St. Joseph Catholic Church

   Lifting the General Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Mass 

   Statement of the Bishops of the Province of Baltimore, which includes the Richmond Diocese, and Archdiocese of Washington in lifting the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass. Effective date is June 26/27.

Read joint statement: https://bit.ly/3c9rFus

En Español: https://bit.ly/3g30X7V



 

• • Masks – Fully Vaccinated. Effective May 15, 2021, fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in any setting. In addition, fully vaccinated people do not need to supply proof of vaccination; parishes will not ask to see or check vaccination cards.
  • Masks – Unvaccinated. All present for the liturgy ages 5 and older must cover their mouth and nose with a mask when present for any Mass or liturgical celebration. Masks include disposable, surgical masks that are worn on one occasion. Individuals who cannot wear a mask due to health reasons must speak directly with their pastor to receive an exception. Documentation of the medical need is not required.
  • Those participating in Masses (priests, deacons, lectors, etc.) will be following these guidelines as well.
  • You will NOT be asked if you have been vaccinated or not.

• • No longer required to disinfect after each Mass. (We will return to our pre-COVID cleaning routines.)
  • There will still be hand sanitizer available for use.
  • Mass attendees will no longer be screened at entrances.
  • No longer required to social distance! We will still have seating in the Social Hall.
  • Worship Aides can now be reused.
  • The distribution of the cup remains suppressed for deacons and the lay faithful until further notice.
  • We are continuing the practice of refraining from holding hands during the Our Father and shaking hands during the Sign of Peace.

DISPENSATION FROM THE OBLIGATION TO ATTEND MASS
Though capacity limits for liturgies is lifted effective May 28, 2021 and those fully vaccinated may attend liturgical celebrations without a mask, some members of the faithful may not feel comfortable at liturgical celebrations with unmasked attendees or their attendance may be challenging due to conditions set forth in the existing Executive Order (e.g., fully vaccinated parents whose children must wear masks who are over the age of 5 and/or unvaccinated), Bishop Knestout continues to dispense all of the faithful of the Diocese of Richmond from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days until further notice.

LIVESTREAM—10:30AM MASS
We will still be livestreaming 10:30am Mass for those who still cannot attend Mass in person.

more information visithttps://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/20349/documents/2021/5/ReIntegration_LiturgicalGuidelines_effective05282021.pdf
 
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DISCLAIMER
Due to COVID-19, Mass is being live streamed for use on various Diocesan digital media accounts of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, including, but not limited to, the websites of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond and The Catholic Virginian, and social media platforms of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. Photography and/or screenshot images from the livestream may be used for The Catholic Virginian print edition.  If you do not wish to be captured by live streaming, please refrain from attending that particular Mass time.  

Please support your parish using online. All proceeds from the donation page listed below will go directly to the parish of your choice. Please make sure to select the Saint Joseph –Martinsville 572. Thank you for your support. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7 
 
Please add these requests to your daily prayer intentions:   Anna Towarnicki, Thérese Minnoe, Lauck Ward,  Porky Ashbrook, Carolyn Carr, help finding job,  safe travels, Theresa Biggs,  Ann White, Drane Lewis, Stone Ellen Mary, Ann Gunter, Mark Szulecki, Carolyn Eanes,  Rita M. Brozozowski, Theresa McGarry, Jim reaghard,Margaret Cunningham, Tim Hallandsworth, Lena Martin,Ruth Weaver, Do Lie Toppled, Lauren Teresa, Jim Tobin and Mike Harris.

  Do not take unnecessary risks during bad weather. Check Wdbj7 or St. Joseph's facebook page for any closings and cancellations.