stcatherinelaboure.com

We will continue to monitor the situation and update you if things change. We appreciate your understanding of this very fluid situation.

To watch Catholic Mass at home, click on one of the following sources:

• For the SCL Daily and Sunday Mass - click here

  (You made need to refresh this browser page to update this link each day)

Other online Catholic Mass sources

• Mercy Home
• EWTN Daily Mass and Readings
• Relevant Radio
• Broadcast Masses from The Archdioces of Chicaago

To support the SCL parish offertory, the Coronavirus Emergency Fund or both as your means allow - click here.

To Gain a Plenary Indulgence:

The Holy See, on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, under the Apostolic Penitentiary grants a special Plenary Indulgence during this time to all those suffering from the Coronavirus, including all health care workers, all family members and even all those praying for them through a spirit detached from any sin, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity toward their brothers and sisters, they can unite spiritually, through the media, to the celebration of Holy Mass, recitation of the Holy Rosary, the pious practice of the Way of the Cross, Eucharistic Adoration, the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet or other forms of devotion imploring Almighty God to an end of this epidemic, provide relief to those afflicted and Eternal Salvation to those whom God has called home to Himself.
Click here to read the full Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary

To make a daily Holy Hour view EWTN's live Eucharistic Adoration from 8 AM TO 5 PM CT
For live, 24 Hour Adoration from Tyburn Convent in the UK -click here

The Archdiocese of Chicago is asking all Catholics to unite in prayer during the Coronavirus pandemic at five times per day. The prayers are listed below:

• 9 a.m. - Prayer for those infected with the virus and all who are ill Lord, place your healing hand on those who suffer illness. Bring them to full health and ease their anxious hearts. May our prayer and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary encourage them that they are not alone. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN
• 12 p.m. - Prayer for health care workers and those attending to the sick Lord, we are ennobled by those who put their lives at risk in caring for the sick. Keep them safe and embolden them when they are weary. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN
• 3 p.m. - Prayer for first responders and essential workers Lord, we pray for those who run to danger to keep us safe and those who serve the common good. Embrace them with your mantle of protection and comfort the fears of their families. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN
• 6 p.m. - Prayer for people of every nation and their leaders Lord, the pandemic opens our eyes to see each other as brothers and sisters in one human family. We pray for people of every nation and their leaders, asking that they be inspired to seek the good of all and quell the voices of division. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN
• 9 p.m. - Prayer for those who have died today Lord, we grieve the passing of our sisters and brothers who have died this day. We commend them to your tender mercy, confident that nothing, not even death, will separate us from your love. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN

The easiest way to be reminded at each of the 5 hours is to setup the alarm feature on your phone.

Here are two prayers to Our Blessed Mother in our time of need

Click here to see Cardinal Cupich Message regarding the halting of all services and activities in the Archdiocese of Chicago

Update: Cardinal Cupich with a special message for our school children and their families.

Liturgical Ministries

Our worship will be richer if you join us in one or more of these liturgical ministries:
Eucharistic Minister: Contact Amalou Lim at amalou8@yahoo.com.
Lector: Contact Bill or Carol Cook at carolcook05@comcast.net.
Usher: Contact Tommy Fitzgibbon at tfitzgib@aol.com.
Altar Server: For students ages 9-17, contact Jessie Kunnel at SCLservers@yahoo.com.

You can also reach any of the above people through Flocknote.

Mass for the Homebound

Mass for Those Who Are Homebound
Heart of the Nation Sunday TV Mass brings spiritual comfort and the blessings of joy-filled hope in our Risen Savior. Please let people know they can tune in to Catholic Mass on WJYS, Channel 62 at 10:00am, on WCUU, Channel 26.2 at 6:30am, or online at this link: Heart of the Nation

What SCL will do when it's safe for Masses to resume:

• All priests, deacons, altar servers and ministers of Holy Communion will wash their hands before Mass begins and use hand sanitizer before and after distributing Holy Communion.
• All ciboria, once purified, will be washed with soap and hot water after each use.
• The sharing of Holy Communion via the cup will be temporarily discontinued.
• All holy water fonts will be empty for a while.

What you can do when Masses resume:

• Refrain from holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer
• Refrain from physical contact during the Sign of Peace; instead, wave or nod and smile
• Receive Holy Communion reverently in open hands (rather than on the tongue) for now
• If you are sick or are experiencing symptoms of sickness, you are not obliged to attend Mass, and out of consideration of others you ought not to attend. Check local television listings for Masses that are broadcast.

Other common sense hygiene practices that can help:

• Wipe off door knobs, light switches, cabinet knobs, refrigerator handles, microwave, stove and oven controls, cupboards and drawer handles and all other handles and common surfaces in your home as well as remote controls, your phone, computer keyboards, mice, peripherals and other frequently touched items with a disinfectant wipe or disinfectant sprays to keep your home as germ free as possible.
• Wear a home made mask (see Youtube.com) when out in the public to prevent spreading the virus
• Wash your hands and your face mask as the very first thing you do when entering your home after being out in the public before touching anything in your home. Then wipe off the faucet handles, door knobs and car keys/FOB that you used before washing.
• Do not touch your face in public or with unwashed hands
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow
• No hand shaking and keep a reasonably safe space when conversing
• Carry hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in your car or purse
• Wipe down at least once your car steering wheel, door handles and lock buttons, shift knob, all control buttons and seat belt buckles with a disinfectant wipe
• If you can, use hand sanitizer each time you return to your car in public before touching any controls and seat belts
• Wipe down your groceries when you return from the store with a disinfectant wipe
• When using public restrooms and after washing your hands, use the paper towel to wipe off the faucet handles and the soap dispenser (if these aren't touch free devices) and then use another to open the door and wipe off the door knob as you leave. If there are only hand air dryers, use the hand sanitizer after using the exit door

Here's a very informative video why washing hands for 20 seconds is so important -> Proper hand washing
How long is 20 seconds? Say the Lord's prayer ("The Our Father") as you wash.