St. James Catholic Church is open for public Masses! We are dedicated to preventing the transmission of COVID-19 so that our staff, parishioners, and visitors may celebrate their faith safely.

• Mass dispensation lifted beginning Pentecost Sunday: read the full decree here.
• Update following CDC’s updated guidelines on masking and social distancing for those who have been vaccinated: read here.
• Changes to COVID-19 guidelines for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgies and the operation of our parishes, schools and agencies of the Archdiocese of San Antonio: read the letter from Auxiliary Bishop Michael Boulette here.

It absolutely is safe to return to Mass! St. James has faithfully followed guidance from the Archdiocese in COVID-prevention protocols, and are still dedicated to sanitizing the church after each Mass.

However, there are times when we ask that you use prudence when considering returning to Mass:

• you have preexisting conditions or are immunocompromised;
• you are feeling sick, suspect you may be sick, or have been exposed to COVID-19;
• have a sick family member at home;
• are over the age of 65 or are the caretaker of someone who is over 65 (you may attend Mass at your discretion, but please use prudence);
• or if you aren’t ready to return to Mass.

Listen to Archbishop Gustavo’s explanation of the USCCB’s statement concerning COVID-19 vaccines. Read the USCCB’s statement here.

“While Pfizer and Moderna vaccines should be chosen over Johnson and Johnson’s where possible, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said in a statement March 2 that it is ‘morally acceptable’ to receive vaccines when ‘ethically irreproachable’ options are not available. 

“Given the world-wide suffering that this pandemic is causing, we affirm again that being vaccinated can be an act of charity that serves the common good,” the statement said. 

The statement was an update to one released in December that echoed the Vatican’s statement, saying that Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were morally acceptable despite their “remote connection to morally compromised cell lines” due to the gravity of the pandemic.”

St. James will continue to email parishioners with updates. If you have not signed up for our email newsletter or text updates, sign up below!