Important Community Update

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,March 2021 marks one year since the pandemic has disturbed our lives, both personally and as a community of faith. We have faced together Church closures, online only services, restrictions of all kind in Church attendance and practice. But prayer never stopped and, with your prayer, help and patience, we have endured it together. All with the one purpose: to protect you from this deadly virus while continuing to provide you with the spiritual support you need. 
Through the challenge of navigating the constantly changing and at times, contradictory directives and protocols coming from the county, state and federal authorities, we followed the core guidelines of our Metropolitan, who instructed us to do so considering our own local guidelines, which we did. With prayer and your sincere wellbeing in mind, we did attempt to do our very best for our community and for our families. Like every other community, our parish has endured through the pains of this pandemic, but we did it together. 

In light of the recent order by Governor Abbot, and after consultation with our Metropolitan, we have considered how we will proceed at St. John. While we are eager to return to full, unrestricted participation, it is our position that acting with prudence, yet moving forward, is the best course of action for our community. 

Beginning Monday March 15, the beginning of Great and Holy Lent,  online sign-up for all our services are no longer necessary. However we will continue with our protocol of parties being distanced 6 feet from each other and masks are being encouraged but not required. We will also continue the Agape (mask required) services until further notice (see parish calendar). Our live streaming of every service will also continue until further notice.
We ask all of you to use common sense and responsibility towards others at all times. We are  striving to be a community of faith and only in togetherness we can do so. 
We will monitor the coming weeks and, as conditions warrant, we will adjust accordingly.As before, if any of our parishioners need a private pastoral visit to receive the Sacraments, please contact Fr. Vasile directly  to schedule a visitation. We are more than happy to accommodate and serve you.
Thank you again for your great support during this difficult and confusing times. Together we’ll be able to navigate tot he other side of this pandemic and return to not just a normal, but hopefully, a better life, in Christ, with many lessons learned and applied. 

As it is customary, at the beginning of Lent, we ask your forgiveness for all things we did wrong, or imperfect, or we did not do, in our community. We promise we will always strive to do better: every time. 

We humbly ask for your unceasing prayers, support and patience.  
Fr. Vasile and St. John’s Parish Council

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” (Ps. 134:1-3)