A Renewed Option for Holy Communion

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In a canonical decree issued on November 9th, Bishop Stika altered his earlier decree pertaining to the distribution of Holy Communion during the present pandemic. The alteration permits the distribution of Holy Communion onto the tongues of communicants, in the manner traditional to the Roman Rite. This alteration takes effect on the First Sunday …

Resumption Update No. 7

PARISH MISSION: Come and join us this Advent are our Parish Mission!  Presented by: Sister Maria Juan, RSM, Director of Faith Formation, Diocese of Knoxville, TN.  A three-night reflection as we ‘prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord’.  St Mary’s Church, Oak Ridge: Each evening- 7PM to 9PM, December 9th, 10th, and 11th.  There will be Confession each evening at 6:30 PM (please …

Indulgences for the Faithful Departed During the Pandemic

DECREE issued Friday by the Holy See: This year, in the current circumstances due to the “Covid-19” pandemic, the Plenary Indulgences for the deceased faithful will be extended throughout the entire month of November, with adaptation of works and conditions to guarantee the safety of the faithful. This Apostolic Penitentiary has received many petitions from holy Pastors who have asked …

Resumption Update No. 6

Founders Day Picnic: On the Octave Day of the Assumption, our parish feast day, we will have a cookout and outdoor picnic.  You will be able to pick up your order and enjoy it either at home or outdoors around the parish grounds.  Details TBA soon. Bishop Adrian of Nashville established Saint Mary Parish as a community of the Diocese …

Resumption Update No. 5

Parking Lot Maintenance: Please be aware that some sections of the parking lot will be out of use for several days this coming week, weather permitting, for (long overdue!) maintenance. Saint Mary School: Bishop Stika has announced a return to on-site learning at all 10 Catholic schools in the diocese for the 2020-’21 academic year, which will begin on Monday, …

Resumption Update No. 4

Sign-Up for Mass: Please sign up now for this coming Sunday’s Mass.  Click the “Mass Sign Up” button (on the home page of the parish website) each week to sign up.  The link is refreshed weekly by Tuesday at noon.  Please remember to sign up for each Sunday’s Mass by no later than Friday at noon.  Our seating capacity in the …

Resumption Update No. 3

Sign-Up for Mass: Please sign up now for this coming Sunday’s Mass.  Please remember to sign up for each Sunday’s Mass by no later than Friday at noon of each week.  Our seating capacity in the church for the duration of the pandemic is 100 congregants per Mass, with five Sunday (“Dominical”) Mass options from which to choose. Adoration of the …

Resumption Update No. 2

Sign-Up for Mass: Please sign up now for this coming Sunday’s Mass.  Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and their capable leaders, our Pentecost Sunday Mass went very smoothly.  Please remember to sign up for each Sunday’s Mass by no later than Friday at noon of each week.  Our usual pre-pandemic Mass attendance is 600-700; we can seat a total of …

Resumption Update No. 1

PENTECOST SUNDAY MASS: Sign-up here to attend a Pentecost Sunday Mass.  We resume celebrating Sunday Mass in the church on Pentecost Sunday, following the usual Sunday schedule: Saturday vigil @ 5:30 pm; Sunday @ 8 am, 10:30 am, 2 pm (Spanish) and 6 pm.  Please read the detailed instructions issued by Bishop Stika and be prepared to follow these instructions …