St Martin of Tours  Parish 

By direction of Bishop Bradley and due to the continuing pandemic, we are not able to welcome the faithful to our private masses.  Masses will continue to be celebrated and prayers for the protection needs and intentions of the people of St. Martin of Tours parish will be offered at each Mass.  Please continue to participate in Mass through television Masses and live streaming Masses.  The Diocesan website has a list of Masses that are available via live stream and instructions on how to make a spiritual communion while viewing these Masses.
 
I am looking into how to live stream our Sunday 8 am Mass at St. Martin of Tours. 

This is perhaps the most difficult Paschal season any of us have ever knows.  Let us keep each other in prayer and remember that we are in the hands of our Savior Jesus Christ and together we walk through this time with him.
 
Msgr. Thomas Martin

The suspension of the public celebration of the Holy Mass will continue through April 30, 2020 and will resume upon the time where restrictions are lifted. Bishop Bradley has announced the following updates to the Holy Week liturgies for the Diocese of Kalamazoo. All liturgies celebrated by Bishop Bradley will be live streamed on diocesan website and simulcast on the diocesan Facebook page. Please click here for additional details on Holy Week liturgy guidelines. Please click here for Parishes that are live streaming the Mass and other liturgies.

Palm Sunday: Pastors will celebrate the Blessing of Palms however, the distribution of Blessed Palms will not take place; they are to be stored safely and appropriately. They will be made available at the time restrictions are lifted and the public celebration of the Mass resumes.

Chrism Mass: The sacred oils will be blessed by Bishop Bradley and bottled for later distribution.

Holy Thursday: The washing of feet and the procession of the Blessed Sacrament have been omitted from the liturgy.

Good Friday:  Services (live-streamed) are encouraged; the reading of the Passion; Stations of the Cross.

Easter Vigil:  The Easter Vigil is to be celebrated only in the Cathedral and parish churches, no earlier than 9 pm. Within Collaboratives, the Easter Vigil is to be celebrated in only one of the churches, with all of the Paschal Candles from each of the parishes to be blessed and lit together at the one Solemn Liturgy.

The Rites of Christian Initiation are to be delayed until Pentecost Sunday, May 31^st, 2020,  if possible. However, if for a serious reason, and using prudential judgment, the pastor determines that the Rites should be celebrated for individual cases at the Vigil or another Sunday during the Easter Season, he may do so, provided the restriction of not more than ten (10) people may gather at once, and all health and safety precautions are strictly employed. 

Easter Sunday:  Masses may be live streamed and follow established protocols and guidelines.

 
When: Friday, April 3, 2020
 
What: A day set apart for prayer. Bishop Paul J. Bradley is asking the faithful to take the day to set it apart specifically for a day of prayer and penance to end the pandemic.  The faithful are asked to participate as much as they are able in a livestream Mass (or pray a Liturgy of the Word),  pray Stations of the Cross, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and a Rosary sometime during the day.  In remembrance of the three hours of darkness on the day of Jesus’ death, the faithful are asked to fast from extraneous electronics (watching television shows, movies, playing games, etc.) but are encouraged to use electronic media as a way to pray during this time, and to also fast from food and drink.  These fasts are to take place between Noon and 3 p.m.
 
Why: To pray for an end to the Coronavirus Pandemic, to pray for all those who have and are dying from the virus, and to pray in thanksgiving for all the medical and first responders assisting at this time.
 
Where: The faithful are to do this in their homes while we are staying home and staying safe.  They may also pray from their work if they are essential employees.
 
How: Individuals and families may participate via electronic means with others.  The diocese will be offering a live stream of Mass, Stations, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and a Holy hour with Rosary at www.diokzoo.org and simulcast via the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo Facebook page.  Parishes are encouraged to offer their own live stream as they are capable.  The faithful may also participate by praying these on their own and praying a Liturgy of the Word.  All the prayers necessary for the day can be found at www.diokzoo.org/sundayexperience.
 
Who: All the faithful of the Diocese of Kalamazoo are asked to participate.  We invite anyone of any faith or region to join with us.  

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