" The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The celebration of the Eucharist is at the heart of the gift of Faith that God has given us in the salvation won for us by His only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

PASTORAL LETTER To All Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, Religious Men and Women, and Faithful Laity of the Diocese of Fort Worth Bishop Olson’s Statement regarding Pope Francis’ Comments Recorded in Francesco The Church is obliged to hand on faithfully what she has received from Christ.  It is the mind of Christ that marriage is an indissoluble bond between one man and one woman.  The Church preaches and acts upon this truth, regardless of the passing opinions of nations, states, or cultures. Comments recently recorded in the making of a documentary about Pope Francis regarding civil recognition of “unions” between homosexual couples appear to have led some to the erroneous conclusion that the Church’s teaching on marriage has changed or is about to change.  Considering the above, faithful Catholics must insist that the Church’s teaching on marriage has not changed and cannot change.  In a 2014 interview published in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Pope Francis was asked about moves across Europe to legalize gay marriage or adopt civil union laws. "Marriage is between a man and a woman," he said. "Secular states want to validate civil unions to regulate different situations of cohabitation, driven by the need to regulate economic aspects between people, such as ensuring health care. These are cohabitation pacts of various kinds, of which I could not list the different forms." It is a misunderstanding of rights to suggest or infer that legal arrangements of civil societies can confer a status equivalent to marriage to couples who do not conform to God’s intention and design for marriage.  October 21, 2020   September 25, 2020 Dear Friends in Christ, On August 15, 2020, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, His Eminence, Robert Cardinal Sarah,  Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments, released a letter written to the Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences of the Catholic Church. The letter, entitled “Let Us Return to the Eucharist  with Joy,” concerns the celebration of the Liturgy during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In this letter, Cardinal  Sarah emphasizes the importance of being physically present for the public celebration of the Eucharist, especially on  Sundays. As your bishop, I would like to thank you once again for the efforts that all of you have made in patience and  generosity during these past five months since the weekend of May 2-3, 2020, when we in the Diocese of Fort Worth returned to the public celebration of Mass and sacraments with the adaptation of several restrictions and protocols for  the sake of the safety of all. Throughout these last five months of the public celebration of Mass, so many of you have  responded to your baptismal vocation by generously giving of yourselves to your neighbor in so many ways to facilitate  our full and active participation in extraordinary circumstances. You have generously inconvenienced yourselves  by wearing face coverings at Mass, serving as ushers, maintaining social distancing, receiving Holy Communion  exclusively in the hand, generously donating for the works of charity, and ever more frequent hand-washing and  sanitizing. Many of you have had to make the safe but painful decision to stay home from Sunday Mass so as not to  spread the virus among the more vulnerable.  We are now entering the annual flu season. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the threat  of widespread illness, especially among the more vulnerable. Therefore, I am directing that you maintain our current but provisional norms and protocols as established last June until further notice. These are temporary protocols and  norms given during this time of pandemic. These norms and measures that I promulgate for the safeguarding of the  community and the public celebration of Mass will expire when, after consultation, we judge the situation to return to normal. Here are the following temporary protocols and norms in the Diocese of Fort Worth: 1. The faithful in the Diocese of Fort Worth are still dispensed from the obligation to attend and to participate in Sunday Mass. If you are sick or exhibiting symptoms of any illness, stay home. If you are over the age of 60, I am strongly encouraging you not to attend Mass. If your parish can provide a Mass exclusively for people over the age of 60, I recommend that you attend that Mass. I am strongly recommending that people over 60 years of age not distribute Holy Communion for the sake of their own health. 2. Mindful of the obligation of charity to our neighbor, I am requiring that people in attendance at Mass wear masks over their mouth and nose while inside the church to help prevent the spread of the virus. This is not  simply a strong recommendation. People will not be seated without wearing a mask. We must err on the side of caution and of protecting those who are most vulnerable to the dangerous effects of COVID-19 out of an  authentic love for our neighbor—a love that befits the selfless love of Christ extended to us in the gift of the  Eucharist. If you do not desire to wear a mask for any reason, please stay home and you are invited to follow  the Mass by live-streaming. 3. Children under the age of two (2-years-old) are not required to wear masks in keeping with CDC  recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.  html 4. The church building will be wiped down with disinfectant in between all masses. Hymnals and other worship aids are not to be present or used at Mass. Collection plates will not be passed or handled among  people. Holy Communion will not be shared under both species (no reception of the chalice). There is to be  no exchange of a handshake for the sign of peace. 5. Holy Communion will only be distributed in the hand during this time of pandemic. This is to protect the  health of all involved. 6. If possible, please do not forget to maintain your stewardship and to support your parish financially. 7. These same protocols and occupancy limitations apply in the Diocese of Fort Worth to the celebration of  weddings, funerals, and baptisms for the sake of the safety and good health of all involved. 8. Please continue to notify your parish of any family members or friends who are shut-ins and who desire a n pastoral visit. 9. While the Governor has recognized that religious services are not subject to occupancy limits, we have a  higher duty to our faith in God in continuing to abide by sound health and safety protocols. Therefore, after consultation with public health and civic officials and having received reports of an upturn in cases, I judge  that we maintain our current occupancy standard. The number of people who are to be in attendance at Mass  will be limited to a number that can be safely present mindful of the recommendation of 50% capacity with  social distancing, the required protocols of masks and sanitizing of hands, and receiving Holy Communion exclusively in the hand.  The distance of THREE FEET between persons generally equates to 50% capacity of the church building. Couples and families may be seated together as they normally would, with three feet distance separating  them from others seated in church. Upon entering church at the designated entrance, people, wearing masks or scarf coverings over their mouth and nose, will have their hands sanitized and be escorted by an usher to  a seat in the church. Once the church building has reached capacity, people arriving cannot be admitted and will be invited to attend another Mass, or directed to a parish hall, if available, arranged for social distancing  and with live streaming. As attendance continues to grow, please consult with your neighboring parishes before adding temporarily a new Mass to the parish schedule. 10. Thank you for the extraordinary generosity that you have displayed in donating non-perishable food items  and gift cards to your local parish so that they can be distributed through food banks and other outreach  services in our parishes and local communities. Please, if you are able, continue to do so and to remember  Catholic Charities Fort Worth (CCFW) as the ordinary means of delivery for care and services to the poor  and those who are most in need. There will be an ongoing and growing need for these works of mercy from  the faithful throughout our path to recovery. Please do not forget to maintain your stewardship and to support 11. For other gatherings, religious education classes, and meetings, please consult the memorandum from the  Vicar General sent to parishes on September 11, 2020. 12. Catholic schools are to follow the policies established and approved by the Office of the Superintendent of  Catholic Schools. There are to be no exceptions. 13. While many nursing homes have opened with limited visitation, please arrange visits to the infirm and elderly  with an abundance of caution. Priests should still anoint with cotton stock. Priests should shave their beards  or keep them trimmed to maintain a tight and effective seal for the fitting of the face mask to prevent the  spread of contagion.  As Cardinal Sarah stated in his letter, “A sure principle in order not to err is obedience. Obedience to the norms of the Church, obedience to the Bishops. In times of difficulty (e.g., wars, pandemics), Bishops and  Episcopal  Conferences can give provisional norms which must be obeyed. Obedience safeguards the treasure entrusted to the  Church.” The USCCB has left it to the discretion of the local bishop to determine such norms. I have done so after due consultation with our priests, deacons, staff, civic officials, and experts in medicine and public health. Please remember that we are walking together on a challenging path to recovery as sons and daughters of the  Resurrection. With God’s Grace, we are more than able to accomplish this. Please continue to pray for those most  affected by the COVID-19 virus, especially those who have suffered economic hardship and loss of employment. Pray  for a safe vaccine. Pray for the men and women who serve our community in government, in police and firefighting, in  hospitals and nursing homes, in our military, in our food preparation and delivery services, for our priests and deacons, and for the poor and those most in need. With every good wish I remain, Sincerely Yours in Christ, Most Reverend Michael F. Olson, STD, MA Bishop of Fort Wort

1. CONFESSIONS: We Begin our Return to Church with Confession. Please follow the instructions at the Church for your safety and our safety. Confessions before Mass with consideration according to social distancing norms.  St. John Parish, Strawn 3:00 to 4:00 pm, St. Rita Parish 7:30 to 8:00 am , Ranger  St. Francis Xavier Parish 9:00 to 9:30 am , Eastland Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish 12:30 to 1:00 Pm, Cisco
2.  WEEKEND SCHEDULE: Our Masses will be held at the normal weekend Mass times Saturday at 4 p.m. in St John, Strawn, and Sunday at St. Rita, Ranger 8:00 a.m., St. Francis Xavier, Eastland 9:45 a.m., Holy Rosary, Cisco 11:30 a.m.
3. STAY HOME IF SICK:  Please stay home if you are sick or are experiencing symptoms. If you are ill, you are not bound by the obligation to attend Mass, including on Sunday. Out of charity to others, sick individuals should not attend Mass or other liturgical events. And parishioners 65 years of age and older are not obliged to attend Mass. During this Pandemic time to physically attend Mass is NOT AN OBLIGATION especially for those over the age of 60, their caretakers, the immunocompromised, those who are feeling ill, or those who may have been exposed to COVID-19. We request you NOT TO ATTEND so that we can continue to protect the vulnerable around us.
4. MUST WEAR MASKS: Everyone who comes to Church for Mass MUST WEAR MASKS and all those in your cars who wishes to receive Eucharist in the parking lot MUST WEAR A MASK. For directions on how to make a mask (even without sewing) visit the CDC website.  Please bring your own Masks and hand sanitizer. If you have extra, Masks please bring them to the Church and give it to Deacon. Before you arrive at the Church, wash your hands and sanitize your hands upon arriving at the Church.  Please DO NOT hold your hands for the “Our Father” and the Sign of Peace is suspended
5. SIX FEET DISTANCING: The space at the entrance to the church is marked at 6-foot intervals so that people do not crowd the door and break social distance. No lingering would be allowed in front of the church or in the parking lot. We will limit gatherings according to the accommodation capacity of the church and with 50% occupancy restrictions in place (per the Governor’s order) this means St. Rita Parish, Ranger 90 People, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Eastland 50 people, St. John Parish, Strawn 50 people, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Cisco, 50 people.  The first to arrive will be led by the ushers.  Please follow the instructions from Ushers. Social distancing (6 feet) is to be observed with attendees at all times. Family units may sit together but individuals MUST sit a minimum of 6ft apart coming forward for communion, and upon dismissal so that we can ensure safe distancing. DO NOT congregate will before or after Mass for Good Reasons.
6. THE HOLY COMMUNION: The Holy Communion will be distributed in the hand ONLY. When you come up, receive the host in your hand, step away from the Eucharistic Minister, then use one hand to pull your mask down, before picking up the host to consume it. Then return your mask to its proper place before walking back to your seat or car. We ask you to maintain proper social distancing.
7. THE DONATIONS: The collection baskets and the food drive baskets will be placed in the entrance of the church. Thank you for your generous contribution. (Donate Online. https://stritacatholicranger.org/donations)
8. THE SIGN OF PEACE: The Sign of Peace is temporarily suspended. After the Our Father and Prayer of Peace by the priest, the Lamb of God will follow immediately. We do not encourage the holding of hands during Mass. If applicable, please strongly consider receiving Communion in your hand rather than on the tongue.
9.  FACEBOOK LIVE STREAMING: In addition, the Masses will continues to broadcast Facebook live streaming. During the Masses, there will be an act of spiritual communion.

• https://www.facebook.com/St-Francis-Xavier-Catholic-Church-Eastland-1648267452086256/
• https://www.facebook.com/siant.rita.5. Parish Website: Please visit the parish website for the further updated information.

11. SACRAMENTS: Communion as Viaticum and Anointing of the Sick are to be given in danger of death where possible. In the event where COVID-19 is indicated, appropriate measures will be taken.  Baptisms are to be scheduled by calling the office, except in emergency situations. As a reminder, in the case of emergency, any person can perform a baptism. Quinceañeras are to be to be scheduled by calling the office. (245-210-7091). All other parish gatherings are to remain cancelled at this time. Funeral services will resume. Memorial Masses will be celebrate. It is strongly recommended that no one from a vulnerable population attend a funeral service.
12. CCD: At this moment, all onsite faith formation, religious education and ministry events continue to be suspended. 
13.  No pre- or post-service social gathering is allowed in parish buildings or on parish property.

Please remember that you are in my prayers, as we THANK GOD for opening the Church doors for you, look forward to the great day to celebrate the Liturgy as one family of God. We continue to pray for the end of Pandemic and all the Families, individuals affected by it.

God Bless you!
Fr Vijaya Raju Mareedu
St. Rita Parish, Ranger 1109, Blackwell Road, TX  76470,
St. Francis Xavier Parish, Eastland Halbryan and Foch Street TX  76448
St. John Parish, Strawn 126 Hickory Street TX  76475
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Cisco 1108 Avenue F TX  76437

COVID-19
For and donations and offering please visit online giving 
https://stritacatholicranger.org/donations

"But you are 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His own, so that you may announce the praises' of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."

— 1 Peter 2:9