Safety and Security Update: Daily Mass with Students

My Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

Since the day of the tragedy at Annunciation Church and School on August 27, our leadership team has been in direct communication with members of our local law enforcement.  

In collaboration with Nativity School Principal Kate Wollan and Facilities Director Steve Boatman, among others, we have been appraising our own safety and security measures already in place here at Nativity of Our Lord, and also discerning how else we might ensure that all of our parishioners and students are safe and sound whenever stepping foot on our campus.

Naturally, a focal point of those conversations is how to better secure our parish church, particularly whenever our School children are present. This has led to a discussion on how to better control who has access to the inside of our church building when some of our students join the congregation for daily Mass.

As a result, we have decided to restrict the number of unlocked doors for our 8:15am Masses on Wednesdays and Fridays, beginning this Wednesday, September 17. On those days, our students and teachers (and those otherwise authorized by the School) will enter as usual from the east side of the church. 

All others will be asked to enter by one of three other doors: the main north-facing door on Stanford Ave., the northwest door on Prior Ave., or the elevator door on Prior Ave. All the other doors will be locked and/or reserved for School use only. (Please note that locked doors are always able to be opened from the inside.)

Locking the doors of the church during the daytime hours — and certainly during liturgies — is something we’ve never had to do here at Nativity.  But, unfortunately, that status quo is something we no longer consider possible to maintain.  

We do realize that there will be some level of inconvenience experienced for some of our parishioners and community members, and we don’t take that lightly. We also understand that the safety and security of locked doors comes at the expense of our ability to be fully welcoming to those who wish to worship at our liturgies. With that in mind, we will be preparing signage to help direct people to the open doors. 

That said, if you notice anyone heading towards a locked door, or otherwise doesn’t seem aware of the new policy, please lend a helping and welcoming hand! Together we can all help ensure that everyone continues to feel welcome at our parish, even as we work to increase safety and shore up our security.  

Thank you all for your patience and understanding as we roll out this new policy on Wednesday and Friday mornings.

In Jesus Christ Our Lord,
Fr. Rolf Tollefson, Pastor of Nativity of Our Lord