From the Desk of Fr. Nickolai

I want to offer a note of thanks to everyone who participated in Sunday’s festivities honoring Fr. Tom.

We had musicians who helped us celebrate both in church and then in the tent; the Men’s Club served food and drinks; lots of people pitched in with moving tables and chairs at the end of the party. Hutchens Mortuary generously helped defray some of the cost of renting the tent. And, of course, a good number of the people of the parish attended, and made it a joyful occasion, even as these sorts of changes are usually bittersweet for us priests. It was good to see a number of you we haven’t seen much lately, though of course we completely understand that many are being careful for reasons of health.

On that note, it seems worthwhile to acknowledge that St. Louis County announced some new virus-related measures on Monday. In practical terms, it doesn’t change very much for us. For the past few weeks, we have been allowed to fill the church to 50% of capacity — and providentially, Fr. Tom’s farewell Mass fell within that window — but as of Friday, July 31, we are limited to 25% again, which means 100 people, in our church. I remind everyone that the diocese has set up archstl.org/coronavirus — any time clergy and parishes receive new instructions from the diocesan leadership, that page is updated accordingly.