Welcome to Santa Rosa Catholic Church

Message from Fr. Thomas Rush, OMI Pastor – Covid-19 

Dear Parishioners of Santa Rosa Parish; 

May the peace and love of God be with you in these days of coronavirus and disruption of so much of how we are accustomed to in our day to day lives. 

I also want to apologize to all of you for not getting this kind of letter out earlier. There have been so many changes in what is being asked of us that each day something new or different seems to be coming up. 

In this letter I will try to offer you the best picture I can of where we are right now. Also, I do it knowing that there could be significant changes by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. 

We do have some basics that we need to emphasize. First of all, there is little dispute that the coronavirus spreads very quickly which means that physical contact and close proximity significantly raise the possibility of passing it from one person to another. 

This means that what we are advised to do is avoid physical contact with each other and even close proximity in closed spaces. Not only does this mean all public Masses, meetings and other activities where more than 10 people gather together are ruled out, Archbishop Gomez has directed all pastors to cancel group activities in all parishes. 

We will not be having public Masses, religious services or gatherings or meetings of any kind. There will be live streaming of Masses, prayers and reflections from the parish. From the cathedral there will also be live streaming of Masses and possibly other prayer services. They are offered as a way of keeping us connected to our faith community during this time of isolation. 

What is offered in the church building–personal, private prayer is also meant to give us the opportunity to maintain prayer and communication with God during the trying times we’re living through. Access to the church, at the same time, is not meant for groups gathering together because that would increase the risk of passing on the virus to others. 

We can see at this time that these measures will need to be taken until the end of this month. Changes in practices can come up at any time. By the end of the month there will be an effort to look at next steps that could be continuing what we’re doing now or going back to something of what we have previously done. 

I am aware, as well, of all the disruption these and other changes have caused in our daily routines and how they have put special financial and other burdens on individuals and families. 

The parish offices will remain closed during this time. Hours when the church will be opened will be posted on the church doors. Live streaming will can be found at www.facebook.com/SantaRosaChurch & archdiocese of los angeles/ lacatholic. The email address and the office telephone number can be used if there is a need to communicate with the parish office. 

I pray that with our faithful efforts to observe the practices being asked of us we will quickly return to a more normal way of living and sharing with each other. May God keep you in his special care, giving you peace and tranquility, freedom from illness and from distress and confidence that he is with you and all your loved ones as we move fitfully into the future. 

Sincerely yours in Christ and Mary Immaculate, 

Fr. Thomas Rush, OMI, Pastor