A Message from Msgr. Torgerson Regarding Coronavirus Developments

March 13, 2020, 5:00 p.m.

Dear Sisters & Brothers,

Pope Francis, in a recent Mass, expressed to the faithful gathered: We ask the Lord today for the grace of not falling into indifference, the grace that all the information we have about human suffering might penetrate our hearts and move us to do something for others.

St. Monica is a community that must stay open as best we can to care and support the spiritual and emotional well-being of the faithful. I cannot help but be reminded of the 1994 Northridge earthquake. We were challenged then, on how to respond and care for our community. We prayed we would overcome and be stronger for it—and we were. I am hopeful that this too will be a challenge that will only make our community stronger.

Based on statements from Archbishop Gomez and the Dept of Catholic Schools,
the following outlines how our community is implementing their guidelines.

We are asking everyone to examine every aspect of our parish life, think creatively, and find ways to:

Modify · Accommodate · Postpone · (and if necessary or mandated) Suspend (M.A.P.S.)

Each of our ministry directors will inform teams, volunteers, and parishioners regarding their specific events and activities.

• If you’re sick or may have been exposed, seek medical attention—you do not need to attend Mass. Abp. Gomez has given dispensation to ALL Catholic faithful from obligation of attending Sunday Mass for the weekends of March 14–15, March 21–22, and March 28–29. 

• St Monica is adding in an additional Livestream of the Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass. This, along with the regular Sunday 5:30 p.m. will be available on-demand to watch at any time. Digital worship aids are available at stmonica.net/worshipaid

• Mass will still take place this weekend, following the guidelines of “social distancing,”
  • capacity in the church will be limited to allow six (6) feet between all households.
  • Grand Pavilion will have a live feed of the Mass -OR-
    an additional Priest celebrating Mass, to accommodate more attendees. Thank you, clergy!
  • Liturgical guidelines already in place—chalice, Lord’s Prayer, Rite of Peace—will continue.
  • Your continued financial support offers invaluable services to our parish community and is vital.
    Give online at stmonica.net/give

• We are adding three (3) additional Masses to the Sunday schedule, to accommodate these smaller gathering:
  6:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 3:00 p.m.

We hope this encourages you to continue your sacramental— knowing you can “pray where you are."

The Department of Catholic schools has given instruction that after today, students are to remain off-campus through March 31. Teachers will continue to teach. Students will continue to learn, utilizing all resources available for continued instruction. Both St. Monica Catholic High School and St. Monica Catholic Elementary School are committed to maintaining educational continuity and shifting to online learning platforms. Our President of the Schools, Kevin McCardle along with our Principals, James Spellman and Dr. Neil Quinly, are the best source of information regarding further developments. They have sent a statement to all school families (click here to read).