EWTN - Saturday May 15th - ARIZONA -
1:30 AM
New! BEATIFICATION OF SALVATORIAN FOUNDER FRANCIS MARY OF THE CROSS JORDAN

Live from the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, watch the Beatification of Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan. This German Catholic priest and founder of the Salvatorians is under review for possible canonization.   (120 minutes)
Encore (rebroadcast)
Saturday, May 15 at 8:00 AM

For other time zones in the USA click the image below to go to EWTN's weekly TV schedule. Select Saturday 15th - in red.

April 26th 2021

Dear Friends,
I am pleased to announce some new developments in our efforts to reopen our church during this time of Covid – 19

Additional Mass
Beginning this weekend, May 1st we will be adding a new mass at 6 pm on Saturdays.  

Additional Seating Opportunities
Beginning this weekend, May 1st, we will add an additional position to each of our pews.  This will allow three groups per pew instead of the present two.
This response to the growing desire to attend mass will provide more seating and attendance options while still maintaining safety protocols.

Expanding Office Hours
last week we began expanding our office hours to reflect the improved situation in our community.  Our offices are now open Monday through Thursday, 8 am until 2 pm.   With our staff fully vaccinated we can now offer more services safely.

What to Expect at Mass
While we celebrate these changes, our general protocols will continue:
• Mask wearing is still required in accordance with Diocesan protocols.
• Reservations are still required so make your reservations via our website or call us at 520-.
• Eucharist will be given to each person at their seats instead of outside
• Collections in support of the parish will also now be give during mass at your seat in the traditional manor of a basket offered by ushers.
• Re-establishment of ushers to help with seating and collections
• Requirement that all minister must have received their full vaccines plus two weeks.

With these changes in mind all of you who still feel uncomfortable with attending mass because of Covid-19 are still dispensed from attending mass by our bishop.

• Outdoor communion distribution will still continue for the time being for those who wish to continue watching mass on line or on television.
• Our online mass will continue to be celebrated and published on YouTube.

Reason for Change
Throughout the pandemic the rational for our efforts has been to protect each other from a deadly contagious virus while at the same time still providing necessary ministry to the community.  We also worked hard to follow diocesan and County Health Dept. guidelines.   As you know, this balancing act has not been easy but our efforts and success as a faith community has led to this moment where we can begin to open up more opportunities.  The big reason for this success has been the pace of vaccinations that is occurring in our faith community and the state at large.  Because of this, we are now able to offer you more opportunities to celebrate mass in-person.  However, we still need to get everyone vaccinated as soon as possible so we can continue to open up even more in the future.

As we begin this new schedule and seating options, our protocols of masks, registration etc. is still very important to follow.  While we are seeing huge progress, we are still not out of the woods yet.  However, we are on our way and this change is a symbol of that process.  This is worth thanking God for the good work we have all done.

In making this change I want to thank you for your cooperation and support during this unique time.  We have pulled together beautifully and it shows.  As of today, we have not had one direct covid-19 related funeral at our parish.  Even my doctor was amazed when I told him this fact.  We have supported each other in ways I never thought possible, reaching out to each other and our neighbors.   I also want to thank you for your patience with me and the reservations system.  I know it is frustrating and sometimes difficult but it has protected our most vulnerable and that is something to also give thanks to God for. Ultimately, we can celebrate this progress because you made it happen.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for your love and care of our community.  May God continue to bless you and the community as we move boldly forward to a new day.

Yours in the Savior,
Fr. Tom Tureman SDS Pastor

Diana Akroush, our CCD director, is retiring after many years of service educating our children about the faith.  She was instrumental in redeveloping our CCD program and was an amazing partner in our two pilgrimages to the Holy Land.   Her many gifts will be missed.  On behalf of the parish I want to thank Diana for her service and love of our parish.  Along with you I wish her the very best in her new journey in life. 
All the best  Diana.
Fr. Tom

Please read Fr Tom's letter on the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal.
Click this link to read the MHT Annual Catholic Appeals letter
Persevering in Hope
Click this link to learn more and to donate to the ACA


 

Ash Wednesday and Indoor Masses

In a few days we will enter the sacred season of Lent with the celebration of Ash Wednesday.  For all of us this is a sacred time of reflection and celebration of God’s constant goodness to us.  However, as with everything else during the pandemic Ash Wednesday and Lent will be a little different.

  The main celebration of Ash Wednesday will be celebrated on line which will be uploaded the evening before.  We will also have a liturgy on the morning of Ash Wednesday at 9 am with ashes being distributed following the service.  The liturgy will take place outside in front of the church.  Reservations will be needed for this celebration.  We will continue to distribute ashes throughout the day until 6 pm.   Due to the Health concerns and in compliance with the USCC and Bishop Weisenburger’s recommendation, ashes will be sprinkled over your head instead on your forehead.  No prayers will be said during the distribution.  

Similar to your usual reception of Eucharist you will be asked to sanitize your hands, and wear a mask and maintain social distancing.  As always this is designed to protect you and the people distributing the ashes.  After reception of ashes, we ask that you leave the church property and resume your daily activities.  
As a reminder, Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation.  It is a wonderful opportunity that greatly enhances our entry into Lent.  If you are not feeling well or if you have a fever, please stay home and watch our celebration on YouTube.  It is my hope that in 2022 we can restart this wonderful tradition.

On another note, I am pleased to tell you that Bishop Weisenburger has give the tentative OK to resume masses in the church following Ash Wednesday.  We will resume on the weekend of the 20th with the same protocols that we previously used before we had to return to outdoor masses.  Restrictions on music groups remains enforced until the situation with the pandemic substantially improves.   We will be keeping you informed of all updates as we receive them.  In the meantime, continue to follow the safety disciplines, watch out for each other and when the time arrives get your vaccines.

In closing I believe this Lent may be the most important period we have ever celebrated in our lifetime.  Let this year will be an opportunity to truly listen to God in a way never imagined before.  What we will learn could affect us for the rest of our lives.  So, let us come together and worship, reflect and listen carefully.   The Lord is calling.

Yours in the Savior,
Fr. Tom

The office is open for phone calls and to schedule appointments by phone only. Monday - Thursday 8:30am to 2:30pm
Closed - Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Call the parish office in case of emergencies. 520-884-9021
Non-emergencies email us at: info@mhtparish.org.

Food Box: please call Brother Jeff at 520-884-9021 EXT 105 and leave a message.

A Message from Bishop Weisenburger
THE NEW OUTLOOK
Diocese of Tucson News Online
I would like to be able to share important news and updates with you directly. If you are not already receiving in your email the new Diocese of Tucson on-line news service, “The New Outlook,” then simply take the following steps to enroll. Text DOTNEWS to 84576 to automatically sign up for the free diocesan weekly news service. You can opt to receive all updates by email. Keep up to speed on what is happening in the local Church and the whole Catholic world. Join me for mass online and learn about Diocesan events. See you online.

----
Mensaje del Obispo Weisenburger
THE NEW OUTLOOK
Noticias en Línea de la Diócesis de Tucson
Me gustaría poder compartir directamente a ustedes, noticias importantes y actualizaciones. Si ya en su correo electrónico no está recibiendo este nuevo servicio de noticias en Línea de la Diócesis de Tucson, "The New Outlook", entonces simplemente envíe DOTNEWS en un mensaje de texto al 84576 para inscribirse automáticamente en el servicio de noticias semanal gratuito de la Diócesis. Puede elegir recibir todas las actualizaciones por correo electrónico. Manténgase al tanto de lo que sucede en la Iglesia local y en todo el mundo católico. Únase conmigo en la misa virtual y conozca acerca de los eventos diocesanos. Nos vemos en línea.

Make a reservation for Masses
Click this link to make a REGULAR SUNDAY INDOOR Mass Reservation

Please review these instructions carefully, we cannot guarantee you a seat without a reservation!

Please read Fr Tom's update letter of mass procedures for INDOOR masses starting May 1st.
Click this link to read the letter

Reservation for Inside Mass

If you make a reservation and then are unable to attend Mass,  Please either delete your reservation or call 520-427-4488 to cancel as soon as you know.  Each mass has been full and we have been turning people away, then at mass times people are not turning up leaving empty slots this is preventing other people from attending mass.

Eucharistic Ministers and Usher volunteers should have recieved both vacination shots and be two weeks clear and also reserve a seat.

NOTE! There will now be 40 slots available; with each slot limited to a Maximum of either 2 or 3 people for the masses, if there are more than 3 people in the family you will need to book 2 slots.  

There will be no Mariachi mass for the foreseeable future.

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. If you require any assistance please contact me Steve McManus @ 520-427-4488  Thank you!

SUNDAY Holy Communion Distribution
NEW TIME AND LOCATION
10:00am until 11:00 in front of Guadalupe Hall.

Receive Communion after watching MHT Sunday Mass online or another Catholic Mass online. Watch on Saturday or Sunday then come and receive Holy Communion outside in front of Guadalupe Hall.

Drive into MHT, park your car, wear your face mask and then proceed with social distancing to the entrace of the Guadalupe Hall where an Eucharistic Minister will be waiting. Follow instructions at the tables.

In his 2003 Encyclical Letter, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope St. John Paul II offers a beautiful instruction on the Eucharist as the center of our life in Christ.  In these days of set back and confinement when we are unable to receive Holy Communion in the usual way, his words can be a support and encouragement.
Read full reflection. Click this link

Pope St. John Paul II
2003 Encyclical Letter, Ecclesia de Eucharistia.
Click this link: Encyclical Letter

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• Daily Readings - written & audio
• Mass Reflections
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More...
Click this link: Home Resources