Fr. Mike's Message - 06/13/2021

Dear Parishioners,

We received word last week from the Archdiocese that Archbishop Rozanski is lifting the dispensation from Sunday worship effective July 1, 2021.  This is another step back to life as we knew it before the pandemic.  What this means is that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass will be back in place as of July 1.  I’m grateful that so many have returned to Mass over the last few months.  I hope and pray that the importance of the Eucharist grows in each one of us and that this removal of the dispensation will only enhance our devotion to the Eucharist and Mass.  

Please note that parishioners who are sick, homebound, immunocompromised and gravely concerned for their health retain the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass, which has always been the case in normal times. In order to maximize our available space and offer room for those who desire extra distancing, we will continue to livestream Mass into the Choir Room and distribute Communion there. Masses willalso still be live-streamed via our Parish Facebook page and YouTube channel.  

Some have asked about the distribution of the Precious Blood. This practice is still prohibited until we receive further guidance from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  We encourage everyone to continue to be sensitive to the needs of those who wear masks and desire to maintain social distancing, etc.  Sanitizing stations will remain in place, and we invite everyone to make use of them. Below is a video from Archbishop Rozanski inviting everyone back to Mass, available at the following link for you to view: https://youtu.be/dCYuyopNEVM.   You can find additional information from the Archdiocese of St. Louis at this link: https://www.archstl.org/together.

We are happy to be able to resume the use of Holy Water in the fonts at the doors and books in the pews. We will get the books put out as soon as possible.  If you are not comfortable with using these, then do not feel obligated.  Our church cleaners will clean the Holy Water fonts weekly.  We are so blessed with this group of volunteers who keep our church clean and looking great!

Now let’s have some fun! Come join us this Thursday evening (June 17th) in the Rectory Courtyard for our Thirsty Third Thursday.  Come anytime after 6:00 p.m.  It will be an informal opportunity to enjoy each other’s company, catch up with some folks we may not have seen for awhile, and even meet some new friends.  Bring a lawn chair, your favorite beverage, food, yard game, etc.  Fr. Tony and I hope to see you there!

Thanks to all who were able to participate in the Corpus Christi procession last Sunday.  We had a nice turnout and it was a great opportunity to pray together and share our love for the Lord present to us in the Eucharist.  It’s a great gift we Catholics have for ourselves and a great gift we can share with others to help draw them to Christ and His Church.  Let’s continue to pray for each other so we may deepen our love for the Eucharist and our relationship with the Lord who is present to us through that Sacrament.

Christine Piontek, our Business Manager, recently submitted her resignation from her position.  We will miss Christine and her boundless energy and enthusiasm.  Please join me in thanking her for the 5+ years she spent with our Parish and School and in wishing her well in her future endeavors. Our parish has benefitted so much from Christine’s energy, enthusiasm, and talent.  Upon the advice of our Finance Committee, we will be utilizing the Archdiocese’s Office of Shared Accounting to help with our bookkeeping needs.  We will look to find someone to help support our parish office needs.

Did you know you can turn your IRA distributions into tax free charitable donations? Individuals who are age 70 ½ and older can donate up to $100,000 per year tax free from their IRA to the church or other charity.  IRA distributions are generally taxable income, but with a QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution) it is not included in your income so you avoid the potential negative tax consequences that regular IRA withdrawals can create.  Charitable contribution deductions are usually limited or eliminated altogether for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions, but making the donation via a QCD ensures that you receive the full tax benefit of the donation even if you do not itemize.  QCDs can satisfy all or part the amount of your required minimum distribution from your IRA for those age 72 or older.  The QCD must be made payable directly to the charitable entity.  Be sure to work closely with your financial and tax advisors to determine whether this provision is right for you. We have quite a few folks who have taken advantage of this opportunity and we are so grateful for their generosity to the parish in this way!  (Please note: This information is not meant as tax or legal advice.  Tax laws are complex and subject to change, please consult a professional advisor to determine how this tax law affects your situation.)

Mark your calendars as we prepare to celebrate Deacon Leon Noelker’s 25th Anniversary of Ordination as a Deacon and his retirement from ministry.  Deacon Leon has served our parish faithfully as a Deacon through prayer ministries, preaching, Communion to the sick, working with people who desire to get married, ministering to those who are seeking annulments...and the list goes on.  While he won’t disappear, his retirement will give him the freedom to be here when he can with no expectations placed on him.  Let’s keep Deacon Leon, his wife Marcie, and their family in our prayers.  As a parish family, we will celebrate with Deacon Leon on Sunday, June 27th at 9:00 a.m. Mass followed by a reception on the 3rd floor of Jesuit Hall.  All are invited. 

Have a great week!  Thank you for your continued support of St. Francis Borgia Parish!

Fr. Mike Boehm