Church Reopening Update

May 30, 2020

by Msgr. Panke

Dear Friends in Christ,

I wanted to give you a brief update on what information I have received regarding the reopening of SJN for Holy Mass. I will try to be brief.

We will not be opening up for Mass this Monday as previously hoped.
The Executive Order from our County Executive, Marc Elrich, which goes into effect Monday, June 1, in essence changes nothing from where we currently stand today regarding having Mass at SJN. It is more than disappointing and quite unjust. Click here to read the Executive Order.
The Archdiocese of Washington worked diligently on Friday (yesterday) and filed a request to amend what is required by Montgomery County (they also had to do this for DC and PG county). It is important to note that the Archdiocese successfully worked with Governor Hogan’s office to amend his original plan for Houses of Worship for Phase I (which was very minimal originally). The result is that Churches in the State can now hold services at 50% capacity and the ability to have Holy Communion distributed. This is currently happening in Southern Maryland, which is part of our Archdiocese. We should be overjoyed for those parishes.

But, local jurisdictions, like Montgomery County, can override the Governor’s Executive Order, and that is where we stand today. The hope we all have is that the same openness to religious services should be offered within Montgomery County. I think it would be appropriate to offer your thoughts to our County Executive, Marc Elrich, asking him to expand the requirements for religious services so Catholics can receive the Holy Eucharist. You can do so here: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/exec/Contactcex.aspx

I firmly believe we can offer Mass, with proper social distancing, following all the health recommendations, etc…and keep everyone safe and healthy at the same time. We have an excellent task force in place here at SJN and our plan is ready and in place. We just need the green light.
While the Archdiocese has not been very vocal about this, I can assure that much is being done by the Archdiocese to allow all our Churches in the diocese to reopen while following prudent measures to stem the tide of the pandemic.

We should pray for God’s will to be done in all of this. Keep those Rosaries going. Don’t forget prayer.
I will continue to keep you updated whenever I hear anything. My hope was to be sending you an email about the Mass schedule next week and instructions for when you come to Mass. It would be premature to do so until it is clear that we can have Mass. Know how heartbroken Fr. Bill and I are that we are not there yet.

God Bless you and know of our continued prayers -

Msgr. Panke