Peace be with you!

As we know, the developments around our response to coronavirus (COVID-19) can change from hour to hour. As such, we are updating our community with the latest news that has become available.

Once again, the safety, health and well-being of our community is of the utmost importance to us, and it is of the utmost importance to our Bishop and Diocese. Because of this, even more difficult decisions have been made.

March 18, 2020
BISHOP NOONAN HAS SENT US THE FOLLOWING:
“Throughout the Dioceses within the state of Florida, regularly scheduled celebration of Masses and other liturgical events for the faithful in parish churches and other public sanctuaries are suspended until further notice in cooperation with efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Visitation to the churches to pray is also suspended. Any parish event or ministry event – e.g. prayer groups, Bible studies, etc. – are suspended or postponed.”

At Epiphany, this means that all daily Masses have been suspended, including our 8:30am, 12:15pm daily Masses and our Tuesday night 7:00pm Masses. All weekend Masses have been suspended, including our Sunday Masses and Saturday Vigil Masses.

All meetings of ministries & organizations, special gatherings & events that meet on Epiphany property have been suspended, and this will continue until we know more. Our Food Pantry, Thrift Store, and Religious Articles Store will continue to be closed to the public until they are safe to operate again.

Our Adoration Chapel is closed and will remain entirely closed until further notice.

Here at Epiphany, our priority is to do our part in protecting the Body of Christ in both physical and spiritual ways. As such, our Pastor, Fr. John Bosco, will be saying Mass on his own, without any members of the faithful, at 8:30am each morning, Monday through Saturday, and at 9:00am on Sunday. During these times, Fr. John will offer Masses for our parish community, for the scheduled Mass Intentions, and for healing of this weary world. All are welcome to pray at home and make an Act of Spiritual Communion during these times from the comfort of their homes.

Here are more resources on how to make an Act of Spiritual Communion and how to pray at home.

Please understand that we take this directive from Bishop Noonan very seriously. It is for the safety and health of the entire Body of Christ, under the guidance of our Holy Mother, Mary that we make these difficult decisions. Therefore, we kindly remind our parishioners that our church is closed. There are to be no visitors to Adoration or to the church, for any reason. Any parishioner who may have access to our church building due to their involvement in ministry is to take this directive seriously and is to respect this request from their pastor and their bishop.

We thank you for your patience and prayers as we continue to navigate these times. May the Lord who raised the dead, healed the sick, and calmed the seas be with us as we turn closer to Him in this time of trial and uncertainty. God bless you, this community, and all those who are working so hard and diligently to care for us.

The Diocese of Orlando is offering updates as they occur. Please click on this link to DIOCESE OF ORLANDO UPDATES to find out more information. This includes information on dispensations for missing Mass, guidelines for celebrating the sacraments under these circumstances, and best practices for how to celebrate Mass during this time.

The Lord who calmed the seas, raised the dead, and fed the multitudes is surely with us during this unprecedented time of trial. We humbly ask for His guidance, His peace, and His compassion as we seek to respond to this global crisis.

We pray for all those who are sick and for their families. May He bless healthcare workers, first responders, scientists, and all those who are working to keep us safe. Amen.