August 3, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
I hope that all is going well with each one of you. I continue to keep you all in my daily thoughts and prayers. I also hope that you are able to safely travel during this summer break.
Here are some of the latest updates both from the diocese and also from our parish.
Some of the latest directives from the Diocese include:
Funeral Liturgy
It is important that when first contacted by the funeral home, the parish makes clear what its capacity is as well as the need for social distancing and wearing of masks. If there is concern that potential attendance may exceed that capacity consideration should be given to conduct the funeral by invitation only without public notice of day and time.
Baptisms
Are allowed to resume again — following the same guidelines for Masses.
Pastoral Minister Visits
As hospitals have now begun to lift visitor restrictions, parishes can begin to allow pastoral minister home visits. Such visits should follow all guidelines and are limited in time spent at home.
Some updates from our parish:
Rosary Conference Call
Just a friendly reminder that you can join us every week for our Rosary conference calls on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6:50 p.m.
Conference Phone to Call: 712-432-3900
Conference ID: 226058
So many people have found comfort in the Blessed Virgin Mary and praying her Rosary. We have heard feedback of many miracles through the power of prayer from these rosary conference calls. Please join us if you haven’t done so already.
Please also consider joining us again for Mass if you’re healthy enough to do so. We constantly clean and disinfect! Our church and hall is immaculate many thanks to our loyal volunteers.
Faith Formation
I have been working diligently with Lynda Daniele, our Catechetical Leader, along with a brand new Faith Formation planning committee which consists of six people. We are trying to come up with a plan for Faith Formation in the fall.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel our high school senior Mass because we only heard back from one family. Once we cancelled, a few other families came forward and said that they would have attended the Mass but we didn’t hear from them until it was cancelled.
A survey was also sent out to all parents and guardians concerning how to proceed forward with Faith Formation in the fall. We only received six responses out of 80-85 surveys. We realize that you are very busy and overwhelmed. We as a parish family care about you and want to do all that we can to support you and provide for your spiritual needs and the needs of your children.
However, we desperately need your feedback so that we can move forward. Our Faith Formation planning committee is making phone calls so that we can reach out to you in a more personal way. Please provide us with feedback so that we can make informed decisions moving forward. September will be here before you know it. Many thanks for your cooperation with this. Please also keep this situation in your daily prayers!
Weekly Offertory
First and foremost, many thanks to all those who have been consistently supporting our parish both with your prayers and your financial donations during these tough economic times. This past week our collection was down approximately 75%. Our expenses need to be paid from recurring income so that we can avoid going into parish savings which should only be used for true emergencies and certain maintenance projects. If we tap into savings to make up a deficit, eventually our savings will be drained. I know that we can come together as a parish family and increase our weekly offertory. We are still accepting mailing in your weekly or monthly donation, having your bank send us a check directly, or use our new online giving option available on our parish website.
Parish Projects Completed
Lastly, the following article was published a few weeks ago in the parish bulletin. I put this in the bulletin so that you can actually see where your Improvement Fund envelopes are being put towards. Thank you for being generous to the Improvement Fund to ensure that proper maintenance is being done to our buildings and grounds!
I am delighted to announce to the parish that I have officially been presiding as pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish for one year as of July 1st. I so enjoy being a part of this wonderful church, parish, and community of faith. I thank everyone for welcoming me with open arms and helping & supporting me in so many challenges and ventures. Thankfully, I am officially moved into the rectory and on campus which took nearly a year to accomplish. I am still settling in and completing a few open ended projects. I would like to form a committee to help me in reaching out to those members of the community who are not worshipping with us on a regular basis for one reason or another. The most important thing that I can do as a priest is to minister to all people for the salvation of their souls. Hopefully, once things are safer, we as a parish can do more outreach to fallen away and non-practicing Catholics. Our parish community is very special and our efforts in evangelization are essential to our mission as Catholics.
I also thought that this would be a good time to share with parishioners the improvements that we have been fortunate to accomplish this past year through your generosity with the improvement fund. I thank Almighty God for allowing me to be able to accomplish so much in just one year. It has truly been a remarkable achievement. I thank our parish staff, volunteers, parishioners, and everyone who helped to make this all possible. I could not accomplish this all by myself!
Here is a list of some of the things that we have been able to accomplish: a complete and thorough cleaning of all buildings including the main church choir loft, sacristy, sanctuary, confessional, utility closets & bathrooms, Fr. Shea Hall, Marian Hall, two tool sheds, the pavilion, the rectory, the garage, and all parish grounds. We were also able to complete the painting of the interior of the main church, painting of the Marian Hall lobby, painting of the new parish office, library, and classrooms all located in Marian Hall, power-washed the outside of Marian Hall, new furniture for the parish offices which moved from the rectory to Marian Hall, two new alarm systems for the parish offices and sacristy, new flat screen TV’s for Faith Formation classrooms, repaired broken windows in Fr. Shea Hall, rectory renovation interior, new roofs on the rectory and garage, and other miscellaneous items. This work was essential and had to be done for the good of the parish and upkeep of the buildings and grounds. There was a lot of deferred maintenance that desperately needed tending to.
We still have a long way to go but I will continue to work diligently to strengthen our infrastructure and reach out to the needs of the community in order to ensure a bright, healthy, and strong future here at Our Lady of the Lake Church and Parish. Please continue to pray and ask God to assist me as your pastor and help our parish grow!
God Bless,
Fr. Matthew
June 29th, 2020
Dear Parishioner(s),
I hope and pray that you are doing well. I haven’t sent as many email blasts lately as our parish has been open for weekend Mass for about a month. Please know of my daily prayers for all of you and your loved ones.
I wanted to send you a few updates to keep you in the loop.
Daily Masses:
Our daily Masses resumed last Monday, June 22nd. Here is a reminder of our new Daily Mass schedule:
Mondays — 8:30 a.m.
Tuesdays — 8:30 a.m., followed by the Miraculous Medal novena.
Wednesdays — 8:30 a.m.
Thursdays — 8:30 a.m., followed by the St. Jude novena.
There will be no more Friday or Saturday morning Masses. For those who would like to go to Mass on Friday or Saturday morning, please know that Sacred Heart Parish located in the Feeding Hills section of Agawam has a 9:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday morning Mass.
Faith Formation:
Many have asked us for an update as to what our parish is planning on doing in the fall concerning our Faith Formation classes. At the time of this email, nothing is definitive or set in stone. Lynda Daniele has sent out a survey to both our Faith Formation teachers and our families. If you haven’t had a chance to complete the survey, please do so ASAP so that your feedback can help us to make important decisions going forward.
Currently, the completed surveys indicate that the majority of parents want virtual classes instead of meeting in person. The benefit to having virtual classes is no threat of the spread of disease, most especially if there is a second wave of Covid-19 in the fall. Also, if we meet in person, we will need volunteers to help us disinfect after each class.
We are looking for people in the parish to help assist us with the task of setting up virtual classes and learning before the end of August. If you are computer savvy and think you can assist, please email Lynda Daniele at — lyndadaniele@yahoo.com.
We are also asking for assistance with donations of laptops (new or used) with cameras, headphones, and monetary donations. We are still working out many details, however, this is where we know we are going to need help right now. Thank you!!!
Bible Study:
Our Bible Study with Deacon Dave will resume this Tuesday, June 30th after 8:30 a.m. Mass in the Father Shea Hall. All are welcome, however, we will be limited to approximately 10 people total. We will be sure to have the elevator available for those who cannot manage the stairs.
Upcoming Events:
HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS MASS: Monday, August 3rd at 6:30 p.m. in the main church.
FIRST RECONCILIATION: Saturday, September 19th at 10:00 a.m.
FIRST COMMUNION: Saturday, October 17th at 10:00 a.m.
CONFIRMATION: Wednesday, October 7th at 6:30 p.m.
More details will be forthcoming concerning all upcoming events.
Soup Kitchen:
We will be preparing and serving on Tuesday, July 14th. We are looking for people to help prep meals in the Father Shea Hall Kitchen at 3:30 p.m. Dinner bags will then be transferred to the soup kitchen in Westfield. Masks & gloves must be worn at all times by all volunteers.
Online Giving/Donations/Improvement Fund:
We greatly appreciate ALL that have continued to support our parish in this uncertain time. Please continue to help us by submitting your contribution by mailing, creating “bill pay” through your bank or by online giving. Please mail in contributions to: Our Lady of the Lake Church, PO Box 1150, Southwick, MA 01077.
Also, ONLINE GIVING now available at www.ollsouthwick.org. Click the link at the top of the homepage.
Over the past year, several improvements have been made to our church, parish centers, grounds, and rectory. We have been able to complete these much needed improvements and address deferred maintenance thanks to your most generous contributions to the parish Improvement Fund. We still have more projects that need to be completed and we cannot do so without your help. Thank you to all who have contributed to the parish Improvement Fund!
Let’s continue to pray and ask God to protect us from evil and bring peace to our nation during these troubling and divisive times!
In Christ,
Fr. Matthew
June 6, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
I continue to keep all of you in my daily thoughts and prayers as we continue to forge ahead with the grace and strength of Almighty God in the midst of this pandemic. Hopefully things will improve soon!
Last weekend, we reopened our church for the first time since early March for our weekend Masses only. Just a friendly reminder that our new Mass times are:
Saturdays: 4:00 & 5:30 p.m.
Sundays: 8:00 & 10:00 a.m.
We also have the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance/Confession available on Saturdays from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. in the green room located in Marian Hall.
I was able to wave to folks from a distance in the Marian Hall after Mass as Deacon Dave was distributing Holy Communion. Everyone that I spoke to felt very safe and was extremely happy and grateful to be back at Mass. It truly warmed my heart to see happy and joyful faces who were so very eager to receive our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament once again.
Even though the bishop has generously extended the dispensation to attend Mass, most especially for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, we want everyone to know that our church is a very safe place to worship and to congregate in. This is due to our dedicated parish staff and volunteers who help us in numerous ways. I am most grateful for all of your help!
I have been telling everyone that if you feel safe to go to Costco or another grocery store, then you can feel safe in our church since I believe it is safer to attend Mass than to do food shopping at the local supermarket.
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. We welcome you to our parish church with open arms and hope that you can return if you feel healthy and safe enough to do so.
For those who are unable to attend, if possible, please continue to mail in your weekly offertory donations or you can have your bank send us a check directly. You can also try our new online giving found on our parish website.
We do our best to keep you posted with the latest news and we hope and pray that you and your family are safe and doing well during this time.
In Christ,
Father Matthew
P.S. – With the exception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick, I am not meeting with people in person at this time. If you would like to make a phone appointment, please call — 413-569-0161. If no one is able to take your call, please leave a detailed voicemail and I will return your call ASAP. You can also email the parish office at — OLLake7@aol.com. God bless!
May 29, 2020
Good Afternoon Everyone-
We hope to see you this weekend! This is such an exciting time for us, as well as scary. Please be patient with us and your fellow parishioners as we are doing our best to adjust to all of these changes. That being said, the following are some more updated guidelines/directives and below is the original message regarding opening. If you have any questions, feel free to email Kim at ollake7@aol.com; she will get back to you as soon as possible.
UPDATED GUIDELINES:
NEW HANDICAP/DISABLED ENTRANCE- Will be the entrance on the Left Side Marian Hall (nearest entrance to the Rectory.) Please pull to the side (to allow others to pass by), drop off your loved one, then proceed to park in the back parking lot.
ALL VOLUNTEERS- USHERS/GREETERS/TRAFFIC DIRECTORS- Please come ½ hour early to have a brief meeting in the Main Church to discuss what/ how things needs to be handled. ALSO- WE NEED MORE HELP in this capacity, PLEASE!!
CLEANERS/DISINFECTORS- Please exit the building after you receive communion (or spiritual communion), then return through the designated entrance to assist with cleaning/disinfecting.
MASKS- Our extra supply of masks has not yet arrived. Please bring/wear your own as we do not have any extras at this time to offer and wearing a mask is mandated by Bishop Rozanski.
DISINFECTANT- If anyone has an extra aerosol can of Lysol that they would be willing to donate, it would be greatly appreciated. We need this for our microphones and the cloth seats on the sanctuary.
PALMS- We regret to say this, but unfortunately our palms did not survive this time in the refrigerator. We were unable to save any, therefore there will be no distribution of palms this year.
CONFESSIONS- Father will be in the “green” classroom hearing confessions. Parishioners/Visitors will enter through the Marian Hall (parking lot) entrance be seated until it is their turn. There is seating for eight(8), if there is no more seating available, you will be asked to wait in your car and the volunteer will advise when you can enter. Father will be hearing confessions Saturday’s 2-3:30 or by appointment.
We are going to need a volunteer each week to assist Father and member’s with greeting/ seating, etc.
The 10:00 am Mass on Sunday May 31st, will be streaming live on our Facebook page.
You don’t need to have an account to view, just visit our page and click on the live link.
https://www.facebook.com/ollsouthwick/
Also, Praise and Worship will be on Facebook Live at 6:30 pm this Tuesday, June 2nd.
GUIDELINES FOR RE-OPENING:
- Everyone MUST wear a face mask or a face covering. Please secure your mask prior to exiting your vehicle. (Infants – age 5 are excluded, as well as medically compromised individuals.) Please bring your own masks with you. There will be a very limited amount of masks for those who do not have a mask and for those who forgot to bring one.
- Please sanitize your hands prior to entering the building with your own personal sized hand sanitizer!
- Single Entrance and Exit:
o Entrance on North Side (by sacristy/ Reconciliation Room/ interior Fr. Shea stairs).
o Exit from the Marian Hall parking lot.
o The ONLY exceptions are handicapped or disabled people who may need to enter through the Left Side Marian Hall entrance and ramp. (Nearest entry to the Rectory)
- Social distancing (six feet apart in between individuals) must always be strictly observed(you will see the church floor taped and the pews marked off). Please follow the signage and directions!
- Restrooms are restricted to Emergency Use Only(due to disinfecting protocols).
- Holy Communion is to be received in the hand ONLY as this is the directive of Bishop Rozanski. Holy Communion will be distributed AFTER the final blessing for those who wish to receive. Once you receive, simply step aside (follow the markers on the rug), remove mask, reverently consume the Sacred Host, immediately put your mask back on, and exit through the Marian Hall exit in an orderly, social distanced fashion.
o Ushers will direct you as to when you will enter the aisle for Holy Communion and also when it is time to exit the church.
o The church must be completely cleared out after the reception of Holy Communion (most especially in between Masses to allow for our volunteers to disinfect).
- There will be NO missals, hymnals, prayer cards, etc. There will also be NO pamphlets upon entering and exiting the church. Only the weekly bulletins and (for the first couple of weeks upon reopening) palms will be handed out to you when you exit by ushers and greeters.
Other directives issued by the Diocese:
(To see the complete directive, please visit: http://diospringfield.org/directives-for-confronting-the-coronavirus/ )
- The Holy water fonts will all be completely emptied and covered.
- Bishop has extended the dispensation to attend Sunday Mass, most especially for sick, elderly, and immunity compromised individuals. If you are showing signs of any illness, even if you feel well enough to come and attend Holy Mass, please use good judgement and stay at home to avoid spreading the disease to others.
- Sign of Peace has been completely omitted.
- All social gatherings (i.e., Praise & Worship, Bible Study, Knights of Columbus meetings, AA meetings, etc.) are suspended until further notice. The church is only open for Mass and the Sacrament of Penance. Daily Mass will resume on June 22nd.
- There will be no altar servers or extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion allowed to assist at Mass until further notice.
- No choirs are allowed until further notice. Music ministry will consist of cantor(s) and the organist/other musicians. They will only be allowed to be in the choir loft and will disinfect prior to exiting.
- The priest, deacon, and lector (reader) are the only people allowed in sanctuary of the church, and must follow strict social distancing guidelines. The priest and deacon will not be wearing masks while in the sanctuary during Holy Mass but will have them on while distributing Holy Communion.
Other specific directives for Our Lady of the Lake Parish:
- All Masses will be in the Main church, there will be NO activities in the Marian Hall.
- Our seating capacity limit and space limitations will only allow for approximately 50 individuals per Mass with social distancing in place. Families may sit together; however, please be conscience of fellow parishioners and the social distancing requirements. Please refrain from coming to multiple Masses (at least initially) to allow everyone the opportunity to worship the Lord.
- Wall mount hands-free sanitizers are on order; in the interim, please bring your own hand sanitizer with you. We will have ushers available to provide hand sanitizer, however (like many), we have a very limited supply.
- If you wish to socialize after Mass, please do so in the parking lot while maintaining social distancing and continuing to wear masks.
- The collection baskets with long handles will be used for the weekly offertory. Simply drop in your weekly offertory envelope into the basket and be mindful not to touch the basket or any other envelopes or money.
- While in the building, please avoid unnecessary touching of surfaces and objects, so as to make it easier for our volunteers to disinfect the church after each Mass.
- The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance/Confession) will be on Saturday afternoons from: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. in the green classroom in the Marian Hall with social distancing and wearing masks required.
- Father will be distributing Holy Communion after each Mass. He will not be available to greet individuals. Also, he will be suspending in-person meetings. If you need to speak with Father, you may call the office and schedule a phone appointment.
A reminder of our new Mass times:
Saturdays: 4:00 & 5:30 p.m.
Sundays: 8:00 & 10:00 a.m.
Beginning this weekend May 30th & 31st
Please pass along these directives for attending Mass after COVID-19 with others, especially those who have no access to our parish email blasts, parish website, or parish Facebook page. Please contact the parish office if you would like to begin receiving emails with updated information. Also NOTE, that some directives may be subject to change if we are able to come up with a better, safer, and more practical set of directives and protocols. This is a work in progress. Please keep us in your prayers!
In Christ,
Fr. Matthew Guidi
