Mass Safety Protocols
Beginning September 4, 2021, we ask that all Mass attendees wear face masks in our church. This request is being made at the recommendation of the CDC, which has announced that in areas of high transmission, masks should be worn in public indoor settings (even if vaccinated) to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others.
Every other pew in the back sections of the church are blocked off for those who would like to maintain distance from other households.
Mass Livestreaming
Though the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation has been reinstated, we will continue to livestream our Masses for the foreseeable future.
All Daily Masses and 4:30 pm Weekend Masses are livestreamed and available to watch on our website, on Youtube, and on Facebook.
Details & Helpful Info
- Self-evaluate your health before coming to Mass
Do not come to Mass if you feel unwell or have felt unwell in the past 14 days, even if you think it is only allergies. If you develop any of these symptoms please stay home.
- Social distancing section
In the two back sections of the church, we will continue to block off every other pew. Mass attendees who would like to remain socially distanced from other households should use these sections. In the front sections, no pews will be blocked off, and attendees in this area can sit wherever they are comfortable.
1. Safety and Hygiene in Our Worship Spaces:
FOLLOW BEST HYGIENIC PRACTICES.
- Please use the provided hand sanitizer found at all entries as you enter the church.
WE WILL BE DILIGENT IN ENSURING OUR CHURCH IS SANITIZED.
- High use areas in the church will be wiped down with disinfectant before and after each liturgy--especially pews, chairs, ambos, handrails, doorknobs, and push plates.
- Restroom will be sanitized after each liturgy and at other regular intervals.
- Hymnals, missalettes, and other commonly held items (e.g. children’s toys) will be removed from the church during the pandemic.
- Altar vessels will continue to be washed after each Mass in hot soapy water.
WE WILL BE WELL-PREPARED.
- We have a plan in place to ensure all staff and volunteers are thoroughly trained for their new responsibilities.
- We have a plan in place to ensure we have enough hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies in stock.
- We have a plan and technology in place to ensure we can continue live streaming our Masses.
2. Social Distancing:
CHURCH SECTIONS
- In the two back sections of the church, we will continue to block off every other pew. Mass attendees who would like to remain socially distanced from other households should use these sections. In the front sections, no pews will be blocked off, and attendees in this area can sit wherever they are comfortable.
3. Celebrating the Liturgy:
HYGIENIC PREPARATION FOR LITURGIES:
- Priests, deacons, and all liturgical ministers will wear face masks and use hand sanitizer before, during, and after Mass.
- The bread and wine will be kept from public areas (brought to the altar from the credence table).
- We will consecrate enough hosts for all the faithful. The priest will consecrate and consume a small presider host. Other hosts on the altar will be kept distant on a corporal to minimize his breathing on them.
MEASURES TO ALLOW FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING BETWEEN PRIEST AND MINISTERS DURING LITURGIES:
- We will create distance between the Presider’s Chair and other seats in the sanctuary.
- Liturgical ministers in the sanctuary will remain more than 6 feet apart and will wear face masks when distributing Communion.
- The lector will sit in the chair furthest from the presider.
- The cantor will proclaim the psalm from cantor mic (not the ambo).
ADJUSTMENTS TO NOTE:
- The opening announcement will include helpful reminders with clear procedures and expectations.
- We will have a socially-distanced Sign of Peace. You may bow or wave to those not in your household.
HOLY COMMUNION:
- The priest or Eucharistic Minister will apply hand sanitizer before distribution and will be wearing a face mask.
DAILY MASSES:
- Daily Masses will be celebrated in the main body of the church.
- Protocols will be the same as the weekend Mass protocols listed above.
As part of our ongoing commitment to each other's safety, we ask that, if you test positive for COVID-19 within 10 days of having attended mass or otherwise been on the STM campus, you notify our COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Administrator, Carol Arend, at carend@morecommunity.org or call the parish office. Our Plan Administrator will take steps to notify other community members who may have been exposed, while guarding confidentiality to the extent possible. If you are notified that you have been exposed, please follow the current CDC Public Health Guidance for Community-Related Exposure.