Dear Parish Family,

Public Masses are able to begin Saturday, May 30. Obviously, this is the news that we’ve all been waiting for, and so we give thanks to God that we are able to come to Mass again. However, there are a number of conditions, directives, and guidelines that have been issued by the Diocese, and so the challenge is putting them into practice.  

Under “necessary conditions for the resumption of public Masses”:

• Face coverings and masks are to be worn by the faithful, who are 2 years of age or older, in and around the church. “No mask = no Mass.” If anyone can donate masks to the parish, it would be greatly appreciated. Those who are proficient in sewing might consider making masks for those who do not have any.

• The parish does not have masks to give out. We do have sanitizer that will be available, but if you can bring your own, that would help us out.

• The church must be cleaned and sanitized after each Mass. We could use healthy volunteers to help with this.  If you are able to stay after Mass and help with this, please contact me to let us know at which Mass you could help, so we know well in advance.

• Social distancing is to be practiced at all times. Please leave every other pew empty - we have them marked.  Those living in the same household do not need to practice social distancing among themselves.    Blue tape indicates where you can sit so that there is 6 feet social distancing. Please adjust this if couples or members of one household are sitting together. Social distancing includes the Communion line.  Ushers will dismiss pews one at a time to control flow. We will need ushers at each of the Masses to help with the Communion line. 

• We are limited to 25% capacity, but at 6 feet apart, the capacity numbers are about 100 households (150 people) at St. Denis and 60 households (70 people) at St. Mary. We will try using Eventbrite.com to allow you to sign up as to which Mass you want to attend.

• Because we need to place a cap on numbers attending, we will be using only one door in each church building for you to enter.  You can exit through any door.  At St. Denis, we will enter through the North West door {by the parking lot on Denissen Street); at St. Mary, we will enter through the North door (facing Main Street).

Mass Times:

Weekend Mass will be at the usual times - on Saturday 4 pm at St Denis, on Sunday 8:30 am at St Mary and 10:30 am at St Denis. 

Weekday Mass will be at 10 am with the Rosary at 10:40 am.  Monday, Wednesday, Friday at St Denis.  Tuesday and Thursday at St Mary.

Distribution of Holy Communion will not take place at the usual time, but immediately following the end of Mass:

• There will be no reception of Communion from the chalice.

• Please remove your mask just before receiving Communion.

• If you choose to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, we ask you to please come up to receive after those receiving in the hand.

Other items:

• Collection baskets will not be used.  There will be collection boxes installed at each of the entrances where you may deposit your offering when you arrive at Mass.

• There will be no offertory procession (i.e., the gifts will not be brought up).

• No sign of peace.

• The holy water fonts will remain empty.

• EMHC’s will not be able to take Holy Communion to the sick or home bound. 

• There will be no altar servers or choir (only cantors) at this time.

Finally, anyone who is ill, caring for the sick, immunocompromised or over 65 years of age is encouraged to stay home. In light of this, the faithful are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until August 30, 2020.  However, the obligation to keep Sunday as a day of the Lord cannot be dispensed.  This is a Commandment of God.  Even if one is unable to attend Mass on Sunday, the day must still be kept holy. One can do this by watching the Mass on livestream or EWTN, praying the Rosary, reading the Sunday readings and prayerfully reflecting on them, etc.

 

A couple of final notes (for now):

The parish offices remain closed until further notice. 

All non-liturgical gatherings remain suspended. 

 

As you can see, this is not going to be easy.  It will be frustrating at times (especially at the beginning) and inconvenient.  There are a lot of things in the above list that I know many people will not like.  There are things that I don’t like.  But these are all things that we are being asked to implement as best as possible.  Please be patient and understanding.  There's going to be a lot of adjustment along the way.  We all know that when we return, it's not going to be the way it was before. No one knows what the future holds for us. But we need to make the best of the situation that we're in, still striving to become the saints that God has created us to be. Let us pray for each other and encourage each other more than ever before.

 

God bless you, Sister Maria Inviolata, SMDG