Dear Flock,

Julie Bowling, our parish office secretary, has remotely worked from her home all this time since the middle of March and Barb Riggins, the evening receptionist, has been opening our parish office every day remaining in the office for the morning. We have not had the office opened for the public after 11:30 AM. Both secretaries have contributed to the regular upkeep of correspondence that parishioners and phone callers need and helped me remain, without a hitch, in contact with all of you through Flocknotes.

Never would I have thought that anyone can keep up with parish work while not in their office desk! It is amazing that this kind of technology is in place. After Barb leaves for the day, Julie can connect to the office computer to get emails, work on schedules, check phone calls, etc. I can pass by the office in the afternoon and simply turn my head to look at her computer screen and there I can see the computer being used by Julie as she opens and responds to your emails with lightening-speed, screen changing and moving like crazy!!! I smile all the time at this.

The parish office will continue to operate, manage, and minister to the church and parish in this fashion throughout the summer months; open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and on Saturday from 9:00 AM until 12:30 PM. Please note that the easiest way to reach Julie would be by email at [email protected]. All of our staff contacts can be found on our parish website.

IHM has suspended all use of its meeting rooms for all parish and civic groups for now. I have used ZOOM for some of my meetings with finance council or communicated either by the phone or email. In terms of my meetings in the Rectory, I have personally begun to meet with brides and grooms for the planning of their weddings. I have also worked with grieving families in preparing their funeral mass and graveside services.

Life is changed, but not ended!

Many blessings,
Father Jim