Some COVID-19 Temporary Changes

The COVID-19 Crisis Is Causing a Lot of Changes In Our Lives and Within Area Parishes As Well.  Here Are a Few Things We Want Our St. Francis - St. Ambrose Parishioners to Be Aware Of.  These Changes Are Effective Immediately and There Could be More.

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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. 

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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.