What are we doing to reduce costs during this time? Below are examples of some of the measures we have taken:
- Limited all purchases to only items which will be used in the next 30 days
- Decreased Palm order by two-thirds
- Decreased Easter Lily and plant purchase
- Stopped lawn treatment until further notice
- Decreased trash pickup from weekly to every other week
- A/C and Heating for all buildings modified to unoccupied except essential areas
- Adjusted cleaning schedule based on decreased usage
- Diocese has reduced our monthly fees for the Catholic Spirit and database program by 50%
We are closely monitoring our budget and will be making adjustments as warranted.
What can you do to help keep our parish afloat during this time?
- First of all pray for one another. Pray that all will remain safe and healthy
- Help each other. If you know others who need assistance obtaining food or medicine, offer to help. If you need help, you can call the parish office. We have a list of volunteers who are willing to be of assistance.
- We are continuing to support Crisis Ministries with gift cards and funds, as well as, St. Vincent de Paul, Helping Hands Food Pantry and our other outreach ministries including individuals seeking assistance.
- Observe social distance and observe all safety guidelines that we have been given. That is crucial in our efforts to contain the virus. I want to see all of you in our pews when once more we can gather in our church for mass.
- Please continue with your regular contributions to the parish.
- For the next 2 months the diocese is reducing their assessment on our offertory collections from 10% down to 5%. Therefore, more of your donation will stay with Emmaus. Every donation made is beneficial to the parish; however, if you are or can be an annual giver, meaning giving your total yearly donations in one lump sum, this would benefit our parish a great deal if you can make that donation in April or May.
- We have installed secure donation boxes in the church narthex and outside the parish office for those who want to drop off their donation.
- We are still able to sell Gift Cards during our office closure. If you would like to purchase gift cards, please mail in a check or drop one off in one of the secure boxes in church or at the parish office. Please include the type and dollar amount of the cards you would like to purchase. Once we receive your check and order, we will mail your cards to you. You may also sign up for monthly EFT gift card orders that will be automatically mailed to you on the 15th of each month during the office closure. If you have any questions or need assistance placing a gift card order, please contact Jaime Philip at jaime.philip@emmausparish.org
Please note: HEB gift cards are not available to use for on-line purchases at HEB, they are only valid for in-store purchases.
Palm Sunday
Palms will be blessed this Sunday. You will have 2 options for receiving palms. From 1 PM to 4 PM this Sunday, April 5, you may drive up to the church and receive your palms and a Triduum booklet for upcoming Holy Week services. Volunteers will be wearing gloves for this distribution. We ask that you remain in your car and observe social distancing. You may also pick up your palm and Triduum booklet in the church narthex after 4 PM this Sunday and any time the following week during the open hours.
Holy Week & Easter Sunday
We will be live streaming Holy Week and Easter Sunday Masses according to the following schedule:
- Palm Sunday
- 10:00 AM English
- 11:00 AM Spanish
- Holy Thursday
- 6:00 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper
- Good Friday
- 2:00 PM English Stations of the Cross
- 2:30 PM Spanish Stations of the Cross
- 3:00 PM Veneration of the Cross [Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion]
- Holy Saturday
- 8:30 PM The Great Vigil of Easter
- Easter Sunday
- 10:00 AM English
- 11:00 AM Spanish
Masses will be live-streamed from the Church; therefore, during the times listed above, the Church will be closed.
Activity for Home during Holy Week
There is a great resource that families can use at home during Holy Week on the diocese of Austin website. Just go to www.austindiocese.org. Click on Spiritual Resources. Then click on Holy Week at Home.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Samuel Hose
Pastor