Our Lady of Guadalupe

WELCOME TO EVERYONE!!!

The word “Catholic” means universal, open to all, all embracing.  I hope everyone finds and experiences here in this beautiful parish: the loving and non-judgmental embrace of the heavenly Father, the peace and joy of Jesus, and the life and power of the Holy Spirit.  May Our Lady of Guadalupe spread her mantle around you, protect you, and show herself a mother to you! 

-Fr Simon

https://archdiosf.org/covid-2019

BREAKING - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - Archbishop John C. Wester: The Archdiocese of Santa Fe is closing all its churches and schools effective immediately until further notice.

The reason for the closures is to prevent the COVID-19 virus from spreading within our communities. We are particularly concerned about the safety and health of our elderly, children and our chronically ill population.

This is one of the precautions we are taking to prevent community spread of COVID-19. We are pro-life and we see it as a sanctity of life issue.

Liturgical Practices During the 2020 Flu Season and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) Outbreak From Archbishop John C. Wester

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
      As you know, on January 7, 2020, Father Glennon Jones notified all priests, deacons, religious, and laity of the flu restrictions in place throughout the Archdiocese of Santa Fe this year. Due to the ongoing prevalence of the flu in New Mexico and the current international outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), I wish to remind you that these restrictions remain in place and must be carefully observed for the well-being of all the faithful. I ask that pastors, principals and all archdiocesan leaders ensure that our people are constantly reminded of the importance of observing these critical health safeguards. As I travel throughout the archdiocese, I notice that there are still quite a few who are not abiding by these safety measures.

      Attached to this letter are two memoranda to assist you in protecting our people. The first is a copy of Father Jones's January memo and the second is from the USCCB. I would like to add two important points:

1.  Given the highly contagious nature of the flu and the coronavirus, communicants MUST receive Holy Communion in the hand and not on the tongue. I realize that there are some who prefer to receive Holy Communion on the tongue. However, during the flu season and given the possibility of being exposed to the coronavirus, ALL communicants are to receive Communion in the hand. What is important is that we receive our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion. How we receive, while very personal to the individual communicant, is not crucial. What is important is that we receive our Lord in Holy Communion. Receiving Communion in the hand is every bit as respectful as receiving on the tongue. There is nothing ontologically preferable to receiving on the tongue. I ask that we keep in mind the importance of receiving Holy Communion and that we do not allow a secondary consideration to prevent us from this most special gift that the Lord has given to us. People are dying from the flu and from COVID-19. I believe that this consideration as well as our other temporary liturgical procedures are part of our respect for the dignity and value of human life.
2.  Please communicate as much and as often as possible our archdiocesan flu procedures as well as fundamental hygienic tips to keep our people safe. Washing our hands often and not touching our faces are two fundamental practices that go a long way to helping us avoid the flu.

      With every best wish for the good health of all our brothers and sisters and asking our Lord, the Divine Physician, to bless us during this critical time, I remain
 
Your brother in Christ,
 
Most Reverend John C. Wester
Archbishop of Santa Fe

ATTACHMENT: CORONAVIRUS (COVID-2019) & FLU PRECAUTIONS
 
Due to the severity of the flu season and the international outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-2019), the archdiocese will continue the liturgical safety measures and restrictions issued on January 7, 2020. 
 
Please read Archbishop John C. Wester’s March 3, 2020 statement, “Liturgical Practices During the 2020 Flu Season and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) Outbreak” at www.archdiosf.org.

New Mexico is one of the states still listed by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as having widespread flu outbreaks and high Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Activity.
 
Please stay home if you are sick or are experiencing symptoms.  If you are ill, you are not bound by the obligation to attend Mass, including on Sunday. Out of charity to others, sick individuals should not attend Mass or other liturgical events.

♦During the Our Father, folded hands are the liturgical norm.
    Avoid bodily contact.

♦During the Sign of Peace, simply nod your head toward one
   another. Avoid bodily contact.

♦Communicants MUST receive Holy Communion in the hand.
   Please do not ask to receive on the tongue. The Archbishop
   grants dispensation to those who attend the Extraordinary
   form to receive in the hand during these restrictions.

The archdiocese institutes these directives not to limit expression of faith, but rather as a preventative against widespread and potentially deadly diseases. We continue to be in touch with state and local health authorities and will alter these directives as needed.  Let us continue to pray for all who are sick and affected by these virulent diseases.

With every best wish for the good health of all our brothers and sisters and asking our Lord, the Divine Physician, to bless us during this critical time, I remain

Your brother in Christ,

Most Reverend John C. Wester
Archbishop of Santa Fe 

Parish Survey to Help the New Priest!
 
Dear friends,
 
It is a great joy for me to be here with you all.  Fr Mike has been a very dear friend of mine for years, even from before he was ordained.  It’s very sad to see him go; he is a good and holy man.  I promise though, as best as I can, to continue things in the same good way that Fr Mike was doing.  I look forward to meeting each of you and getting to know you and your families and living this part of our journeys together.  As I get to know you all and the parish, can I please ask you to take a little time to fill out this survey?  With something like this, short answers are usually not very helpful so the more information you can provide the better.  Your voice and your opinions are what matter and I will listen to what you say very carefully and will do the best I can to do what YOU want; it’s YOUR Parish and YOUR Church. 
 
Please print this out and write your responses.  Please return your completed survey to me, or to the parish office, or drop it in the collection basket.  Thank you so much and please pray for me.  -Fr Simon
 
 

1. What are the best things about your parish?  What is really going well here and what are you most proud of?  (Obviously “the people”, that’s a given!!!, but if you can be more specific that would be more helpful).

2. What are some areas of parish life that you would like to see grow?  Do you have any concerns you would like to share?

3. Seeing as how I am new to the parish, is there anything you would like me to be aware of?  Is there anything you think that a new priest here should know? What are your dreams and goals for the parish?  What do you want of and for your parish?

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Thank you so much for your thoughtful responses!!!