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Temporary Mass Schedule
Weekdays: 11:00am at Ss. Robert and William (will also be livestreamed)
Weekends at St. John of the Cross:
Saturday Vigil 6:00pm and Sunday 8:00am at Outdoor Shrine -
Important Information
Masses will start again on Tuesday, May 26. These plans are cautious and fluid to adjust to the realities of still being amid the pandemic. A few guiding principles:
• The best way to protect yourself is still to stay at home, especially those of you with health issues or in a vulnerable age group. Moreover, if you are a caregiver it is probably best to stay at home. You can still watch the LIVESTREAM 4 pm and 11 am Mass from Ss. Robert & William.
• The obligation to attend Mass on Sunday is still dispensed and will be for the foreseeable future. Therefore, while all are welcome to come to Mass, this is a choice and choice that should be made wisely.
Daily Mass, Monday – Saturday will be at 11 am starting Tuesday, May 26 At SS. Robert & William and will be LIVESTREAMED. Starting the weekend of May 30 & 31, we will have a 6 pm Saturday Vigil Mass and a 8 am Sunday Mass. Both of these weekend Masses will be at St. John of the Cross. The 8 am Sunday Mass will be at outside in the Shrine, weather permitting. Assuming all goes well…we will work towards adding a second Sunday morning Mass. Moreover, we will work towards restoring weekday and weekend Masses back to the pre-pandemic schedule. The goal will be to have a full schedule by September 1, assuming all continues to go well.SJC Mass Protocols:
Entrance: We will use the main church entrance. Doors will be propped open and left open. All other doors will remain locked and only used for exiting.
Seating: We will close off every other pew in all sections. People can sit at the ends of each pew, keeping the middle open to allow for social distancing. Cones will mark out the 6 feet in each pew. We have removed the pew cushions to allow for better sanitizing. People of the same household may sit together.
Location of Sanitizer/Masks: They will be located at the entrance. There will be two stations. Each will have masks, sanitizer, and tissue.
Masks: Masks are required for everyone aged 8 and over. Children under 8 are encouraged but not required to wear masks. Parishioners are encouraged to bring their own. However, we will have some available. Please note that the priest, deacon, and ministers will be wearing masks except when in the sanctuary. Also, if you choose for your child (under 8) not to wear a mask, please work to assure they do not go near other parishioners.
Worship Aides: Worship aides will not be used and have been removed. Our music ministry will lead the singing. There will only be a pianist, cantor, and maybe two or three other people.
Offertory/Collection: There will be no offertory procession and collection. A basket will be set-up at the entrance to receive offertory donations. The bread and wine will be placed on the altar prior to the start of Mass.
Sign of Peace: The sign of peace has been eliminated.
Holy Communion: The priest, deacon, and a staff member will take Holy Communion to people walking between pews. People will NOT process up. They will wear masks when distributing and carry hand sanitizer. People are encouraged to receive Holy Communion in the hand, but we will respect a person’s desire to receive on the tongue. Please make sure to stick your tongue all the way out.Exiting: We will designate an exit for each of the four sections. Please follow the presider’s instructions. Please do not congregate after Mass in the church. If you do outside, please respect social distancing.
Sanitizing/Cleaning: Our staff will rigorously clean and sanitize the church building after each Mass.
Outdoor Mass: The above protocol will be followed. We have spaced the benches apart for social distancing.
As you can see, Mass will not have the same feeling that we have become accustomed to. But we must remember that for the health and safety of all we will need to follow these protocols for the time being. We must be flexible and cautious at the same time. We need to remember that Mass is not about us but about us worshiping and receiving Jesus Christ in the Word and in the Eucharist.
Finally, we will offer weekly Confessions every Saturday from Noon to 1 pm, behind the screen only.