Our Mother Of Good Counsel Church issued the following announcement on Nov. 12.

Dear Friends,

Over the past few weeks, we have gradually seen an increase in the number of people coming to Mass. We are delighted to see this.

At the same time, we are very aware that the number of new cases of COVID-19 continues to rise. Because of this, we are redoubling our efforts to make in-person participation at Mass as safe as possible. Two weeks ago in this space, I mentioned that we were considering changing the arrangement of our pews from every third pew to every other pew being open. In light of the latest numbers, we are going to stick with every third pew.

Instead, we are going to promote the use of the Social Center as an overflow worship space. We have prepared this every week since we began in-person worship back in July. We have never needed to use it, but as the number of people coming to Mass increases, I think that using that space will become necessary. We have set up that space with socially distanced seats. There's a large-screen television where we will live-stream the Mass. A priest will bring communion at the appropriate time.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation. Our top priority is to keep everybody safe.  

By the way, the 11:15 Mass attendance remains well below 50 if you are looking for more social distancing.  Last week we welcomed 35 people to that Mass.   

Please continue to pray for Arjun Bedi as he prepares to receive his sacraments of initiation at the 11:15 Mass on Sunday, November 29. Father David Cregan will be the principal celebrant of that Mass and will confer the sacraments on Arjun.

You may have heard us pray for Fr. Jim Martinez.  He was in the hospital for a short while and is now in a rehab facility.  He is feeling quite well and expects to be home to St. Thomas Monastery in a day or too.  He appreciates our continued prayers.  

Next week, I will be away on retreat. Joe Carey will take my place writing the newsletter. He will get us up to speed on the bridge and the roof and other things that are going on. Please pray for me while I'm on retreat. I certainly will be praying for all of you every day.

Please let's also pray for our fellow parishioners.  More than a few among us are faced with extremely difficult challenges and burdens.  

Click here to view the bulletin for this coming Sunday.   

Christ’s peace, 

Friar Liam  

Original source can be found here.