Letter to St. Augustine Parishioners

Dear St. Augustine Family,

I pray that this letter finds you and your loved ones safe and well as our country and Church deal with the fallout of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. 

Undoubtedly by now, you are aware that Archbishop of Washington, Wilton Gregory announced that, in response to public health recommendations from local government leaders regarding the potential spread of coronavirus, all public Masses across the Archdiocese are suspended effective TODAY, March 14^th and all Catholic schools are closed starting Monday the 16^th. Schools are currently scheduled to reopen on Monday March 30 ^th, while Masses are suspended " until further notice."   I will keep everyone posted on any further developments or changes as additional updates to pastors come in.   

After receiving several inquiries about the status of our parish activities from parishioners and staff, and after consultation with the Executive Board of the Parish Pastoral Council, I’ve decided to take this moment to offer a few words of guidance.  Beyond the extraordinary mandate regarding Mass cancelation and school closings, the Archbishop has left the status of parish activities to the discretion of each pastor.  

After prayerful consideration and consultation within and beyond the parish (including other pastors), the following parish ACTIVITIES will be either CANCELLED or temporarily SUSPENDED until further notice.

• CCD/Sunday School (suspended)
• Parish Lenten Mission (cancelled)
• Stations of the Cross (suspended)
• Next PPC Coffee (cancelled)
• Parish Potlucks on 3/28 (cancelled)

The following parish MINISTRIES and PARISH ORGANIZATIONS are welcome to proceed, but should exercise common-sense precautions (e.g., an individual who is not feeling well should refrain from participating in person, frequent washing of hands, etc.) and when possible take advantage of the option to meet “virtually” (phone or video conference):

• Homebound Ministry 
• RCIA
• Team HOPE/Feet-on-the-Street
• Social Justice Advocacy
• Music Ministry (includes Gospel Choir, Chorale, Young Adult Choir)
• Dance Ministry
• Parish Finance and Pastoral Councils
• Sodality
• Holy Name
• Girl Scouts 

Bible Study will meet via ZOOM virtual conference only starting Wednesday, March 18 ^th and the Prayer Group will proceed virtually starting on Friday, March 20 ^th. Any ministries or organizations inadvertently not named should heed the same advice.   If a ministry is in need of assistance setting up an online/virtual meeting, please contact the Multimedia Ministry at [email protected]. 

A copy of this letter will also be posted to the parish website, but specifically addressed to all parishioners.

Finally, we are exploring the option of the live-streaming of Sunday Mass and will keep you posted as to when and what time this will occur on Sunday(s).  Please check your email for further information.  We will update our parish website and social media pages with information as things progress:

Website:   https://saintaugustine-dc.org
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/staugustinecatholichurchdc/ 
Instagram:    https://instagram.com/staugustinercdc?igshid=12klua9c9bciy.
 
Thank you for your faithful leadership and attention to this matter.  If you have any concerns or questions about this letter, please email PPC Chair, Martin Lutalo, at [email protected].
 
With you in the Lord’s Vineyard,
Father Patrick A. Smith
Pastor
 
P.S. While we are practicing “social distancing,” you can help St. Augustine continue the work we do in the community by giving online. Please see details on our website about signing up for Faith Direct.  We appreciate your ongoing commitment to supporting your parish during this extraordinary time when Masses are suspended.