St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Parish

AUGUST 14, 2020 UPDATE

In light of the continued spread of the coronavirus in southeast Michigan and the impossibility for parishes to safely accommodate all Catholics for Mass on Sundays, Archbishop Vigneron has extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation for all the faithful in the Archdiocese of Detroit, as well as for all travelers during their time within the territory of the Archdiocese of Detroit, until Monday, November 23, 2020.

Read the full announcement.

We have received a communication from Archbishop Vigneron regarding the dispensation from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass. The dispensation is extended until November 22, 2020.

We encourage you to come and join your parish family in celebrating Mass on Sunday. Sunday Mass and keeping the Lord's Day holy, is still an obligation for all. Those who are in compromising health conditions i.e. immune compromised, the elderly, recent travel out of state, not feeling well, heart or lung disease, diabetes are asked to still stay home. However, healthy individuals, will be required to keep the Sunday obligation. What does that mean?

If you do not attend Mass you still have an obligation to watch Sunday Mass by live-stream, television or other means, to keep holy the Lord's Day. Many folks are now transitioning from being isolated in their homes to becoming involved in more public activities following all of the protocols necessary to be safe and healthy. Catholics who engage in other activities that would present a similar or greater risk of exposure (eating out at restaurants, traveling, non-essential shopping, widening one's circle of contacts, engaging in sports activities as a participant or observer etc.) should begin to return to Sunday Mass as they are able. "How can I repay the LORD for all of His goodness ... “(Psalm 116:12).

St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Parish has been following all of the safety and health protocols established by the state, i.e. requirement of wearing a mask, social distancing, disinfecting the church after each service. Therefore, one should feel safe returning to Mass on Sunday. Currently, we are still required to allow only 25% capacity for public worship. We have not reached attendance capacity at the scheduled Masses.

We continue to worship at the usual Mass times, Saturday 4:00 p.m.; Sunday 9:00 a.m. and 11 :00 a.m. If for some reason you still do not feel comfortable attending the Sunday Mass, there are still opportunities to attend daily Mass on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 8:30 am. Confessions are held on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

We ask you continue to use common sense, stay healthy and safe, and "repay the Lord for all of His goodness! Fr. Greg and I Miss YOU!

Fr. Linus

As per the CDC guidelines, anyone older than 65, anyone with a compromised health condition and those caring for the sick are encouraged to stay home. Also, anyone who feels ill (such as having a temperature, cough, etc.,) should definitely stay home out of concern for the whole community.

Masks must be worn by all (except for those under 2 years old) in and around the church.

Social distancing will be required although those living in the same household may sit together.

Please do not gather or linger in the church building either before or after Mass.

Although receiving Communion on the tongue is an option, you are asked out of Christian charity and for the concern of others to receive Communion in the hand. If you wish to receive on the tongue you will need to wait until the end of Mass to receive Communion from the Celebrant. We encourage you to bring your own hand sanitizer to use before Holy Communion.

Mass Times remain the same:
Weekdays: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Saturday at 4 p.m., Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Read the new guidelines. 

Read Archbishop Vigneron’s May 12, 2020 letter on the return of Public Mass.

Archdiocese of Detroit COVID-19 Response and Recommendations