Sacramental Formation  Fall September 2020

To God’s holy people at St. Andrew’s,

Covid 19 has limited how we can teach the faith. But we must be loyal to Jesus and pass on the faith. We will wash our hands, keep safe social distance and wear a mask while we preach and teach. But here at St. Andrew’s I will teach and preach the Gospel of my beloved Lord Jesus. Let us stand up and publicly say to the city of Lufkin, 

“Catholics love Jesus and we keep on praying and teaching the Gospel.”

Your ancestors and mine suffered poverty, persecution and death for the Catholic faith. Even when people were poor country people, Catholics walked miles each Sunday to hear Mass. In Mexico, people were killed during the Crucero movement in the 1920’s just for going to Mass. In many countries today, priests are ministering to their people in secret, saying Mass in caves and barns for fear of the Secret Police.

We are changing some things at St. Andrews. These changes are in effect until the first Sunday of Advent 2020, when I will review them. So, in a sense, this is an experiment to determine what will work best for the preparation of our children for receiving the two sacraments. 

Those candidates for the sacraments will not be obliged to attend the regular Faith Formation sessions on Wednesdays, whenever we get around to getting those up and running. 

Because of the large numbers of children involved, we cannot use the education building. The State of Texas regulation will be strictly adhered to, and it looks as if the church building is the only space capable of holding 44 children, 44 parents (and maybe a few others turn up) 

PARENTS ARE THE FIRST TEACHERS OF THE FAITH

For the future, at least one parent must be with the child at Sacramental Preparation. No more dropping off your child while you go to HEB or Walmart. 

• Sunday Spanish Mass: 8am-9am.
• Sacramental Preparation for 3^rd years (only): 9:15am-10am (every Sunday).
• Sunday English Mass: 10:30am.
• Sunday Spanish Mass: 12:30pm.

OTHER YEARS OF SAC. FORMATION.

Sacramental Preparation for 1^st/2^nd years: after the 12:30pm Spanish Mass. 1:45pm-2:30pm. (Tentatively to start October 11, 2020).

I hope you can manage to work with the new timings and you will be very happy with it. You can let us know if you have any problems. You all are required to come as per the new timing from 27^th of September 2020.

Thanking you,

Fr. Tim Kelly