First and foremost, be sure to wear a mask when entering the church. Your mask must be worn during the entire Mass. Remember NO MASK, NO ENTRY!
Doors will be held open before and after Mass to prevent you from touching the handles, knobs or push plates.
When you arrive, our staff members and Hospitality Ministers will give you directions as to what to do and where to go. They will direct you to specifically marked pews. Please follow their directions. They are trained to do what they do. It is for everyone’s safety and protection
Attendance will be limited to ensure compliance with social distancing requirements. Staff members and hospitality ministers will tell you when the church is full.
PLEASE NOTE: To comply with social distancing and reduce the spread of the virus, once the church reaches its seating capacity (this is for weekend Masses), we will use the Maria Room for the overflow. Mass will be said simultaneously in the Maria Room.
Throughout the Mass, families are to maintain a six-foot distance between themselves and other households, even a household of one individual. There must be six feet of distance between members of one household and members of another.
Every second pew will be left vacant so such that six feet of distance can be maintained in all directions.
The procession at the Preparation of the Gifts, also known as Offertory procession, is suspended. You will no longer come forward to place your donation in baskets by the altar. Instead, your donations or envelopes should be placed in the collection box located by the baptismal font. You will see that box when you enter the church.
There is to be no physical contact at the sign of peace. A simple gesture, such as a bow or nod, is suggested.
During Communion, hospitality ministers wearing masks and gloves will direct you and to assist you in maintaining a single-file line during the distribution of Holy Communion. They will also ensure six-foot distancing in the Communion line. Please follow their directions. There are floor markings in the aisles to facilitate proper six feet social distancing in all directions during Communion.
Our Communion ministers (priests and deacons included) will be masked and sanitize their hands immediately before and after distributing Holy Communion.
Holy Communion may only be received in the hand. Ministers should avoid physical contact when placing the host in the communicant’s hands. Holy Communion from the chalice is prohibited to the assembly
When you are in the Communion line, your mask should still be on. When you stand before the minister of Communion, you should make a slight bow of the head. Respond AMEN when the minister says, “The Body of Christ” then receive the host in your hand. Immediately step to the side, lift or take your mask off, consume the host, put your mask back on and return to your seat.
Those who refrain from receiving communion still unite themselves with the sacrifice of Christ. Noncommunicants are kindly asked to remain in their places rather than coming forward to request a blessing.
After Mass, we ask that families and individuals leave the church in an organized manner wearing masks and observing six feet of distance between other households. Ministers of hospitality will be there to direct this process. Parish bulletins will be available on tables near the doors. The ushers will NOT hand them out.
The priests, deacons, and other ministers may only greet you with a smile or wave of hands as you leave Mass, maintaining social distancing and avoiding physical contact. NO shaking hands! NO “mano” for a blessing!
Everyone must leave the church right after Mass because we are going to sanitize/ disinfect the church for the next Mass. We will close the church right after each Mass and re-open it 15 minutes before the next Mass begins. There are to be no gatherings after Mass or remaining for personal prayer.
The church will be closed after the last Mass every day, Monday to Sunday. In other words, the church will no longer be open each afternoon. The Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession will be available from 12 noon to 1 pm only on Saturdays.
For information regarding other sacramental celebrations, such as baptisms, weddings and funerals, please call the parish office.