Let us work together, stay calm and support each other during this time.
Please pray for those who have been impacted by this virus.

Updated as of: September 1, 4:00 PM

UPDATE: Archbishop Listecki has recently released the Catholic Comeback and the Catholic Comeback Matrix. These documents outline the times and protocols for the return to public Mass.

Dear Parishioners & Friends – 

Recently, Governor Evers issued a month-long “Safer at Home” Order to help slow the spread of COVID-19, to try to flatten the curve and to help save lives.  The order began March 25 (you can read that full order here.) and on April 16, the “Safer at Home” order has been extended to May 26, pending any superseding orders that could be issued (you can read that full order here). On July 30, Governor Tony Evers issued Executive Order 82, declaring a public health emergency, and corresponding Emergency Order 1, regarding face coverings in certain situations for people over the age of 5. The mask order is effective Saturday, August 1, 2020 until September 28, 2020.​ (You can read that full emergency order here and you can read the full executive order here). Face coverings are required to be worn whenever you are indoors or in an enclosed space, other than a private residence, and other people are present in the same room or space.​  Again Recently, Archbishop Listecki released the Catholic Comeback detailing our return to the public celebration of Mass.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ST. JOHN VIANNEY?

• Public Masses will continue to be limited capacity. Public Mass will be celebrated at 4:30 PM Saturday and 8:30 AM, 11 AM, and 5 PM Sunday. Livestream Mass will be recorded at the 8:30 AM Mass. Celebrate Mass with us virtually by reviewing our live stream schedule.  Click here for detailed liturgical modifications during this time. Live Stream Weekend Masses will continue. Daily Masses are now in person without a livestream. Monday – Friday, 7 AM and 8 AM, Saturday – seating is limited seating.
• With Masses with limited capacity obviously comes the lack of offertory giving. Parishioners are encouraged to make use of our online giving through FaithDirect, electronic transfer of funds, or simply mail in your offertory, to assist the existence of our parish at this time of crisis.
• Parish Operations have transitioned to accommodate the safer-at-home order.  We will have select staff available and working remotely.  All Directors, Teachers, and Leadership staff will be available by email only. Voicemails on church phone lines will be periodically checked. 
• Essential Ministries who serve the most vulnerable in our community will continue but with modifications.  Because of the building closures, access is limited and should be coordinated with your ministry leader and staff liaison. Social distancing is always needed.
• Virtual Learning will continue for our school students as we’ve been doing.  Precious photos of our wonderful teachers and students are posted regularly on our Facebook page.

When Will Masses and Activities Resume at Full Capacity? We will update you as our state, local and religious leaders provide that direction.  Please sign up with your email for updates and key communications. Preparations are underway to prepare for the return of public masses consistent with The Catholic Comeback program of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

The Chapel is open for private prayer Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 8 PM, Saturday from 7:30 AM – 6 PM and Sunday from 8 AM – 12:30 PM. It is also open for Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from 7:30 AM – 4 PM. There are capacity limits for the chapel and social distancing protocols need to be met. Detailed information on the Chapel can be found here.

Public Mass – both daily and weekend Mass – has resumed at St. John Vianney at 25% capacity with the following procedures:

1. Public Mass will be celebrated at 4:30 PM Saturday and 8:30 AM, 11 AM, and 5 PM Sunday. Livestream Mass will be recorded at the 8:30 AM Mass. Remember, the dispensation to attend Mass has expired.
2. Pubic Daily Masses are Monday – Friday at 7 AM and Saturday at 8 AM.
3. Only the main parish doors under the canopy will be open for entry – they will open 30 minutes prior to the start of Mass.
4. Reserved seats make up about one third of the attendance (a bit more at the 8:30 AM). Reserved seats will only be accepted for 100 seats, then parishioners are encouraged to reserve a seat at a different Mass time or to come early for the 1st come-1st served seats. To reserve a seat, they just need to send an email to SaveYourSeat@stjohnv.org by noon on Friday.
5. Seating will be every other pew and on a “first come, first served” basis. Households will need to sit with a 6′ distance between. When capacity limits are reached, the church will be considered full. All others will be asked to leave the building and participate in our live stream Mass experience, or return for a different Mass.
6. Vulnerable groups & those who are ill, are asked to stay home and join in the live stream Mass experience.
7. Direction given to us by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee: “Face coverings must be worn in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order or other municipal orders. Priests, Deacons and Eucharistic Ministers should wear face coverings when distributing communion.”
8. Please bring hand sanitizer for use before & after communion. NOTE: Archbishop Listecki has directed that Holy Communion during this time of pandemic will be distributed only in the hand (click here for the directive). Please wear your face mask as you approach the sanctuary and as you return to your pew.
9. At the end of Mass, you will be able to use all exits. Note that the priests will not be able to shake hands but will wave from a friendly distance. At this time, there will not be the opportunity for private prayer as the church will need to undergo a stringent cleaning before the next Mass.

As a reminder, ALL non-essential activities, meetings, and church-related activities are canceled for the duration of this closure. As part of the order, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is asking all Wisconsinites to limit their contact to five people. This does not mean five people at a time, rather five people total. There should not be dinner parties, small group gatherings, play dates, etc.

With that said, you are encouraged to utilize technology, if possible, to maintain social and spiritual connections. Call your friends and family, check in with people via text, Facetime, do a Google Hangout. Turn to our live streamed Masses offered daily.  Staying connected while staying home is important. 

Please know that we are here to support you in whatever way we can through these challenging times. Although the church and parish offices will be closed, you may reach us by email just as you have in the past. We will also check phone messages, with the option for urgent calls to be forwarded.

Thank you to everyone for your support through this unforeseen and difficult time. Please pray for the health and well being of our parishioners and those in need. I keep you and your loved ones in my prayers.

Blessings,

Very Rev. Edwin Kornath
Pastor