RETURNING TO WORSHIP SAFELY (updated July 1, 2020)
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 122:1) All of us are excited to return to our worship space, and we are excited to see all of you again! The following is a list of things you should know before you return to our worship space in order to safely celebrate the Holy Mass once again altogether.
Also, we ask you to remember to be sensitive to your fellow parishioners. Some parishioners may be feeling less cautious, some parishioners may be feeling overly cautious, but wherever you are on that spectrum - we ask you to be respectful to all people and follow our directives in order to maintain a safe atmosphere for everyone.
As you can imagine, after preparing our church space with six feet distance between each pew, it does not leave us with much space left! Here are our expectations for coming to Mass:
ALL PARISHIONERS MAY ATTEND MASS UP UNTIL WE HAVE REACHED OUR MAX CAPACITY ALLOWED BY GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS
SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE: SATURDAY 4:00PM (Holy Name of Jesus): Maximum capacity 80 people. Church Doors will open at 3:30pm.
SUNDAY 9:00AM (St. Alphonsus Liguori): Maximum capacity 50 people. Church Doors will open at 8:30am.
SUNDAY 11:15AM (Holy Name of Jesus): Maximum capacity 80 people. Church Doors will open at 10:45am.
WEEKDAY MASSES: (same capacity restrictions apply) WEDNESDAY 9:00AM (St. Alphonsus Liguori) THURSDAY 5:15PM (Holy Name of Jesus) FRIDAY 9:00AM (Holy Name of Jesus)
Please remember that a dispensation from the obligation to attend mass remains in place during this time of limited capacity. Because there is usually lower attendance at Mass during the weekdays, you may consider coming during the week instead of the weekend.
CONFESSIONS: Keeping social distancing, and minimizing risk, only the following times of Confession will be offered for our community at this time: Saturdays – 3:00pm – 3:30pm at Holy Name of Jesus During confessions, you will be required to wear a mask, sanitize your hands before entry into the confessional, stand behind the confessional screen for the duration of confession, and be as brief as possible to limit exposure.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE COMING TO MASS:
PRIOR TO COMING TO MASS: - If you are not feeling well, have a temperature over 37.5C, or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or any illness, you may not under any circumstance attend Mass. - We ask you to stay at home if you have been exposed to a case of COVID-19 or feeling symptoms of any illness. - Masks are mandatory by Diocesan Policy. Please bring your own mask and wear it at all times when you attend Mass. - Wash your hands before leaving for church. - To reduce the risk and the need for cleaning, it is recommended that you use the restroom at your home and not at the church, though the restrooms at the church will be open for emergencies only. - Although the church will have ample hand sanitizer, you may wish to bring your own to keep in your purse or pocket.
WHEN ARRIVING AT CHURCH: - Please note that for the time being the church building will only open to the public 30 minutes before the celebration of Mass. We ask that you respect this current situation to allow for maximum cleaning of the inside of the church. - When arriving at the building, we know that you will be excited to see your fellow parishioners you haven’t seen in a while. Please remember to keep your distance (6ft), and refrain from shaking hands, embracing or hugging. - You must wear a face mask inside the church out of concern for each other. Because priests are far enough away from the assembly when they are in the sanctuary, they do not need to wear a mask there. However, even the priest will wear a mask to distribute the Eucharist. - Upon entry into the church entrance, we ask you to immediately sanitize your hands with the sanitizer that is provided. - You are asked to use the centre aisle to find your seat - we have blocked off a number of pews in order to keep the required distance. If you require assistance, our volunteers will be there to direct your path. - Families who are already sharing the same household or “social bubble” are permitted to sit together. - If you have brought with you your Sunday Offering envelope, you are asked to drop it in the baskets at the entrance, as the ushers will not be coming pew to pew to collect them.
DURING MASS: - If at any time during Mass, you begin to feel ill, we ask you to leave immediately. - Please keep your mask on for the duration of Mass. - The Sign of Peace in the usual way will not take place, but you are asked instead to give a wave or simple bow to express peace to your fellow parishioners. - We ask for your patience after Mass as we try to exit the church without causing congestion in the entryway. Please do not leave your pew until you are directed. - Following Mass, our churches will be sanitized by volunteers.
RECEIVING THE EUCHARIST: - The Eucharist will be distributed only under the Body of Christ - the Precious Blood will not be offered at this time. - We ask you to exit your pew one person at a time and follow the markers on the centre aisle floor maintaining six feet distance from the person in front of you. - You are asked to remove your mask. After you have removed your mask, we ask you to sanitize using the hand sanitizer provided in the aisle. - When you approach to receive the Eucharist, we ask you to receive only in the hand for the time being. This is a temporary restriction. If you are uncomfortable receiving the Eucharist in the hands, you can make a spiritual communion instead, or receive a blessing. When receiving the Eucharist - please extend your hands, one over the other, and leave the top palm as flat as possible for the priest to delicately place the Eucharist in your palm. - Return to your seat by the side aisles leaving a six foot distance from the person in front of you in the aisle. Hand sanitizer will be available if you would like to sanitize after receiving Holy Communion.
IMPORTANT: If you suddenly feel ill, start coughing or sneezing, please leave the church for the health and safety of others. If within 14 days of attending Mass, you learn that you or someone in your family who attended Mass with you has tested positive for COVID-19, you are asked to: a) contact the Ontario Public Health Authority; and, b) contact the parish office. Your identity will not be revealed to anyone other than the Public Health Authority, and only to ensure that the spread is contained.
SUNDAY OBLIGATION - During this time of reopening, the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday remains lifted. Therefore no one is obligated to attend Mass in person, but if you are not coming to church, please watch our Sunday Broadcast of Mass from your home.
SUNDAY MASS BROADCASTS - We will continue to broadcast an online Mass for those who are unable to attend Mass, those who are immunocompromised, or those who do not yet feel comfortable returning to church. You may access this broadcast in the same way you have been doing up until now – on our parish website, social media pages, and our YouTube Channel.
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT - At this time, Adoration hours in the church are not permitted.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY/ST. MICHAEL’S ATRIUM - Unfortunately, at this time, programs for children during Mass are not permitted.
SUNDAY SOCIALS - Unfortunately, Sunday socials are not permitted in the usual way. We may offer an alternative in the near future.
OTHER SACRAMENTS/CELEBRATIONS: · Baptisms: Are not permitted during Mass, but are permitted with close family present at a time outside of the celebration of Mass. Please contact the parish office. · Confessions: See times listed above. · Confirmation of RCIA Candidates: Our RCIA Candidates were unable to be received into the Church on Easter weekend, therefore arrangements will be made with each individual candidate. · Weddings: At this time, weddings are permitted in the church with the same 30% capacity restrictions. · Funerals: At this time, funerals are permitted in the church with the same 30% capacity restrictions.
Lastly, it is a privilege to be able to return to church. We are doing our best with all the many restrictions placed upon us, so please be patient with us. It’s going to be different, but please cooperate with our volunteers, come with an open heart and with regard for the safety of others, and let us worship and praise God together in the best way we can! Let us go to the house of the Lord! (Psalm 122:1)