WELCOME AND REMINDERS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF MASS St. Mary Revised July 4, 2020
Good afternoon/morning!
Welcome to St. Mary parish! We are so happy to have you with us!
During this time, we continue to be committed to doing all that we can to keep everyone safe and healthy while at mass, but we need your help and cooperation in order to do this. Please follow any directions that are given regarding seating and movement, since social distancing requirements are still in place. With these requirements, we will try to accommodate everyone who joins us for mass.
At this time, the archdiocesan guidelines require everyone to wear a face covering while inside the church, except at Communion time.
Even though the hymnals have been removed, you are invited to softly join in the music. Otherwise, listen to the music with your heart, so that it may become a part of your prayer and worship.
Since there is no offertory procession, the collection will not be taken up at the usual time. Instead, we ask you to place your offerings in the baskets on your way out of church. Thank you for your continued monetary support of the parish during this time.
Please respect spacing protocol when forming lines for Communion. As we are trying to avoid physical contact, all are encouraged to receive Communion in the hand.
*Demonstrate Communion protocol*: -after hearing “The Body of Christ”, bow and say “Amen” with your mask still on
-uncover your mouth to receive Communion while still in place
-replace your mask immediately after receiving Communion
-return your seat with social distancing
After mass, please refrain from congregating inside the church, and save visiting for outside the church with social distancing.
At this time, only a limited number of church bulletins are printed, and copies are available in the drop box at the parish office door. We will make bulletins available in church as soon as we get the go ahead from archdiocesan guidelines.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE RETURNING TO SUNDAY MASS ST. MARY, MONROE Revised June 6, 2020
Welcome back! We are so happy to be able to come together for mass again, and we pledge to do our best to have and maintain a clean and safe church for everyone based on guidelines from the CDC and the archdiocese. This note is provided to help you comfortably return to mass at St. Mary, and highlights aspects of our gathering that will look and feel different. If you have further questions, you may contact the parish office or ask a greeter or usher at church.
BEFORE COMING TO MASS Remember that the Sunday mass obligation has been suspended until after Labor Day. Therefore, everyone is called to reflect on and determine when they are ready to return to public mass. If you are not comfortable coming back yet, are a senior citizen, are sick, or have underlying health conditions, you should stay home for now. Live streamed masses will continue to be taped every Sunday, alternating between St. Mary and St. John. Please check the parish website, online bulletin, or Facebook for the schedule.
All are expected to provide their own face masks. We also recommended bringing your own small containers of hand sanitizer (or sanitizing wet wipes) that can be kept in a pocket or purse.
Please help us by minimizing the use of the church rest room. This can be aided by consciously using the facilities just before you leave home.
Since there is a limit to how many can be accommodated at each mass, it’s recommended to try to come earlier than you usually do. We must follow thedistancing requirements and a limit to approximately 25% of the church’s normal capacity. Seating will be on a first come, first serve basis. Last weekend, the first weekend back, we were able to accommodate everyone who came to all of the masses, but this may change as more people return to mass.
ENTERING CHURCH Please have your masks on before entering church. Except for those in the altar area, all are expected to keep masks on while in church except when receiving Communion.
All must enter through the main Elm Street doors. Be aware of social distancing as you enter church and meet others. The doors will be propped open to minimize physical contact. If necessary, you may drop someone off at the foot of the ramp, then park your vehicle. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entryways.
The holy water fonts are now empty. However, feel free to make the sign of the cross as you enter church.
Ushers and greeters will be present to help direct you to your seat. Those who live together can sit together as usual. Please be flexible if you are asked to sit in a location that you are not accustomed to. We will accommodate seating requests as best we can.
Once in church, try to avoid touching surfaces as much as possible, such as the ends and backs of the pews. If you cannot genuflect without support, you may bow to the tabernacle instead.
DURING MASS The hymnals have been removed from the church, and there will be no congregational singing at this time. A cantor will provide singing, some less familiar hymns may be used, and there may be some instrumental music. For more information on music and singing at mass, please see the article that is in the online church bulletin or website.
The offertory procession is omitted. Instead of taking the collection at the usual time, please place your offerings in the designated baskets on your way out of church.
The sign of peace is omitted after the Lord’s Prayer.
You may wish to apply hand sanitizer before going up to Communion. Please follow the directions of the ushers and greeters in forming Communion lines. Maintain distancing throughout your movement to and from Communion. Notice the markings on the floor to help guide distancing. In order to help us avoid physical contact, all are encouraged to receive Communion in the hand. Come up the Communion line with hands in prayer position. After hearing “The Body of Christ, bow and say “Amen” with your mask on. Then pull your mask up or down to receive Communion while staying in your place, and immediately replace it after receiving. Return to your seat respecting proper distancing. No gloves are to be worn when receiving Communion.
The precious Blood will not be offered at this time.
Notice that there will be hand sanitizing stations near each person distributing Communion. If any feel the need to do so, they may briefly stop, place the ciborium on the pedestal, and sanitize their hand before resuming the distribution of Communion. For anyone who requests a blessing instead of receiving Communion, leave your mask on, and cross your arms over your chest. The priest or EME will offer a simple blessing without making physical contact.
LEAVING CHURCH Please wait until ushers and greeters approach to guide your departure from your seat. There will be no physical copies of the church bulletin distributed.Bulletins are posted on the parish website. The church doors will be open for your convenience.
Place your offertory gift in one of the baskets on your way out of church. Thank you for your continued support of the parish.
Please do not congregate in church. Wait until you are outside of the church if you wish to visit with others with proper social distancing. The priest and deacon may greet people after mass wearing masks.
In Christian charity, let us come together to continue to be witnesses to our faith in the world, even in these challenging and uncertain times. See you soon, and be safe!
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE RETURNING TO SUNDAY MASS ST. MARY, MONROE May 30, 2020
Welcome back! We are so happy to be resuming public liturgies in our churches, and we are doing our best to have and maintain a safe environment for everyone based on guidelines from the CDC and the archdiocese. This note is provided to help you to comfortably return to mass here at home, and highlights aspects of our gathering that will look and feel different. If you have further questions, you may contact the parish office or ask a greeter or usher at church.
BEFORE COMING TO MASS Remember that the Sunday mass obligation has been suspended until after Labor Day. Therefore, everyone is called to reflect on and determine when they are ready to return to public mass. If you are not comfortable coming back yet, are a senior citizen, are sick, or have underlying health conditions, you should stay home for now. At this time, live streamed masses will continue to be taped every Sunday, alternating between St. Mary and St. John. The first live streamed mass will be at the 11:30 mass at St. John the Baptist on May 31. Please check the parish website or Facebook for the schedule.
All are expected to provide their own face masks. It is also recommended to provide your own small containers of hand sanitizer (or sanitizing wet wipes) that can be kept in a pocket or purse.
Please help us by minimizing the use of the church rest room. This can be aided by consciously using the facilities just before you leave home.
Since there is a limit to how many can be accommodated at each mass, it is recommended to try to come earlier than you usually do. Unfortunately, some may have to be turned away if the capacity of the church has been reached because of distancing requirements and a limit to approximately 25% of the church’s normal capacity. Seating will be on a first come, first serve basis.
ENTERING CHURCH Please have your masks on before entering church. Except for those in the altar area, all are expected to keep masks on while in church except when receiving Communion.
All must enter through the main Elm Street doors. Be aware of social distancing as you enter church and meet others. The doors will be propped open to minimize physical contact. If necessary, you may drop someone off at the foot of the ramp, then park your vehicle. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entryways.
The holy water fonts are now empty. Even without the water, feel free to make the sign of the cross as you enter church.
Ushers and greeters will be present to help direct you to your seat. Those who live together can sit together as they usually do. Please be flexible if you are asked to sit in a location that you are not accustomed to. We will accommodate special seating needs as best we can.
Once in church, try to avoid touching surfaces as much as possible, such as the ends and backs of the pews. If you cannot genuflect without support, you may bow to the tabernacle instead.
DURING MASS The hymnals have been removed from the church, and there will be no congregational singing at this time. A cantor will provide singing, some less familiar hymns may be used, and there may be some instrumental music. For more information on music and singing at mass, please see the article that is in the online church bulletin.
The offertory procession will be omitted. Instead of taking the collection at the offertory, greeters and ushers will have baskets to receive your offerings on your way out of church.
The sign of peace is omitted after the Lord’s Prayer.
You may wish to apply hand sanitizer when preparing to receive Communion. Please follow the directions of the ushers and greeters in forming Communion lines. Maintain distancing throughout your movement to and from Communion. Notice the markings on the floor to help guide distancing. Please try to help those distributing Communion to avoid physical contact. All are encouraged to receive Communion on the hand, rather than the tongue. Just before approaching the priest/deacon/EME, pull down your mask, and immediately replace it after receiving the Sacrament. No gloves are to be worn when receiving Communion.
The precious Blood will not be offered at this time.
Notice that there will be hand sanitizing stations near each person distributing Communion. If any feel the need to do so, they may briefly stop, place the ciborium on the pedestal, and sanitize their hand before resuming the distribution of Communion. For anyone who requests a blessing instead of receiving Communion, leave your mask on, and cross your arms over your chest. The priest or EME will offer a simple blessing without making physical contact.
LEAVING CHURCH
Please wait until ushers and greeters’ approach to guide your departure from your seat. There will be no physical copies of the church bulletin distributed. Bulletins are posted on the parish website. The church doors will be open for your convenience.
As indicated, ushers/greeters will have baskets at the church doors to receive your offerings. Thank you for your continued support of the parish.
Please do not congregate in church. Wait until you are outside of the building if you wish to visit with others with proper social distancing. The priest and deacon may greet people after mass wearing masks.
In Christian charity, let us come together to continue to be witnesses to our faith in the world, even in these challenging and uncertain times. See you soon and be safe!