Holy Family’s Response to the COVID-19/Coronavirus
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Holy Family holding public Masses?
On March 16th, Archbishop Gomez announced that the public celebration of all Masses in the Archdiocese has been suspended until March 29th, 2020, or otherwise extended. On March 24th, the Archbishop extended the suspension of all public Masses until April 19th, or otherwise extended. Churches are to be closed to the public effective March 24th until April 19th, or until further notice.
Obviously, this has been a wrenching decision for the Archbishop and the leadership team at the Archdiocese to make, but it is imperative to ensure the safety of our Catholic faithful, in addition to our priests and deacons. Our Archbishop has also taken seriously our moral responsibility as a Church to do everything possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is not alone in doing this; indeed, an increasing number of dioceses in this country and around the world have taken this drastic step.
To keep you up-to-date on COVID-19/coronavirus information from legit sources, click here!
Will Holy Family continue to livestream Masses?
We will continue to offer livestreaming of the Mass at the following times:
Monday through Saturday at 8:15 a.m.
Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 p.m.
Sundays at 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Click here to access our Live Stream Site!
What about Weddings, Funerals and Quinceañeras?
Weddings are to be postponed until April 19th or until further notice.
Funerals may take place only in the form of “The Rite of Committal, with Final Commendation” (also known as the “graveside”). If desired by the family, a memorial Mass can be scheduled appropriately at a later date.
Quinceañeras are cancelled until further notice.
What about the Anointing of the Sick (or Last Rites)?
If you have a loved one who is seriously ill and would like to receive the Anointing of the Sick, please call the Pastoral Center at (626) 799-8908 to speak with one of our priests.
What about confession?
Priests may offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation only in danger of death or extremely extraordinary situations. There are no confessions by telephone, electronic means or by “drive-up”. Please call the Pastoral Center at (626) 799-8908 to speak with one of our priests.
Our Reconciliation Service in Holy Week is cancelled, but Monsignor Connolly will be sharing “An Experience of Reconciliation” via livestream on Tuesday, April 7th at 7:00 p.m.
How do we meet as a ministry committee if we can’t meet physically?
We encourage you, when possible, to meet via Zoom teleconferencing https://zoom.us/ or via Uberconference: https://www.uberconference.com/features/free_conference_calls Your ministry leader or chair will reach out to you to confirm alternative meeting arrangements.
If you have questions about your ministry meeting or how to set up a conference call or Zoom teleconference, please call Andrell Panconi at (626) 403-6107 or email her at apanconi@holyfamily.org.
Is the Holy Family Bookstore still open?
We have made the decision to physically close the Bookstore, but our staff will be taking telephone orders, Monday thru Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at (626) 403-6133. In addition to books, they can also fill orders for Fair Trade coffee, chocolate and tea, and other items. You will need to provide a credit card to place the order. The Bookstore is even offering curbside pick up!
Monsignor Connolly has curated a list of essential spiritual reading for getting through a pandemic! You can find that list here.
Can Holy Family help me if I need food or other assistance?
Holy Family has launched a major effort to reach out to the hundreds of vulnerable people in our parish, especially older seniors, the sick and homebound, to ensure that they are being taken care of, they have food and they are spiritually and socially connected.
We have extended the Giving Bank’s food distribution hours so that people can come throughout the week to pick up food. Our new hours are: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please call the Giving Bank at (626) 403-6140 or email Marlene at marlenemoore@holyfamily.org if you need help with food and want to schedule a pick up time or need to find out about the possibility of food being delivered to you.
How can Holy Family help me if I am feeling isolated and alone?
Holy Family has launched a major effort to reach out to the hundreds of vulnerable people in our parish, especially older seniors and the sick and homebound, to ensure that they are being taken care of, they have food and they are spiritually and socially connected.
If you need help dealing with spiritual or social isolation or know someone who needs help or assistance, please call our Pastoral Care office at (626) 403-6115 or email mary@holyfamily.org.
Additionally, we are providing a number of online resources to help you spiritually. Our new web page “Praying Together… Even As We Are Apart” https://holyfamily.org/praying-together-even-as-we-are-apart/ has many online resources that can help us keep connected in common prayer.
We have also launched a daily email with a video reflection from our spiritual leaders, inspirational prayers, poems, insights and links to various resources which will be added to our website to help you get through this difficult time. Please click here to subscribe our email list!
How can I help our vulnerable parishioners?
➤ You can join our “Helpful Responders’ List”!
- We need volunteers for a variety of tasks, such as distributing food at Holy Family and to individual homes, phone trees, being a prayer-partner, etc. Perhaps some of our middle, high school and college students could help out!
- If you would like to volunteer, please sign up here: Click here to volunteer!
- If you have questions, please email Mary Schimmoller at mschimmoller@holyfamily.org
➤ You can donate Non-Expired, Non-Perishable Food Items
- While all of us are concerned about the shortage of resources at this time, now more than ever, we are in need of your non-expired, non-perishable food items for distribution to our many less-fortunate families who rely on us daily. Your donations of food are welcome and greatly appreciated Monday through Friday at the Giving Bank between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. You can also drop off food in the Church in the bins in the vestibule at the Fremont entrance of the Church. Unfortunately, at this time we cannot accept material donations (clothing, furniture, etc.) until further notice.
➤ You can also help those most impacted by food shortages and long lines at the supermarkets, by reaching out to your vulnerable neighbors and ensuring that they are OK and are able to get food and other necessities. We are Christ’s hands and feet!!!
Whom should I talk to if I have questions, concerns or ideas?
You should talk to the person responsible for your particular ministry. Our staff directory is available here. https://holyfamily.org/connect-with-us/contact-us/staff-directory/ You can also contact Cambria Tortorelli, Parish Life Director, by calling her at (626) 403-6110 or by emailing her at ctortorelli@holyfamily.org.
Support the Holy Family Crisis Relief Fund
This fund has been set up to support the parish in a variety of ways, including the cost of live-streaming our Masses to thousands of people, supplying our Giving Bank with important necessities for our clients, homebound and elderly, ramping up our social media and web presence, and ensuring our parish remains operationally viable, especially while Mass attendance is at a stand-still. We are dependent on your donations and they will help us not only to continue to reach out to those most in need, but also to keep the lights on and pay our staff during this time. Click here to help!
Express your generosity from wherever you are! Download the Holy Family giving app, GIVE+ right to your smartphone, or tablet. It’s quick to set up, and an easy way to support our parish when you’re on the go! Click here for Apple devices or Click here for Android devices.
Thank you, with your help, we all make a difference!