From the Pastor's Pen - Thankfully our churches can remain open during this latest "State of Emergency/Stay home" order, permitting up to 15% of our normal seating capacity. This will last for 4 weeks until May 5, but it may be extended beyond that if the government feels it is necessary. Let us continue to celebrate with joy the Resurrection of the Lord during the 50 days of our Easter Season!
God bless. 
Fr. Chris

From the Pastor's Pen - Today the province announced another state of emergency and stay home order for 28 days beginning Thursday April 8.  We are expecting an announcement from the diocese tomorrow, but I believe at this time that our churches will still be able to stay open to 15% seating capacity, as they are while in the Grey-Lockdown category. Please stay tuned for any further updates. Let's continue to pray for and support one another in these challenging times. 
God bless.
Fr. Chris

From the Pastor's Pen - We are about to enter into the "Sacred Triduum" or the "Great Three Days".  On Holy Thursday evening we celebrate the Last Supper, commemorating the Institution of the Eucharist, the Institution of the Priesthood and the washing of the disciples' feet - symbolizing the humble service we are asked to give others as Christians.  On Good Friday we commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross, which was his victory over sin. On Easter Sunday we celebrate the greatest event in the history of the world - Jesus' resurrection, which was his victory over death and which gained for us the gift of eternal life! 

On a personal note, after having been exposed to someone with the Covid virus, I have been directed by public health to self-isolate for 14 days.  I am feeling fine and have tested negative for the virus, but still must remain in isolation, unfortunately until after Easter. I am grateful to our parish team and visiting priests who will be covering for me during this time.  Please be assured of my prayers for you all.  Have a blessed Easter weekend!
Fr. Chris

From the Pastor's Pen - General Absolution before Easter - We will be offering the special form of the Sacrament of Reconciliation known as "General Absolution" at the following times: 
Thursday Mar 25 8:15am at St. Michael's Dresden
Friday Mar 26 8:30am at Holy Family Wallaceburg
Tuesday Mar 30 6:10pm at Sacred Heart Port Lambton
Wednesday Mar 31 at 6:10pm at Our Lady Help of Christians Wallaceburg
All are welcome to come and be reconciled to the Lord and to prepare our hearts to celebrate the Easter mysteries!
Chatham-Kent has now been designated as a "red zone", but that does not change our church seating, which remains at 30% capacity.  Port Lambton is in the "Grey-Lockdown" category, which permits 15% seating capacity for churches. Walpole Island has just gone to lockdown today as well.  Let us continue to pray for one another, especially those most suffering from the effects of the corona virus -  either directly or indirectly.

God bless.
Fr. Chris

From the Pastor's Pen - Update re: Sacred Heart Port Lambton and Grey-Lockdown restrictions - Effective Monday, Mar 15, 2021 Sarnia-Lambton is in the Grey-Lockdown covid classification. A new change to that classification is that church attendance for religious ceremonies will be at 15% of normal seating capacity (we previously didn't have our churches open at that classification for masses and only allowed 10 people in church for baptisms and funerals).  So I am happy to announce after hearing from the bishop today that we will be open for masses at Sacred Heart to 15%, so 50 people will be allowed in the main body of the church and up to 18 people can be in the hall for overflow.  Chatham-Kent is currently still in the orange category and allows 30% seating capacity.  There will be mass at Sacred Heart Tuesday Mar 16 at 7pm.
God bless.
Fr. Chris

Dear parishioners, we received a couple of important Covid updates today.
Firstly, a parishioner who attended the 10:30 mass Sunday Mar 7 at OLHC has tested positive for Covid 19.
I have been in touch with the health unit and the diocese.  The infected person has already been dealing with a case investigator at the public health unit. 
With our precautions of masks, distancing and sanitizing in place, the health unit does not feel it necessary to call individually all who were at the mass at this time, though they recommend a general announcement to let people know.
Secondly, Sarnia-Lambton will be moving to the Grey-Lockdown category effective Monday March 15 due to an increase in Covid cases.  Sacred Heart Parish, being in Lambton County, will not be able to have Sunday mass or Tuesday evening mass beginning Mar 15 until they come out of the Lockdown category.  Baptisms and funerals for up to 10 people (including the priest) will however, still be allowed while in the Grey-Lockdown category. 
Let us continue to pray for one another.
God bless.
Fr. Chris

From the Pastor's Pen - Our latest update from the diocese issued Friday Feb 26 permits catechetical sessions to be held in the church in the context of a prayer service.  It also once again permits the presider, deacon and readers to remove their mask while reading or leading prayers. Stations of the cross may be prayed in the church, with one person permitted to go from station to station.  Booklets, like bulletins, are not permitted to be distributed to the congregation at this time.  Our parish offices are to remain closed to the public for the time being as well. Let's continue to pray for and support one another in this difficult time!

God bless.
Fr. Chris

Is it Okay for Catholics to be Vaccinated Against COVID-19?
The letter from the CCCB, written by the bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, explains why taking the COVID-19 vaccine is morally permissible according to Catholic teachings. The letter is available at http://www.forums.dionet.ca/.../2020_12_02_Letter%20to...
The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna/NIH vaccines have been deemed “ethically sourced” by the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute (CCBI) and others. With the Lozier Institute, the CCBI has been following the development the vaccines and you can learn more about their analysis at http://www.ccbi-utoronto.ca/2020/11/27/ccbi-resources-for-covid-19-november-27-2020/?fbclid=IwAR1hNvKTuN24rc2hlM_4jp-u6YoV8vEwnY3BXbjjRKy7_5wo9myhEPfhJLM