CORRECTION
It has been brought to our attention that since the Anne Arundel County Council made their decision the County Health Officer, Nilesh Kalyanaraman, has issued an Order for Public Safety overriding the decision and reinstating the mask mandate until January 31st, 2022. A copy of the order can be found on the county Dept. of health website here. With this news, it is required that masks be worn when coming to Mass or anytime inside our buildings.
Sorry for any confusion.
Thank you,
Father Paul
Dear Friends
As of this writing the Anne Arundel County Council did not extend the mask mandate at it’s emergency session held earlier today. We will now go back to following the guidance given to parishes prior to the mandate from the Archdiocese of Baltimore: In light of the ongoing pandemic, and due to the dramatic rise in the number of cases recently reported, we would strongly encourage EVERYONE (regardless of vaccination status) to wear a MASK at Mass. Extra masks will be available if you need one.
Although masking is neither mandated nor required in Anne Arundel County, please wear a mask out of concern and consideration for those who may not be vaccinated, or who may not be able to be vaccinated (children under 5 years old). All Priests, Deacons and Liturgical Ministers in the Archdiocese of Baltimore will continue to be masked and use hand sanitizer during Masses.
Please use the hand sanitizer stations located in the Narthex, Food Pantry entrance and the Parish Center.
With the celebration of the Lord’s Baptism this weekend, the Christmas season comes to a close. Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved Son and emerges from the waters of the Jordan River to begin his work as our Redeemer. We rejoice at the birth of the Savior... how much more overjoyed are you by the Lord’s saving words, saving deeds, and abiding presence in your life today? As we begin the season called “Ordinary Time,” we no longer have the image of the stable of Bethlehem to gaze upon in wonder (unless, like me, you leave your Christmas decorations up just a little while longer...), so we have to train our vision to recognize his saving presence at work in us in the here-and-now. Especially in these latest difficult days, let us rejoice in the small ways in which we find consolation, hope, and the strength of perseverance.
This weekend is the special collection in support of Special Care for Diocesan Priests. This annual collection provides funding for priests in the Archdiocese of Baltimore who require special medical care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as well as for those priests – regardless of age – who are convalescing following surgery, serious injury or illness. Please take an envelope from the narthex or make a donation online at this link through GiveCentral.
At all Masses this weekend, Matt Fritsch will be inviting you to volunteer for Winter Relief scheduled for February 7-14. Please consider giving your time, talent and treasure to this effort for our community!
Finally, the School of the Incarnation will be having an Open House on Saturday, January 29 from 8:30am-11am. Their address is 2601 Symphony Lane, Gambrills MD 21054. For information about SOTI please visit the website www.SchooloftheIncarnation.org or call 410-519-2285
Have a good week!
Fr. Paul
A reminder....
Don’t forget to use hand sanitizers in the Narthex and now, when you enter the church at the Food Pantry entrance.
As usual, we will continue to live-stream Mass (Mon—Thurs at 9:00am and Sunday at 9:30am) on the parish Facebook (link) and uploaded on YouTube (link), and our parish website, https://www.seaseton.org/Resources/Media. If you do not have Facebook but wish to watch our livestream, click here for instructions.