This message follows Bishop Carl Kemme's announcement of Sunday, May 3rd regarding Phase One resumption of Holy Masses Within the Diocese of Wichita.  As noted in the Bishop's announcement, and attachments, Phase One covers the period of Wednesday May 6 through Wednesday May 20.

Below are links to a letter from Father Sam Pinkerton regarding local Mass schedules, beginning Monday, May 11.   This letter, and Bishop Kemme's attachment, have also been mailed to all members of St. Francis and St. Ambrose parishes.

At right is a photographic (JPG) image of Father's letter that can be enlarged, or you can follow THIS LINK to download the the letter, in PDF format, to your computer or device.   

Here are some important take-away messages from the letter:​

1. The weekday Mass schedule, for both parishes resumes Monday, May 11, as it was before.   
2. Subsequent to the letter being mailed, it was decided that Eucharistic Adoration Will Not Resume at this time.
3. Our church capacity will be substantially reduced because of social distancing requirements.  Therefore, the weekend schedule will include five Masses, all of which will be offered at St. Francis.
4. Social distancing and occupancy requirements directed by the diocese, and health officials, will be strictly enforced in both buildings.

Please read the letter carefully to understand the schedules and requirements we must follow to allow us to return to some level of normalcy during this difficult period.  The enclosure referred to in Father Sam's letter is included in the Proposal and Guidelines previously provided; and that file is linked HERE again for convenience. [1]

Please be reminded — at this time there continues to be no obligation to attend Holy Mass on Sunday.  If you are turned away because of capacity restrictions, or are among the high-health-risk population you should pray privately, view Holy Mass on EWTN or other sources.

Note 1.  The last three pages of the enclosure titled: "Guidelines for Resuming of Public Masses In the Catholic Diocese of Wichita ...." provide specific guidelines and restrictions regarding entry, seating, spacing, etc.

On Sunday, May 3rd, 2020, Bishop Carl Kemme announced his intention to resume public Masses, in phases, Beginning May 6.  The announcement, which was released on the Diocese website, included:

• A video recorded statement from Bishop Kemme,
• The written content of his statement,
• A Proposal For Resuming Mass in the Diocese of Wichita,
• Guidelines for Resuming Mass in the Diocese of Wichita.

The May 3rd announcement, in its entirety, is Linked HERE.  It is noted that with his announcement Bishop Kemme emphasized:

The Proposal and Guidelines have since been provided as a single PDF document that can be downloaded HERE. This document describes Phase One of Mass resumption, during the time frame of May 6 through May 20, 2020.  The proposal allows individual pastors to start at a later date if more time is required for preparation.

The St. Francis - St. Ambrose parish office has tailored the guidelines for our specific purpose and facilities.  Those guidelines are being mailed to all members of both parishes.  They will also be posted on the parish website soon.

The COVID-19 crisis is a difficult period requiring many changes in the way we worship.  We must remain flexible and patient in the days ahead.
​

"Put your gifts at the service of one another."  1 Peter 4:10  ​

On Friday, May 1, a prayer of consecration will be offered on behalf of the entire United States of America by the Most Reverend Jose H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 

The prayer of consecration incorporates language used in consecrations of Popes Pius XII, John Paul II, and Francis, and also from prayers from Masses of the Virgin Mary.

At the same time as the Archbishop's prayer; Bishop Carl Kemme will  consecrate the Diocese of Wichita.  Bishop Kemme invites all faithful of our diocese to join him in a live-stream video. 

See Instructions below for downloading the Prayer of consecration, and a link to the live-stream.

​DAILY MASSES continue to be celebrated privately for the intentions that have been scheduled:

​Sun.      4-26       3rd Sunday of Easter - People of the Parish
Mon.     4-27        + Henry & Catherine Smith
Tue.       4-28       No Mass
Wed.     4-29      + Alex Treiber
Thur.      4-30      + Ann Smith
Fri.          5-1 +      Betty Coomes
Sat.        5-2         + Bill & Lou Spielbusch
Sun.       5-3         4th Sunday of Easter - People of the Parish

DRIVE-UP CONFESSIONS: Confessions will be heard on the west side of the St. Francis Rectory every Saturday from 4:30-5:15 p.m.; and every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. until all are heard. Follow the signs and cones and remain in your vehicle.  If traffic allows, exit north on the gravel drive toward Carroll Street.  Click HERE for more information.

Bulletins will be in the back of both churches every week; and are always available on our website Home Page.

​Sun. 4-19        2nd Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy) - People of
                         the Parish
Mon. 4-20      + Charles & Betty Westhoff
Tue. 4-21         No Mass
Wed. 4-22     + Alex Treiber
Thur. 4-23      Mary Alice Diskin 90th Birthday
Fri. 4-24          + Bill & Jennifer Beachner
Sat. 4-25         + Rick Bowman
Sun. 4-26        3rd Sunday of Easter - People of the Parish

​Remember — As always, the weekly bulletin is posted on the home page of this parish website.  There are also copies of the bulletin in the back of both churches.

Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Thomas Weston who passed away; and to the family and friends of Mary Lou Beachner who passed away. Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them.​

Drive-Up Confessions are heard every Saturday evening and Sunday morning as described HERE.

DAILY MASSES will be continue to be celebrated privately for the intentions that have been scheduled:

Sun.     4-12     Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord - People of the                              Parish
Mon.    4-13     +  Ralph & Loretta Carter
Tue.      4-14     No Mass
Wed.   4-15     +  Betty Roberts
Thur.    4-16     +  Woody Holland
Fri.       4-17      + Pete & Marie Fager
Sat.     4-18      +  Jane VanLeeuwen
Sun.    4-19      2nd Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy) - People of the                            Parish

Remember — As always, the weekly bulletin is posted on the home page of this parish website.  There are also copies of the bulletin in the back of both churches.

Drive-Up Confessions are heard every Saturday evening and Sunday morning as described HERE.

Parish Organization Leaders: 
Our Joint-Parish website is about 3-1/2 years old and it has more than a year since we did a general site update.  Please take a moment to look at the part of the site that pertains to you and your organization, and update information as needed.  In many cases, this might just be name changes.  

Follow these links to check your individual page information:

Education (including, PSR, Catechesis, RCIA, Bible Study) 

Organizations:

• Altar Society - St. Ambrose
• Altar Society - St. Francis*
• Catholic Youth Ministry (Joint)
• Church Councils (St. Francis including Parish Council, Parish Finance Council)
• Church Councils (St, Ambrose including Parish Council, Parish Finance Council) 
• Daughters of Isabella (Joint)
• Harvest House (Joint)
• Knights of Columbus (Joint)*
• Stewardship Council (Joint)
• St. Francis Thrift Store (Joint)

Sacristan Teams:

• St. Ambrose
• St. Francis

Some Updates and Reminders  About COVID-19 the Situation:
​
Offertory/Tithe Change:
With the Stay-at-Home order now in effect, please do not mail your treasure - tithe.  Hold onto your envelopes until we are though this crisis.

Special Anointing Due to Surgery:
If you are going have a significant surgery, please call for Anointing of the Sick before you enter the hospital. 

Reminder:
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Parish Office is now closed to your physical presence and entrance.  To schedule Mass intentions or such, please call Jackie Harmon, our Parish Secretary, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday at 620-449-2224.

Weekly Mass Intentions and First "Abbreviated Bulletin."

Mass Intentions for Week of March 29 - April 3, 2020:
DAILY MASSES will be celebrated privately by Father Sam for the intentions that have been scheduled:

• Sat.    3-28   + Raymond “Rip” Fager
• Sun.   3-29     The 5th Sunday of Lent People of the Parish
• Mon.  3-30  + W.J. Auvigne
• Tue.    3-31    NO MASS
• Wed.  4-1   + Bob Beachner
• Thur.   4-2  + Ann Cost
• Fri.       4-3  + Rita Sanger
• Sat.     4-4    + For all deceased members of D of I
• Sun.    4-5    Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord People of the Parish

Abbreviated Bulletin:
As announced last week, the St. Francis, St. Ambrose bulletin has been abbreviated to only one page.  As usual, the bulletin is posted on the home page of this parish website; and is also linked below:​

​Dear People of Saint Francis and Saint Ambrose Parishes:

Due to the Coronavirus the Parish Office is now closed to your physical presence and entrance.

To schedule Mass Intentions or such, please call Jackie Harmon, our Parish Secretary, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m on Monday through Friday at:

620-449-2224

I love you, but God loves you more!
In Jesus with Mary, I remain,
Father Sam Pinkerton

Suspension of Masses and Other Events.
For those who are unaware, on March 17, Bishop Kemme suspended Masses, funeral luncheons, and other gatherings until further notice.  There are provisions for limited gatherings for funerals, baptisms, etc discussed in his LETTER.

Drive-Up Confession. 
Beginning Saturday, March 21, St. Francis has Drive Up Confession at the West entrance of the Rectory.  The confessions will be heard on Saturday afternoon from 4:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. as long as necessary.  Refer to THIS LINK for more information.

Bulletins & Parish News.
The bulletin for Sunday, March 22, is printed and on tables near the entry of both churches. They are not folded and Bishop Kemme's message of March 17 is on the right side of the page.  This will be the last printed bulletin until you are otherwise advised.   As always, this bulletin is posted on the home page of the parish website, https://www.stfrancis-stambrose.org/. 

​During the COVID-19 crisis period the bulletin will be reduced to a list of weekly private Mass intentions and special announcements.  This abbreviated bulletin will be posted on the home page of the parish website — usually by Friday afternoon, with earlier bulletins.  Parishioners who have friends or family without access to computers can print copies of these abbreviated bulletins for them.

Also, much of the recent news or events related to our churches, the diocese or The Vatican are provided at:

• The "NEWS" link of our parish website.  News articles are arranged chronologically beginning with the latest.  There is also a date and subject list at the right (of a monitor). News articles are made more accessible via the church Facebook page.
• The LINKS page of our parish website includes several links to The Vatican, The Vatican City State, The Diocese of Wichita, EWTN and other ministries and organizations.  Several of these pages, EWTN in particular, include links to Facebook pages that offer daily Mass, virtual Eucharistic Adoration and other features.
• Our parish Facebook page provides notifications as soon as items are posted.  Many of these posts are linked back to website articles — @SaintFrancisAmbrose. (See Note 1)

Offertory/Tithe.
Even during this time of suspension and decreased activity, our churches and other facilities are expensive to operate.  Air conditioning and heating systems continue to run, insurance premiums come due, maintenance is required and salaries must be paid.  We still need your support!

Please place your tithe in your church envelope, then  inside of a regular mailing envelope with your return address on that mailing envelope. This allows us to separate donations for the two church accounts, and ensures you are credited for your donation.  Mail to St. Francis Catholic Church, P.O. Box 216, St. Paul, KS 66771. DO NOT MAIL CASH. 

1.   A Note About Facebook:
The Saint Francis-Saint Ambrose Facebook page currently has 535 followers and the number is growing weekly.  These followers receive parish notifications regarding church events, cancellations, or the present COVID-19 crisis as they are posted.  Facebook is an instant link to parish news releases.

We understand some parishioners are reluctant to use, or are even afraid of, Facebook. There is no reason to fear our application, but some explanation is in order.

Facebook provides three levels of service:

1. ​Personal "Profiles."  This is the service that most Facebook users call "their page."   Profiles are not "Pages" as described in 3, below.  Many personal profiles are loosely controlled, with little personal security; and users CAN invite "Friends" to share in their posts and post comments.  The world of Facebook profiles has earned the term "vast wasteland" and probably for good reason.
2. Groups.  Facebook groups cater to organizations such as clubs, communities, associations, etc; and they have "Members".   Groups have tighter control and are generally as good, or as bad as the group moderators; and moderators have the authority to accept or reject member requests (members must have a Facebook profile).  They also have the authority to remove inappropriate posts; and to remove or ban members.  Local groups such as the Hometown St. Paul Kansas and the Meanwhile in Walnut, KS community pages are well moderated.
3. Pages.  The Facebook "Page" is a specialized business application that can be customized and tightly controlled.  Generally people join from invitations and are "Followers."  Pages are used by businesses such as manufacturers, entertainers, specialty retailers, and many churches and church organizations.  The Catholic Diocese of Wichita and some of its internal organizations use Facebook to communicate with followers.  While the Pope has not yet embraced Facebook, there are several unofficial Vatican pages.

If you have family or friends who are reluctant, but do have access to a computer or smart phone, you could help them by explaining the above; and setting them set up with a basic Facebook profile account.  In lieu of friends:

• Help them "Like" The St. Francis - St. Ambrose Page
• Help them "Like" Southeast Kansas Catholics Page
• Help the "Join" the St. Paul and Walnut community groups (or others as appropriate).

This combination of pages and groups will help them stay in touch with events during these uncertain times.

Beginning Saturday, March 21, Father Pinkerton will hear confessions from the west Rectory entrance for people parked in the driveway.  The spacing from Father to the planned parking spot allows safe distancing to prevent spread of disease.  The Confession Schedule is:

• Saturdays, Beginning March 21 — 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.*
• Sundays, Beginning March 22 — 9:30 a.m. until all confessions are heard.*
• This will continue each Saturday and Sunday for as long as necessary*

​* Beginning Saturday, May 16, Drive-Up Confessions Will Be Heard On Saturdays, From 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ONLY.  Because of Increased Weekend Mass Schedule, Sunday Confessions Will Not be Heard

Illustrations and instructions below describe the entry-exit procedure; and the use of a waiting area to ensure adequate privacy during confession.
​

​An Announcement of March 17, 2020 Regarding Suspension of All Catholic Masses, and Other Services, In The Diocese of Wichita, Until Further Notice.

​Being handed a roll of this candy is a reminder that you can make a difference in the lives of women facing crisis pregnancies.

​The familiar Life Saver candy was invented in 1912 by Clarence Crane of Garrettsville, Ohio. He was looking for a hard-candy alternative to chocolate that melted during hot Ohio summers.  Their shape was similar to life rings used on boats and around swimming areas.  As they became popular, a roll of the candies was a "lifesaver" for the occasional sweet-tooth attack.

A New Meaning.
In recent years, the word "Lifesaver" has taken a more literal meaning.  Knights of Columbus members, across the nation, don their familiar aprons and meet parishioners at church doors, after Mass, with the cash-can in hand.  Being handed a roll of the candy is a reminder that you can make a difference in the lives of women facing crisis pregnancies.  

The difference an ultrasound machine makes is frequently the difference between a mother keeping or aborting her baby. It is hard to deny the humanity of an unborn baby when confronted with a face, a nose, a heart, ten fingers and ten toes.  In October of 2019, the Knights of Columbus announced that it's Ultrasound Initiative has placed 1,134 ultrasound machines — valued at more than $54 million — in all 50 states, Mexico, Canada and countries in South America and Africa.  Thousands of babies have been saved and and the lives of countless mothers, fathers, and families have been enhanced thanks to the work of the Knights.

Closer to home, the Kansas State Council has set a 2019-2020 goal of raising $450,000 in donations for Culture of Life organizations and/or the Ultrasound Initiative.  Local Life Saver Sunday proceeds support clinics such as A Better Choice Pregnancy Center in Wichita. [1]

1. Source: Kansas State Council 2019 - 2020 Program & Membership Guide.
​
Photo is from KofC.org "Building a Culture of Life." (2019)

Photos: Diocese of Wichita.

​THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION for 36 PSR Students will be on Saturday, February 8th, at 1:00 p.m. This will take the place of the 5:30 p.m. Mass and will fulfill the Sunday obligation.

The practice for candidates and sponsors will be on Wednesday, February 5th, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the church. (If the sponsor cannot be there, please have a parent attend.) There is no reception after the Confirmation Mass. Please plan accordingly for this special day! Parents:

Please read the information about pictures on the back of the letter that was mailed home. Bishop Kemme will be bringing a photographer along that will take a group picture before Mass and individual pictures during the Anointing and after the ceremony with sponsor and parents. You must order these online. The Bishop requests that no photos be taken during the Mass other than by the professional photographer. More information on this will be given to students at practice.