Pastoral visitation in nursing homes and hospitals is highly restricted now. So, starting today our clergy are traveling around town with the Most Blessed Sacrament, imparting a Eucharistic Blessing from the parking lots. Many other parishioners are unable to come to Mass or even visit the church at this time, but it’s a comfort to know that the very substance …
Messages from Bishop Stika
On March 13th, Bishop Stika issued the following procedural mandates for Masses in the diocese: The faithful’s obligation to attend Sunday Mass is dispensed if they have an illness or because they are older adults who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease; are individuals with severely compromised immune systems; and caretakers of anyone at risk. …
SMS Students Learn to Teach the Lives of the Saints
Take a look at these informative projects by our students:
Preparation Status Update
Given growing concerns about the risks of viral infection, our parish is making the following preparations: Our Society of Saint Vincent de Paul conference is meeting today to determine how best to continue food distribution in the event of a local outbreak. Our White Elephant Thrift Store will comply with any relevant directives from local health authorities, if these are …
Arbor Day 2020
Many thanks to Cathy Lowden, Marsha Sega, Bill Hevrdeys, Lawrence O’Rourke and Tod Butz for planting eleven new trees along our walking trail for Tennessee Arbor Day 2020. Take a look!
COVID-19
Dear Parishioners: As you know, Bishop Stika recently lifted the restrictions on offering the sign of peace and the reception of the Precious Blood – because the incident rate for the flu significantly lowered in our diocese, especially in our Catholic and public schools. However, Bishop Stika has been closely monitoring the developments related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and he …
Lent Begins Soon!
Ash Wednesday Mass with Blessing and Imposition of Ashes: Wednesday, February 26th at 6:30 am, 8 am, 12.10 pm, 6 pm, and in Spanish at 7 pm. Fasting and abstinence: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.Abstinence: Lenten Fridays.Fasting: Holy Saturday. Our parish makes the Way of the Cross together on Lenten Fridays at 6 pm in Saint Mary Church. The Via Crucis (“Way of the Cross”) …
Job Opportunity
Position: Capital Campaign Administrative Assistant Organization: St. Mary’s School, Oak Ridge TN Job Title: Capital Campaign Administrative Assistant Job Duration: Immediate hire through June 2020 Organization’s Website: https://school.stmarysoakridge.org/ Reports to: Development Director Status: Hourly/Non-Exempt (22.5 hours/T-R) Position Summary: This is a temporary, part-time position. The successful candidate will provide administrative and project management assistance to properly execute the duties and …
Candlemas!
Sunday, February 2nd is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas). Please bring to the 8 am Mass any devotional candles you wish to have blessed for use throughout the year. Everyone participating in the 8 am Mass that day should gather in the church foyer before 8 am. The following day, the Memorial of Saint Blaise, the …
Procession of Children @ 4 pm Christmas Eve Mass
St Mary’s is offering all children attending the 4 PM Christmas Eve Mass the opportunity to process into Church as either an angel or shepherd, offering homage to our new-born King. There will be costumes downstairs in the Social Hall for the kids to dress in. Parents are asked to bring the children participating prior to the Mass to get …
Time of Mass Change
In order to accommodate the annual Chamber of Commerce parade, the 5:30 pm Mass on Saturday, December 14th will be moved to 5 pm. The schedule will return to normal the following Saturday.
Mass Schedule: Dec. 24th & 25; Jan. 1
Mass schedule for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas): Tuesday, December 24th at 4 pm, in Spanish at 6 pm and again in English at 8 pm; Wednesday, December 25th at 12 midnight and 10:30 am. Mass schedule for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God: Tuesday, December 31st at 6 pm; Wednesday, January 1st …