St. Paul The Apostle 

Catholic Church

At the direction of Bishop Spalding, ALL PUBLIC MASSES AND ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELED THROUGH APRIL 24, 2020, due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Please see our COVID-19 page to find information on how to view Mass online during this period. 

April 1, 2020

Dear Members of St. Paul and St. Mark Parishes,

It was with regret that Bishop Spalding extended the cancellation of all public celebrations of Mass, confirmations, and all other gatherings (devotions, meetings, etc.) through April 24, 2020. This is an extraordinary decision that expresses how seriously our Bishop takes the Coronavirus threat. Even in the 1918 Influenza pandemic, churches in Nashville were closed for only one weekend. This restriction on public group prayer makes personal private prayer even more important. I will continue to celebrate Mass privately each day for your intentions and the good of the parishes.

The immediate consequence of Bishop Spalding's decision for the Diocese of Nashville is that it will not be possible to celebrate Holy Week, the Triduum, or Easter Sunday in the presence of the Faithful. However, the Bishop has the authority to delay the Chrism Mass until after the restrictions are lifted, sometime after April 24th, and he has announced that he will use that authority. Any celebrations that have been scheduled, such as baptisms and weddings will be rescheduled. Those persons in the RCIA will be received into the Church at a later date, and Pentecost Sunday (May 31st) is the suggested alternative date.
At present, First Communion is scheduled for the first weekend in May in both parishes. Even though later than the current extension date of April 24th, it still may be necessary to reschedule First Communion. The same is true for Confirmation, currently scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2020. I will inform you as we learn more in the coming weeks.

The Bishop has encouraged parishes to make blessed Palms available for this weekend, Palm Sunday. We have those palms already. The diocese is sending yellow ribbons with a special prayer to be attached to the blessed palms for display in their homes. The yellow ribbon has been used for at least four hundred years as a symbol of solidarity in the context of separation. The earliest known example was the long yellow ribbon that connected ships and the land before they set sail. During times of upheaval, such as the Civil War, the hostage-taking in Iran in 1980, and the Gulf Wars in the 1990's, the yellow ribbon expressed solidarity with soldiers in combat. The song, "She Tied A Yellow Ribbon in Her Hair," was based on a custom that women who were engaged to a soldier who was away from home wore the yellow ribbon as a sign of her loyal attachment to the missing loved one. In some way, all of these examples express the human experience of separation and the hope of restoration, important themes of Holy Week.

The Palms, ribbons, and prayer will be available at St. Paul Church on a table in the vestibule on Saturday from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday during daylight hours.  At St. Paul Church you are also encouraged to pick up available Holy Week materials, such as a copy of "Catholic Update" and a Missalette, for use at home during Holy Week and Easter. At St. Mark Church the blessed Palms, yellow ribbons, and the prayer will be available from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Bishop Spalding reminds all Catholics that while dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday, the fast and abstinence regulations still are in effect for Good Friday. Fasting applies to all adults from age 18 to 60. Abstinence from meat on Good Friday is for all persons who have reached the age of 14 years. Of course, this applies only to persons who are in good health or who would not be harmed by keeping these disciplines.

As a sign of the solidarity of the Catholics of our Diocese, Bishop Spalding's Easter Sunday Mass from the Cathedral will be televised live on WZTV Fox 17 at 11 a.m. By now, you have found many sources of the celebration of the Mass on the Internet. But our Bishop's Easter celebration will be a special one for us. I encourage you to join our Bishop and watch that Mass on Easter Sunday.
May God deliver us from all evil.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Stephen Klasek, Pastor

Updated Letter from Fr. Klasek PDF

Dear Parishioners,
St. Paul's church has ordered the attached “Way of the Cross” with emphasis on the global pandemic for our parishioners to pray at home during this time. Please take advantage of this opportunity!

The Way of the Cross: A Prayer for Hope and Healing Amidst a Global Pandemic
 

We are still in lent and making our journey through the 40 days as Jesus did.  We hope “The Way of the Cross: A Prayer for Hope and Healing Amidst a Global Pandemic” will help you carry your cross and follow the way of Christ. Please pray for those who are sick and for our parish.  
-Father Steve Klasek

To give, visit:
https://offertory.dioceseofnashville.com/ 
and select St. Paul the Apostle
in the drop-down menu. 

 

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the continued financial stewardship of parishioners and friends during this time. With public Masses suspended for the near future, I’m asking every family to do what they can to support our parishes through electronic giving.

- Bishop J. Mark Spalding