The people of the Archdiocese are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
If someone is vulnerable and not feeling well, they should not celebrate Mass in church with other people.
Attendance at Mass: The number of people who can gather in the church is 50% of the occupancy of the church. This applies also to Baptisms, Weddings, funerals, and receiving candidates who are to enter the church. This number will increase gradually.
First Communion can be celebrated with 50% occupancy on Sunday or a weekday.
For those who feel obliged to fulfill the Sunday obligation, a weekday Mass could accomplish this.
Additional Vigil Masses, Sunday and weekday Masses may be added to accommodate more people.
Ushers must do their best to enforce the 50% occupancy rule.
Family members may sit in the same pew.
Social distancing must be observed 6 feet apart. (This may necessitate roping off pews or putting markers for people to sit.) Six feet apart applies to the communion line as well.
Make sure all ministers (clergy and lay) observe proper hygiene of their hands.
Encourage people to wear a mask for Mass.
Regarding the celebration of Mass:
1. The Priest, Deacons, and EMHC should wear a mask at communion. 2. Give communion with no bodily contact. Gently let the hosttouch the person’s hand and drop it in their hand withouttouching them. 3. Communion on the tongue is not encouraged but permitted. 4. The chalice with the precious blood is not to be offered. 5. The sign of peace can be given by bowing to the other person. 6. As people depart from Mass, social distancing must be observed.
Our Saturday Vigil, 4:00 pm and Sunday 9:00 am, 11:00 am, and 5:00 pm Masses are streamed live each week.
CAPACITY & SEAT RESERVATION
We offer Mass in three different locations during the weekends: In the New Church, Weseman Center, and St. Joseph's Hall
You may reserve your seat online before each weekend by clicking Here
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
“We will have masks available for you in baskets at all entrances of the church, the Weseman Center, and St. Joseph Hall.”
Wash your hands.
For those 10 and up, face coverings are suggested on our campus and during Mass.
We suggest that you bring your own hand sanitizer that can be used before receiving Holy Communion.
DO NOT bring items that contain bleach into the sanctuary as this will damage the pews.
MASS ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
Masks (for ages 10+) should be worn as soon as you exit your vehicle.
The main doors of the church will open 15 minutes prior to the start of Mass.
You may be sharing a pew with another household, but social distancing is required between the households (6ft).
The holy water fonts remain empty.
MASS PROCEDURES
Masses will be conducted as you have seen on the Live Stream with reduced volunteer lay ministers. There will be no altar servers or choirs.
There is to be no physical contact between households at the Sign of Peace or hand-holding during the Lord’s Prayer.
Ushers will continue to social distance during the collection. We strongly encourage online giving. You can do so by clickingHERE.
COMMUNION PROCEDURES
Communion will not be offered on the tongue for the time being.
The precious blood will not be offered to the congregation.
The use of personal hand sanitizer before communion is strongly encouraged.
MASS DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
All exits of the church will be utilized during departure.
You can drop your weekly offertory as you depart.
Clergy will not shake hands in the piazza. They will wave as you exit.
Please do not congregate outside but head directly to your vehicle to allow the next Mass to start on time.
CHURCH CLEANING PROCEDURES
We will continue to implement cleanliness and sanitization practices, including cleaning pews in between every Mass.
Disinfecting bathrooms, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces occur throughout the day.
You are reminded to follow CDC recommendations regarding your own health. If you fall into an “at-risk” category, please stay home and join us by Live Stream.
SACRAMENTS
Reconciliation: Confession is available on Saturday's (3:00 pm-3:40 pm) and by appointment.