Mass Calendar
Returning to Public Mass Guideline
- The Obligation to attend Sunday Mass will continue to be dispensed.
- Those over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions , are encouraged NOT to attend public celebrations of Mass. They my choose to attend a less crowed weekday Mass.
- Anyone who is sick, has a fever, coughing, sneezing, of feeling fatigue etc. should not come to Mass.
- We will continue to Live Stream one of our weekend Masses each Sunday.
- Parishioners must enter through the front doors, sanitize their hands and be seated where the usher directs you to sit. We will fill the church from front to back.
- Seating of the church will be limited to33% capacity. Once we are filled to capacity, you may not be able to attend.
- We will seat people as families, couples or individuals at the ends of each pew. Keeping one pew apart.
- Plan on remaining in your pew, until the end of Mass, when you come forward for communion and then exit out the side doors. You will have a chance to put your offering in a basket as you leave the church. You will also be able to pick up a bulletin as you exit.
- Parishioners are required to wear face masks at Mass as mandated for all public places.
- When coming to Mass will require more walking and use of stairs than you are accustomed to when coming to Mass. Those with mobility issues should keep this in mind if they plan to attend Mass.
- The new worship hymnals/missalettes for 2021 are available for you to pick up, use during Mass, and take home with you. Please do not leave them in your pew when you leave.
- Liturgical ministers will be limited and ushers will be asked to wear masks.
- Sung Music will be limited, common or well known hymns will be used.
- No sign of peace and no greetings with hands will take place
- No processionals will take place
- The Great Command to love our God, Our Neighbor and Ourselves continues to be our guide. We ask everyone to be mindful of their Neighbor and take care to protect them by keeping these and other social distancing practices.
AFC News and Updates
Ash Wednesday Mas Schedule
Posted in AFC News on 12/30/20
February 17, 2021- Ash Wednesday 8:30 am Mass at St. Mary's, Bird Island 11:00 ... Read More »
Catholic United Financial Volunteer Forms
Posted in AFC News on 12/01/20
Have you recently given of your time, talent or treasure in our parish or ... Read More »
Mask Requirements
Posted in AFC News on 07/23/20
On Wednesday, July 22nd, Governor Walz issued an executive order mandating mask use for indoor ... Read More »
Access Mass Videos
LIVE VIDEOS
The Heart of Jesus Area Faith Community is Live Streaming Sunday Masses on Sundays at 8:30 through the AFC Facebook Page. ( June 7th Mass will be live at 10 am for St. John's Final Mass and June 14th at 10:30 am at St. Mary's for a welcome Mass)
To find our facebook page click here.
Some important things to remember:
- You DO NOT need to have a facebook count to access the facebook live videos.
- We are starting our live feed a few minutes prior to 8:30am with a prelude music to give people a chance to find the live feed.
- You made need to refresh your web browser at 8:30am if you don't see the live video. (There should be a red "LIVE" box in the upper left hand corner of the video).
- You can access the recorded Mass after the live recording is finished. Say you can't find the video until 9:00am and find Mass is half way through already. If you wait until 9:30am when Mass and the video is finished recording, you will have the option to start Mass from the beginning.
PAST SUNDAY SERVICES
Prior services can be viewed on our youtube channel. Sunday services will be available to watch by Tuesday mornings. Masses will also be aired on the local Bird Island and Olivia channels at 11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Publications
Office Hours
St. Mary - M- Th: 9am -4pm, F: 9am- 12pm (noon)
St. Aloysius - M- Th: 9am -4pm, F: 9am- 12pm (noon)
Holy Redeemer - Please contact St. Aloysius
USCCB News
U.S. Bishop Chairmen Say Equality Act Would Discriminate Against People of Faith and Threaten Unborn Life
02/23/21 3:30 am
WASHINGTON—Five committee chairmen of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) wrote a letter to members of Congress opposing the recent reintroduction of the Equality Act (H.R. 5), which is scheduled to be voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The bishops warned of the threats posed by the proposed legislation to both people of faith and of no faith, with respect to mandates impacting charities and their beneficiaries in need, health care and other conscience rights, taxpayer funding of abortion, freedom of speech, women’s sports and sex-specific facilities, and more. Their letter explained:
“[E]very person is made in the image of God and should be treated accordingly, with respect and compassion. This commitment is reflected in the Church’s charitable service to all people, without regard to race, religion, or any other characteristic. It means we need to honor every person’s right to gainful employment free of unjust discrimination or harassment, and to the basic goods that they need to live and thrive. It also means that people of differing beliefs should be respected.”
Read MoreTwo Young Professionals at the U.S. Bishops’ Conference Chosen for “Faith Communication in the Digital World” Project
02/22/21 3:30 am
WASHINGTON – Two young professionals on staff at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have been chosen by the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communications to be part of a unique digital media project. As the Catholic Church seeks to embrace new and effective ways of communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, social media and mobile applications have been utilized as key tools in communicating the Gospel message. Recognizing the vital role of digital media, the dicastery announced “Faith Communication in the Digital World” and invited candidates to apply for a 12-month project with the opportunity to sharpen their digital media skills and develop skills useful for work in Catholic organizations, institutions, congregations and in their local dioceses to better serve the mission of the Church.
Alexandra Carroll, communications manager for social mission for the USCCB’s Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development and John Lilly, communications specialist for the USCCB’s Office of Public Affairs were among sixteen individuals under age thirty-five from a dozen countries across the globe who were chosen to be part of this project. Through her work at the Conference, Alexandra engages Catholics in the work of the grassroots organizations supported by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. bishops. Previously, Alexandra served as the director of communications for Catholic Mobilizing Network where she inspired Catholics to end the use of the death penalty and promote a more restorative criminal justice system. Alexandra received a Masters of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) with a focus in Theological Ethics and Human Rights from Boston College, where she also served as a volunteer with the Catholic prison ministry at the Suffolk County House of Corrections. John has worked in digital communications for the Catholic Church for the last six years, including several positions at parishes and schools in the Diocese of Arlington. For the last year and a half, John has worked for the USCCB managing the Conference’s social media and digital presence. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a concentration in media production and criticism at George Mason University, where he was also involved in Catholic Campus Ministry as a student leader. He resides in Northern Virginia with his wife and daughter.
Read MoreU.S. Bishops’ President Urges Prayer and Support for All During Extreme Winter Weather and Storms
02/19/21 3:30 am
WASHINGTON—Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) urges prayer and support for all those who have died and been injured in the recent winter storms, and encourages hope and generous support at the beginning of the Lenten season.
Archbishop Gomez’s full statement follows:
Read More