Welcome to St. Margaret of Scotland Parish
March 24, 2020
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT from Fr. Donald:
Dear St. Margaret of Scotland Parish Family,
The news about the COVID-19 pandemic gets bleaker and bleaker each day. The number of confirmed cases and deaths continue to rise. In light of this growing pandemic, there is some unprecedented news that I must share with you.
Cardinal Cupich has mandated the suspension, until further notice, of all liturgical services. This includes both weekend and weekday Masses. I have received further notice that Palm (Passion) Sunday and all Holy Week liturgies (including Easter Sunday) will not be celebrated publicly in our parishes.
This is the first time in recent memory that the beautiful liturgies of Holy Week and Easter will not be publicly celebrated at St. Margaret of Scotland. I am heartbroken over this news. There is a great joy in celebrating the Pascal Mystery together.
In light of the Cardinal's decision to suspend the celebration of all public liturgies, it is understood that all Catholics within the Archdiocese of Chicago are dispensed from the obligation of attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation (per canons 85 and 87 in the Code of Canon Law of 1983) and this includes Easter Sunday.
I have also been notified that there is not to be any distribution of blessed palms until a later date determined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Archdiocese of Chicago. There are to be no Communion Services now, nor during Holy Week, until we are cleared to return to public liturgies.
I look forward to the day that we can gather around the Lord's table and share the Bread of Life. If you have any prayer requests, please call our office line and leave a message with the request at 773-779-5151.
In Christ's Compassionate Love,
Fr. Donald Eruaga
Pastor
March 20, 2020
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
Dear Parishioners & Friends of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish&School
The spread of COVID-19 has dominated the news and our thoughts and prayers. Let us continue to pray for those whose lives have been affected by this pandemic.
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) informed us this evening that a student at St. Margaret of Scotland School has tested positive for Coronavirus/COVID-19. The affected student also attended the school Mass at St. Margaret of Scotland Church on March 12, 2020. We are adhering to guidelines from the Archdiocese of Chicago, the CDPH, Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Governor's Office's guidelines, which recommend the cancellation of public gatherings involving 250 or more people. We have closed St. Margaret of Scotland school effective immediately and will not re-open until March 23 at the earliest. Additionally, there will be no daily Mass on Friday, March 13.
Cardinal Cupich mandated the suspension until further notice of all liturgical services effective the evening of Saturday March 14, 2020. Thus, all Masses beginning with the 4:30 PM Mass on Saturday March 14 are cancelled until further notice. This includes both weekday and weekend Masses.
Beginning Friday, March 13, 2020:
- St. Margaret of Scotland Church and School will be closed until further notice
- Religious Education Classes are cancelled until further notice
- All meetings and activities are cancelled
Mercy Home offers a Sunday morning broadcast of the Mass at 9:30AM on WGN. Broadcasts of the Sunday Mass are also available on EWTN.
Beginning Friday, March 13, school and parish leadership will facilitate extensive cleaning and disinfecting of the school and church. Please note that the school already has a scheduled Spring Break from March 16-20.
Per guidance from CDPH it is not necessary that other students, staff or parishioners of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish and School be tested for Coronavirus/COVID-19 at this time, nor is it necessary for anyone to self-quarantine, unless you begin exhibiting Coronavirus/COVID-19 symptoms. Please continue to monitor your own health, those within your care and continue to practice proper hygiene at home. We remain in close contact with the CDPH and will keep all parishioners, school families and staff apprised of any new or additional guidance from CDPH or the Archdiocese of Chicago. (If you have any questions, please direct them to the Chicago Department of Public Health.)
Cardinal Cupich stated, "This was not a decision I made lightly. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our life as Catholics. And our schools and agencies provide essential services to many thousands across Cook and Lake Counties. But in consultation with leaders from across the archdiocese, for the sake of the safety of our students, parishioners, and, all the women and men who serve the people of the archdiocese, it is clear that we must take the better part of caution in order to slow the spread of the pandemic."
Cardinal Cupich also stated, "in this time of legitimate concern for the safety of ourselves, our loved ones and those at the margins of society, we must hold fast to the knowledge that the impulses that come from God bring courage, consolation, generosity and solidarity. Instead of allowing this moment to trap us in fear, we must find unity in advancing all that is good in our common humanity. This means staying spiritually and emotionally close to one another, in our families, our friendships and our communities. It means helping where possible and safe. It means checking on the vulnerable. It means being responsible about hygiene."
Because this situation is evolving rapidly, please check this website for further information. I know that this will bring anxiety to some and confusion or anger to others. I am saddened that we will not be able to pray together at Mass this weekend. This is a moment that we are called in Christian charity to look beyond ourselves and to care for each other. Let us pray together that in this moment of brokenness - Jesus will give us Living Water so that we may be healed.
Sincerely Yours in Christ's Love,
Fr. Donald Eruaga, Pastor
Shauntae Davis, Principal
MASS TIMES
Monday - Friday Mass: 8:30 a.m.
Saturday: 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Church Calendar
FOR INFORMATION ON HELPING OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN, VISIT THE TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIPS PAGE AT smoschicago.org/tax-credit-scholarship-matching-gift/
