For the Weekend of April 5, 2020

Dear People of God,

Another week of quarantine, another week of isolation, another week of dire news and statistics of the terrible sickness that is sweeping over the world, our country, our state and our families. . . If we are not careful, we could lose sight of the gloriously uplifting and hopeful days that are upon us . . . Holy Week begins with the celebration of Palm Sunday (today)! The Passion narrative we read today is proclaimed to remind us that those who follow Christ Jesus, are going to suffer pain, sickness, persecution, rejection, betrayal, and all that goes with living in this world of ours - just as Jesus did! BUT , if we remain steadfast, if we persevere, if we endure, everlasting life will be ours.

When confronting evil and persecution, and the demons of fear and doubt and anger that come along with them, we should do as Jesus did. He faced it with the truth and never accepted the lies that so many threw at Him.

Reflect, today, upon the fact that no matter what your cross may be, it is a gift from God in that He is desiring to strengthen you for some greater purpose. Saint Pope John Paul II used to say over and over again the words of Jesus Himself, “Do not be afraid!” Face your fears and let God transform you in the midst of them. If you do, you will discover that your greatest struggles in life actually turn out to be your greatest blessings.

Once again there will be no masses offered for the congregation this weekend. Don’t forget to take the time to celebrate your faith as and with the family this Sunday. Find the time to get together and read the readings for the Sunday and see what message they give you.

The schedule for the live streaming services for Holy Week can be seen on our website.

Other live streamed services available: Daily Mass – Monday through Friday - @ 7:00p.m.:
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - Wednesdays @ 8:00p.m – 9:00p.m.

Please think of joining us for Mass online this Sunday morning at 11:00am. We are trying to reach the homes of our parishioners via live streaming. Please check out our website for further information on how to do this.

Don’t let the virus news overwhelm you. Be strong in your faith; be courageous and unfaltering in your knowledge and belief that Jesus loves you . . . and He always will!

As usual please remember to pray for all of the Salesians in our presence here at MHC . . . especially those at St. Philip Residence and at Bon Secours Maria Manor in St. Petersburg. Be assured we will be doing the same for you.

Peace and Joy Always!
Fr. Steve Dumais, SDB.

Pastor

Update to Private Prayer Hours & Reminders 04-01-20

Dear MHC Family,

As you are aware, Bishop Gregory Parkes made the decision to suspend the public celebration of Masses in the Diocese of St. Petersburg until it can be determined that it is safe to return to normal schedules and public worship. We’d like you to know that we modified the hours when MHC Church will be open to the faithful for private prayer, effective immediately. We also want to remind you of the important details listed below. Please read the list to ensure you have our most current information. We appreciate your cooperation during this difficult time and ask that you all pray for all those suffering from coronavirus.

Our parish is still ministering to you in the following ways:

MHC Church will be unlocked for private prayer from 9am to 6pm Monday through Saturday. (please enter through the side door, and follow CDC and local government recommendations for social distancing)

Live streamed Masses will be shared with the faithful to watch the livestream virtually from their home. The faithful are NOT permitted to participate in person.

Private Masses will be celebrated by our priests for the faithful and to fulfill Mass Intentions previously scheduled. The faithful are NOT permitted to participate in person.

We will not have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesdays.

Confessions will be offered by appointment by emailing or calling the Parish Office to make arrangements. 813-626-7588 or parish@mhctampa.org

St. Philip Residence is the home of our elder Salesians, and due to their age/health, it will remain closed to all visitors, even for Mass.

Contact us via email if you have recently updated your phone number, email address or mailing address so we can make the appropriate changes to stay connected with you.

Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you need anything. We are still available for your needs and will continue to be with you through all of this.

Keep sending us your updates and pictures!

Mary Help of Christians Holy Week Schedule 2020

Dear MHC Family,

We thank you all for your patience, support and generosity as we embark on this journey of the unknown together.
As most of you are already aware, all public masses are suspended until further notice. We are working diligently behind the scenes to provide a livestream of our Holy Week events for the Faithful of Jesus.
We are very pleased to announce that we will be offering a livestream of our events for Holy Week and they can be accessed via our parish website. Please note all livestreamed events will NOT be open to the general public.
We encourage you to share the live stream link with loved ones and we will all unite together in prayer as we experience these Holy Days with reverence, joy, and prayer.

MHC Holy Week Schedule 2020

Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020
Livestream of Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Mass 11AM

Monday of Holy Week, April 6, 2020
Blessed Palms available for pick up in the church
MHC Church is open from 9AM-6PM for private prayer (please enter through the side door, and follow social distancing guidelines)
Livestream of 7PM Daily Mass

Tuesday of Holy Week, April 7, 2020
Livestream of the Chrism Mass by the Cathedral of St. Jude* at 11:30AM
www.dosp.org/livestream
*The Vicars Forane (Deans), representing each deanery of the Diocese will be present, in order to receive the blessed oils and take them back for distribution to the parishes in their regions
MHC Church is open from 9AM-6PM for private prayer (please enter through the side door, and follow social distancing guidelines)
Livestream of 7PM Daily Mass

The Sacred Paschal Triduum
Holy Thursday, April 9, 2020
MHC Church is open from 9AM-6PM for private prayer (please enter through the side door, and follow social distancing guidelines)
Livestream of Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:30PM
Livestream of Holy Thursday Adoration of Jesus reposed in the Tabernacle (following Mass until 10PM)

Good Friday – April 10, 2020
MHC Church is closed
Livestream of Passion of the Lord Service 3PM

Holy Saturday – April 11, 2020
MHC Church is closed
Livestream of Easter Vigil – 8PM

Easter Celebration
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020
MHC Church is closed
Livestream of The Resurrection of the Lord Mass - 11AM

Announcements from Fr. Steve Dumais, SDB for Thursday, March 19, 2020

1. Live Streaming Mass from Mary Help Church 11:00a.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2020.
We are doing our best here at Mary Help to bring a personal live Mass to you via the website each week. Have patience with us and know once we get all the details, we will be getting back to you with them as soon as possible.

2. Weekly Masses and Events
I know that most of us are aware of the diocesan directives from the office of Bishop Parkes regarding the dispensation from our regular Sunday Mass observance through the month of March . . . and possibly longer.

Please be also aware that as of March 18, 2020, there will also be:
NO 8:15a.m. daily masses available to those outside the SDB community at St. Philip Residence
NO Wednesday evening 7:00p.m. Mass in Good Shepherd Chapel
NO Wednesday Adoration
NO Weekly 6:45a.m. Mass in Good Shepherd Chapel
NO Stations of the Cross on Fridays of Lent
NO Saturday morning or Saturday evening Masses in Mary Help Church or Good Shepherd Chapel
NO Sunday Masses in Mary Help Church or Good Shepherd Chapel (This includes Masses in English and Korean.)
NO Parish Penance Service on Wednesday March 25, 2020. Confessions will be offered by appointment by calling the Parish Office at 813-626-7588, or 813-626-6191.

All of the above are in the Spirit and the letter of the directives from Bishop Parkes.

3. Mary Help of Christians Church Availability:
Although there might not be any masses available for our parishioners during these days, our Church will be open from 9:00a.m. until 8:00p.m. Monday through Friday; and from 1:00p.m. until 6:00p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. (Please observe "social distancing" and refrain from touching any surfaces)

Please feel free to come in and make a visit to Jesus in the Tabernacle. Spend some quiet time of reflection and find some peace in midst of the craziness of all that is going on in the world around us.

4. St. Philip Residence:
This is the home of our elder Salesians, and due to their age/health, it will remain closed to all visitors, even for Mass. For more details click here.

Pray for us here and know that we’ll be doing the same, as usual, for you!
Peace and Joy Always!
Fr. Steve Dumais, SDB.
Pastor

DOSP Response to Coronavirus

• Click here to read the latest statement from the Bishop on the Coronavirus.
• Click here to read the latest information from the Diocesan Office of Communications on effective communication during uncertain times.
• Click here to view the Diocesan webpage with all the latest updates on COVID-19.