July 21, 2020
May 22, 2020
Dear St Catherine of Siena Parish Family, The peace, and blessing of Jesus Christ!
I am grateful to you for all your love and support of St. Catherine of Siena Church, and especially for keeping me in your prayers. I have started my vegetable garden in my backyard, I spend my free time in the garden. It has already started bearing fruit. Despite Covid19 last weekend we had around 500 people participate in Mass and received Holy Communion. We have 60 to 70 people participating in daily Mass. I appreciate all our Staff, Ushers, EMs, Lectors, and Cantors for their service and help to prayer. I have summarized the guidelines for Holy Mass issued by Bishop Michael Olson for the faithful, more details may be found on our website or the diocesan website. We will follow these guidelines at all our weekend and daily Masses.
- The faithful are dispensed from the obligation to attend and to participate in Sunday Mass.
- The faithful who are sick, exhibiting symptoms of any illness, or have been in contact with someone who is sick should not attend Mass.
- People over 60 are encouraged to participate in our live streamed Mass at 11:00AM.
- People in attendance at Mass MUST wear masks or scarfs over their mouths and nose inside the church to help prevent the spread of the virus.
- Social distancing (three feet) will be followed. Hand sanitizing is required before you can enter the church.
- Attendance has been raised to 50 percent. We can now allow a maximum of 400 people in the church at each Mass.
- At the end of Mass, people will be dismissed from their pews in an orderly fashion mindful of social distancing. Please do not linger or gather in groups.
- Distribution of Holy Communion outside Mass has been discontinued. Holy Communion will no longer be distributed after the 11 AM Mass.
- The venerable custom of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue is still not allowed during this phase of the pandemic.
- The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be on Saturday from 9.30 AM to 11 AM in Assisi Hall, and a mask is required to participate.
God bless you,
Fr. Sushil Tudu, TOR
April 29, 2020
Dear St. Catherine of Siena Parish Family,
I am happy to let you know that Bishop Olson has given me permission to celebrate Holy Mass and distribute Holy Communion this coming weekend, May 2/3. For the love of our brothers and sisters the Bishop has given us strict guidelines that must be followed.
- The Bishop is continuing to grant dispensation from attending Mass, if you are sick, vulnerable or not comfortable leaving your home.
- Holy Mass will be celebrated at our normal weekend times; Saturday at 5pm, and Sunday at 9am, 11am, and 5pm (11am mass will be live streamed).
- The Governor has ordered only 25 percent occupancy for religious services. This restriction means only 200 people can be seated. Once we reach our limit no one else will be allowed in the church.
- Social distancing must be maintained, so kindly follow the directions of the ushers when being seated, we have allocated special places for family, couples and individuals.
- A mask MUST be worn by all those attending Mass or receiving Eucharist in the parking lot. No one will be allowed in the Church without a mask.
- Holy Communion will only be distributed in the hand. Please wash and/or sanitize your hands upon arriving at the Church.
- We will distribute Holy Communion in the parking lot from 12:00-12:20 for those unable to attend Mass. For safety reasons we cannot begin distribution until everyone that attended the 11:00 Mass has exited the parking lot, so be patient with us.
- I know you miss visiting with your friends. Congregating in groups before or after Mass is strictly forbidden.
- We will have the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday, May 2 from 9:30-11:30 am in Assisi Hall. Those who come for confession Must wear a mask. There will be no Saturday afternoon confession.
- On weekdays we will have Mass at 8.30am. All the above guidelines will apply for daily Mass.
- Volunteers are needed for sanitizing the pews for the next Mass. If you want to help, please remain after Mass.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has announced it will join the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on May 1st in renewing the consecrations of the two nations to the care of our Blessed Mother. The renewal of consecration planned in this country for May 1st does not change the designation of Mary as the Patroness of the United States under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Rather, this prayer reaffirms and renews previous Marian entrustments, and unites us in solidarity with our Holy Father, who recently established the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, as a source of protection and strength.
“This will give the Church the occasion to pray for Our Lady’s continued protection of the vulnerable, healing of the unwell, and wisdom for those who work to cure this terrible virus,” said Archbishop Gomez in a letter to the U.S. bishops. Each year, the Church seeks the special intercession of the Mother of God during the month of May. “This year, we seek the assistance of Our Lady all the more earnestly as we face together the effects of the global pandemic,” he continued. USCCB President Archbishop José Gomez will lead a brief liturgy with the prayer of re-consecration on Friday, May 1 at 2:00 pm CST. Visit the USCCB’s social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to pray along with Archbishop Gomez.
St. Catherine of Sienna ….. pray for us,
Fr. Sushil Tudu, TOR
April 17, 2020
For what should I THANK God!
There are thousands of reasons to be thankful to God. I thank God for creating me in his image and likeness, for blessing me with wisdom and knowledge, for giving me many gifts and talents, for giving me a loving family, friends and staff at St. Catherine of Siena and for fulfilling my daily needs.
On Divine Mercy Sunday let us thank God for every seen and unseen gift, especially his love and mercy. The ultimate gift of God’s love and mercy can be seen on the Holy Cross when His Son Jesus made a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin for the entire world.
Dear brothers and sisters, on 19th April, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, I invite you to join me for praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 PM. We will be broadcasting on both YouTube and Facebook. Divine Mercy Sunday is the reminder of the mercy and redeeming love of our heavenly father. More than asking for mercy, it is time to experience His mercy. The devotion to Divine Mercy gives us strength to fight against sin and temptation. We are aware that we are weak human beings and without God’s help and grace we will be miserable. Devotion to Divine Mercy also should make us merciful, loving, and compassionate towards our brothers and sisters. Jesus himself is asking us, “Be merciful as your heavenly father is merciful”. (Luke 6:36)
I also want to remind you that St Vincent de Paul is continuing to serve those in need within our parish boundaries. The food pantry is open every Saturday from 10:00-12:00pm. If you would like to assist with their mission you can drop off canned goods and other essential items or make a monetary donation when the pantry is open. You can also donate to SVDP through Faith Direct on our website www.stcatherine.org or mail a check to the office. If you are planning to drive-by and drop off, put your donations in the trunk and stay in your car. A volunteer will unload your donations for you. For more information contact the SVDP hotline, 972-480-5287.
May your hearts be filled with the Mercy and Love of God,
Fr. Sushil Tudu, TOR
March 24, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena Church family, “We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.” (Psalm 33:20) During this time of crisis as one family we must put our trust and hope in the Lord. We must show solidarity and prudence for the common good of the society and the Church.
During this period of challenge when you are temporarily unable to receive the sacraments, you need to remain steadfast in faith. As a faithful community we need to pray to God; have daily family prayer, read the Word of God and meditate, say personal prayers and discern God’s will, on Fridays do the Stations of the Cross at home with your family, and make an act of Spiritual Communion often. The sacrament of the anointing of sick will continue to be available on request.
As you know St. Catherine of Siena operates because of your generous contributions. I’m asking you to continue your support through your regular contributions. Please, consider enrolling in Faith Direct at www.faithdirect.net using church code TX376. Other options include the use a bank draft or directly mailing your contribution to 1705 E. Peters Colony Rd. Carrollton, TX 75007.
The staff and I assure you of our prayers and support during this very trying time. For the latest updates and resources visit our website www.stcatherine.org. God Bless and stay safe!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Sushil Tudu, TOR