Updated: Friday, May 11, 2020

Public Masses have resumed and the parish office has re-opened.

Our Bishop has assured us that there is no obligation to attend Mass during this time. On a spiritual level, I would ask you to join me in prayer for those who are sick, those who care for them, and those who are in distress during this time. Let us entrust ourselves to God who will never leave us to face our challenges alone.

Spiritual resources for this trying time can be found on our Covid-19 Spiritual Resources page. Up-to-date information on the coronavirus pandemic can be found on this page.

You can also call the parish office at (254) 753-0146 with any questions you may have.

As a final request, concerning your financial support of Saint Mary's, I would ask you to please consider signing up for on line giving. Your gifts help us minister even when we can’t gather together for Holy Mass.
Here is a link where you can participate in online giving.

Thank you for your kind attention to these important measures and thank you for your generous support of St. Mary’s.

Let us continue to pray that Our Lady and Saint Joseph will watch over us. Let us ask them to appeal to Our Lord. May the overflowing mercy and graces from His Sacred Heart pour forth and may He have mercy on us.

Fr. Joe Geleney
Pastor

• Diocese of Austin

• CovidWaco.com

• Texas Dept of State Health Services

• Coronavirus.gov

• World Health Organization

Face Masks. Employees, volunteers, adults, youth, and children (collectively, Individuals) are to wear face masks when participating in a Parish activity, program, or event (Parish Activity) unless a medical condition prevents it, or the Individual is under 10 years of age. Children over 2 are encouraged to wear a face mask).

Disinfecting. Parishes will clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched in common before and after a room or other space is used for a Parish Activity. Individuals participating in the Parish Activity are to assist when requested.

Hand Sanitizers. The Parish will provide hand sanitizer stations at convenient locations in the Parish campus and will seek to have hand sanitizers in or near a room while in use for a Parish Activity. The Parish encourages Individuals to wash hands frequently and carry personal hand sanitizers.

Signs. The Parish will post signs about wearing face coverings, washing hands, disinfecting, staying home when sick, and other COVID-19 prevention recommendations. Individuals participating in Parish Activities are to follow the recommendations on the signs.

Social Distancing. Individuals participating in Parish Activities are to practice social distancing and stay 6 feet apart whenever possible.

Field Trips. The Parish will not coordinate field trips off campus except for walking trips where distancing can be maintained or when Individuals are able to arrange their own transportation.

Informing Parish of Having Contracted COVID-19. An Individual who receives confirmation of having contracted COVID-19 and who has participated in a Parish Activity in the prior 14 days is to inform the Parish of the condition. The Parish will consult with diocesan officials on the appropriate announcements and communications to others, if any, respecting the privacy of the Individual.

Self-Screening. Individuals are to self-screen for themselves and for their children (under 18) for COVID-19 symptoms before participating in Parish Activities. A COVID-19 symptom means a fever over 100 or more than the occasional: cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, headache, chills, sore throat, shaking or shivering, muscle ache or pain, diarrhea, or loss of taste or smell.

When Not to Participate. An Individual is not to participate in a Parish Activity if:

1. the Individual has contracted COVID-19 and the Individual is not to return to the Parish campus until at least 24 hours have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without medication), the Individual does not experience other COVID-19 symptoms, and at least 10 days have passed since the date symptoms first appeared;

2. the Individual had “close contact” (within 6 feet for 15 minutes) in the prior 14 days with someone who has contracted COVID-19 and the Individual is not return to the Parish campus until the individual has not experienced a COVID-19 symptom for at least 14 days after the date of close contact; or

3. the Individual is experiencing a COVID-19 symptom and the Individual is not return to the Parish campus until at least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without medication, if applicable, and the Individual has not experienced other COVID-19 symptoms.

For the safety and security of the people of God and the protection of the parish all iindividuals participating in parish ministries (employees, volunteers, parishioners) are required to sign the parish ministry waiver form (see below).

Parish Ministry Waiver Form.

Even though public Masses and sacraments have returned we still must meet certain precautionary protocols established by the diocese:

At risk populations.  The following at risk parishioners are encouraged to not attend Mass at this time and to remain at home:

1. those who are sick;

2. those who are 65 or older;

3. those who have been advised by health care workers or caregivers to not attend Mass;

4. those who sincerely believe that attending Mass will jeopardize their health or the health of a person with whom they reside; and

5. those who sincerely believe that because of the limitations imposed by these protocols attending Mass is not reasonable.

Dispensation for at risk populations to not attend Mass will continue. If we are already at capacity when you arrive for Mass and you are unable to attend Mass, please be assured that you are dispensed by the bishop from the Sunday obligation.

Monday, May, 11, 2020

• Parish Office re-opened - Office hours.

Monday, May 4, 2020

• Public Masses and Sacrament of Reconsiliation have resumed - Mass times.

Friday, April 3, 2020

• Holy Week Schedule at Saint Mary Church of the Assumption (all liturgies will be live streamed on St. Mary's Facebook page)
  • April 5-6, Palm Sunday: Vigil Mass at 5:30 pm; Morning Mass at 10:30 am 
  • April 9, Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7:00 pm
  • April 10, Good Friday: Station of the Cross at 12 Noon; Celebration of the Lord's Passion at 3:00 pm
  • April 11, Easter Vigil at 8:40 pm

Monday, March 30, 2020

• All parish offices remin closed.
• All public Masses are still suspended, but Fr. Joe is still celebrating a private Mass every day which is live streamed on the parish Facebook page.
• Public confession schedules have been suspended. Message Fr. Joe at 512-971-0290 if you wish to make an appt. to avail yourself of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• Public Holy Week and Triduum services have been suspended. See the parish Facebook page or this website for times of live streamed liturgies..

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

• Effective 3/24/2020, the parish office and gift shop are closed until further notice.
• Apostolic Penitentiary grants special indulgences to the faithful in the current pandemic

Monday, March 23, 2020

• See a message from Bishop Vasquez to the faithful.
• COVID-19 Spiritual Resources
• City of Waco Shelter in Place Order

Sunday, March 22, 2020

• Coronavirus.gov - Comprehensive information: How to prepare and protect yourself; What to do if you think you are sick; U.S. Government response.

Friday, March 20, 2020

• See a Message from Bishop Joe S. Vasquez
• Apostolic Penitentiary grants special indulgences to the faithful in the current pandemic

Thursday, March 19, 2020

• City of Waco Amended Order
• From Diocese of Austin: When I miss Mass

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

• What is a private Mass?

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

• USCCB: Catholic Current Resources for Prayer and Engagement during Coronavirus
• Effective immediately, all public Masses in the Diocese of Austin are suspended due to Coronavirus. Click here to read the letter and decree from Bishop Vásquez.
• The church will remain open for visitation and private prayers daily from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.  
• By Executive Order of Mayor Kyle Deaver, all gatherings in excess of 50 people are prohibited in the City of Waco, effective midnight, March 17, 2020.