To form disciples who joyfully live out the Mission of Jesus Christ in Bowie

May 10, 2020

REOPENING UPDATE

If you’re following the news, you know that Governor Hogan has unveiled a plan for the eventual reopening of businesses, workplaces, public spaces and churches.

The timeline of this plan indicates that we are still several weeks if not months away from opening our doors again for public Masses.

Here at St. Pius we’ve formed a Reopening Committee comprised of our parish staff and a group of parishioners. Here are the names of the parishioners serving on our Reopening Committee: Mary Dawn Blackmon, Jose Boluda, Deacon Jim Doyle, Rae Huggins, Harolyn Smith, Katie Summers, and Dave Tully.

We are working out all the details so that we can welcome you back to church.

We do know that social distancing and masks will be mandatory for those who attend Mass. This will result in many changes, including how people can come to church and how we distribute holy communion.

And I am very sympathetic to those in vulnerable or at-risk groups who decide it’s safer to stay home. We will continue with our online worship even after public Masses start again.

So I just want to assure you we are hard at work on a plan and that your health and safety is our top priority. In the weeks to come we’ll provide more details through our e-bulletin, our website and our online Masses. Be sure to sign up to receive our communications if you haven’t already.

Please keep praying for me, our staff and all those who will make our reopening possible. Know that I am praying for you everyday and in every Mass.

God bless you!

-Fr. Mike Jones

Aswe enter our 8th week of providing online Mass, we're curious as to how people are worshipping. Thank you in advance for providing us with some information.

How are you watching Mass?

at spxbowie.online.church

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on SPX's Facebook page

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on SPX's YouTube page

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on TV (from the Archdiocese of Washington or somewhere else)

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some other online source

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I'm not watching Mass online right now

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If you're not currently watching our SPX Mass Online because of tech difficulties, please email us HERE so that we can contact you and help you get connected.

As the spread of COVID-19 continues to impact many individuals and families, we want to help. We compiled some resources to help those looking for support during this challenging time.

We have resources for Financial Support, Emotional Support, Food & Material Support, & Medical Support.

Click HERE check it out.

WORSHIP

We hope you're planning on joining us

for Mass this weekend at

You can find us at spxbowie.online.church on

Saturday at 5 pm and

Sunday at 7:30 am / 9:00 am / 11:30 am

The worship aid for this Mass can be found HERE.

You can also find our Mass on YouTube or FaceBook starting at 5 pm on Saturday.

Make a 'Spiritual Communion'In these cases where you are unable to attend Mass, the Church encourages us to make an act of “spiritual communion,” where we unite ourselves to God through prayer. It is a beautiful way to express to God our desire to be united with him when we are unable to complete that union in the reception of Holy Communion. Here's what you do:

Gather with others in your household and begin a time of prayer with the sign of the cross.
Take time to read and reflect upon the readings from Sunday Mass. You can find the readings for this Sunday, May 10, HERE.
Share prayer intentions quietly or aloud.
Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Pray 'An Act of Spiritual Communion by St. Alphonsus Liguori'
- My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
  Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Close with the sign of the cross.

If you can't join SPX online for Mass, you can also tune in to:

A Mass filmed in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception airs every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on WDCW-50 and through free online streaming at adw.org/tvmass
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception livestreams Mass each Sunday at 12 pm. You can watch at nationalshrine.org/mass.

Looking for a way to invite people to Mass Online?

Know someone who needs Jesus in their life?

It's never been easier for people to give SPX a try.

We've got some resources to help you do just that!

Go to spxbowie.org/invite to check them out.

GIVE

Weekly Offertory Update

On May 3, we received $7,709.00.

Our average weekly offertory has been $9,500.00 previously.

On April 26, we received $3,625.00.

Our average weekly offertory has been $9,500.00 previously.

On April 19 we received $6,580.00.

Our average weekly offertory has been $9,500.00 previously.

On April 12, Easter Sunday, we received $16,676.00

In comparison, Easter 2019 offertory was $19,823.00.

With the long-term economic and social impact of this situation, we encourage parishioners to please continue to financially give to make sure the parish can operate not just in these coming weeks, but in the months to follow. Our ability to offer activities and formation opportunities relies solely on the continued generosity of our parishioners. You can give in the following ways:

SPX needs your support now more than ever! Join those who are using Faith Direct for automated giving. Faith Direct offers a safe and secure way to donate to our parish in this time of uncertainty. There is no cost to you, and the program provides a great benefit to our parish. Use Faith Direct to make a one-time donation or set up recurring donations instead of using your offertory envelopes. Click HERE.

Mail your donations to the Rectory Office: St. Pius X Church, 3300 Moreland Place, Bowie MD 20715.

MESSAGE SERIES

When Jesus appeared to his disciples on Easter Sunday he did three things: 1 He gave them peace, 2 He gave them the Holy Spirit, and 3 He gave them a mission: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (John 20: 19-22). Followers of the Risen Christ are ‘sent’ - sent to share His peace with others, sent to give the Holy Spirit to them and sent to tell the Good News. Now more than ever it’s important for us to be who we’re called to be as members of His Body, the Church. We are called to be a new Church.

Continue the experience at home by listening to or reading the messages again HERE.

KIDS & STUDENTS

One of the things that we love most about SPX are the amazing ways

that we connect to our youngest members.

And we don't want that to stop even though we can't physically be together.

Check below for ways to stay connected!

For those kiddos who regularly attend KidMin, you've already been getting the great content sent to you each week. BUT, we want to make that content available to all the kids of the parish. Our Kids' content is geared towards those in grades K - 5. Click below to have it delivered straight to your inbox each week!

Join Kids of SPX

Our online Mass has been a fantastic opportunity to worship together, but we know that the kids have been missing SLAM.

Which is why we're SO excited that Miss Kelsey is back with SLAM: Home Edition. You can watch the video below for a message crafted just for them!

Calling all those in 6th - 8th grade!

We'd love to stay in touch and share with you some ways to continue to grow deeper in your faith each week. Click below to have it delivered straight to your inbox each week!

Join MSM Students & Parents

Hey All High Schoolers!

Miss Jen has been working on ways to stay in touch and provide you with resources to keep learning more about Jesus at home until we are able to see each other again. Click below to join our email list!

Join HSM Students & Parents

CONNECT

Have you wanted to join a small group?

It's easier than ever.

On Monday nights we will be offering a "drop-in" online small group. Register once and we will send you instructions on how to log in to our Zoom meeting. Then come when you can - starting Monday May 11 (from 7:30-8:30 PM). Each week we'll have a chance to check in, connect with others, and then talk about the Fr. Mike's message at mass. Register HERE.

SERVE

SPX Online HOST Ministry

With the start of SPX Online and our ability to worship together at spxbowie.online.church, Facebook, and YouTube we are in need of people to serve as 'hosts' for each of our Masses. All you need is your computer and training is provided. Contact Katie Skerpon HERE if you're interested in serving - you can even be in your PJs!

Prayer Team Ministry

One of the best ways that we can support each other during this pandemic is through prayer. We have been receiving prayer requests via our online Masses, the form on our website and the calls going out to our members. These requests are passed on to those serving in our Prayer Team Ministry via a twice weekly email. They are asked to pray intentionally for each request throughout the week. Contact Katie Skerpon HERE if you're interested in serving in this way.

Helping Hands Ministry

This ministry is back up and running to assist members during this difficult time. In order to maintain the safety of those serving and those being served, at this time we're able to offer grocery delivery only.

If you are in NEED of someone to deliver groceries to your house OR
if you'd like to volunteer for this ministry (volunteers must be under the age of 60)

Call 301.262.2141 ex. 10 or email spxhelpinghands@gmail.com so that the coordinator can get you connected.

Sharing Pantry

The need for donations to our Sharing Pantry is growing amid this crisis. We always need: cereal, peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti noodles, canned veggies, tuna fish, soup, canned fruit, boxed noodles or Mac N Cheese.

To meet this unique situation, we've set-up an easy way for you to donate:

every Tuesday & Thursday you can place non-perishable food items in the coolers outside the SCHOOL ENTRANCE from 8 am - 2 pm.

SEND US YOUR PICTURES

We know how hard it is to not be able to physically gather for Mass.... we miss you too!

In an effort to remember all our members joined in prayer, each family's name has been printed and taped to one of our pews as a placeholder.... and names are great, but...

WE WANT YOUR FACES!

Each family is asked to send a picture to us so that we can print it out and replace your name card with that picture.

You can email your pictures to adults@spxbowie.org

OR

mail it to

SPX Rectory

3300 Moreland Place

Bowie, MD 20715