To our parishioners at Our Lady of the Angels,

These are unprecedented circumstances in which we currently live. For a community that is centered in being together to worship, celebrate, grieve and share the Eucharist, our current inability to gather adds to the trying circumstances. Please know that our community is united in our faith no matter where we are and we will return to our beautiful worship space as soon as it is safe to do so, blessed to once again be together.

CANCELLATION of ON-CAMPUS ACTIVITIES and SACRAMENTS
Our Bishop has asked us to refrain from coming to the Church to pray together. Bishop Dewane wrote, "Guidelines have been established that call for further limiting of public gatherings. Therefore, out of pastoral concern for all, and after prayer and discernment, as well as hearing from the priests and the faithful, I announce that the regularly scheduled Masses and other Liturgical events in parish churches in the Diocese of Venice will be suspended from March 20, 2020 until after Easter, when the situation can be re-evaluated. Visitation to churches to pray is also suspended."

Bishop Dewane's suspension of church visitations does not merely mean gatherings inside a building but refraining from traveling and gathering anywhere outside the church as well. As a result, we are called to practice the virtue of obedience and cannot promote gathering on the parish grounds. As difficult as these circumstances are, we should feel encouraged to be part of the containment of this pandemic.

Until we are able to meet in person the following resources are available to you:

SOCIAL MEDIA and BULLETIN

• Facebook – Please “friend” our page at Ola Angels then “Like” and “Follow” us at Our Lady of the Angels. Doing so will give you the most access to the live stream events and posts from OLA. 
• YouTube – Subscribe to our page at Our Lady of the Angels: youtube.com/channel/UC7KqWjx0F5MNpfG      foS14A
• Website – Please bookmark our website at www.olangelscc.org and visit us frequently for new information. We have added a page titled OLA@Home to offer links, events and information needed at this current time: olangelscc.org/home
• Bulletin – Our bulletin is available on our website each week. Parishioners are also invited to sign up to receive it by email: olangelscc.org/publications/subscribe...

The staff is working to add valuable links for prayer and faith formation, reflections from our team, photos of your church home and maybe even some fun things to help you cope. Please visit us often!

DAILY and SUNDAY MASS
Join us on Facebook Live for daily Mass at 9:00 am Monday through Saturday and at 10:00 am on Sunday.  A video of the Mass is available on Facebook and YouTube and on our website each day.

MINISTRIES
Our youth, young adults, and RCIA candidates have already begun meeting remotely as is the Walking with Purpose Ministry. All ministries are encouraged to keep in contact; either by phone or email or by gathering online through apps such as Facebook Live, Google Hangouts and Zoom.

ONLINE GIVING
Please know that we are committed to continuing the good work of our parish at this time.  Our parish is dependent upon your weekly financial gifts to continue its ministries in this critical time of crisis when we are not able to go to Mass.  Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

If your circumstances allow continued giving, you may transition to online giving using this link:  olangelscc.weshareonline.org.. You may also mail your weekly offertory donations to the Parish: 12905 SR 70 E, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 or place them in the drop box outside the front door of the parish offices.  

OUTREACH
The St. Joseph Food Pantry is in need of non-perishable goods for distribution to a growing number of  needy. Donations may be brought to church and left in the bin that has been relocated outside the front church entrance or in the bin the parish center. A weekly trip will be made to take the donations to the food pantry.

Join us in prayer for the repose of those who have died, for the recovery of those who are sick, for the strength of healthcare workers and caregivers, and for an end to this health crisis.  Please be assured of our prayers for all of you, and know that our Parish community is here for you.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr Mike, Fr. Augustine, Fr. Phil and the Parish Staff