A MOMENT OF RELATIVE HAPPINESS AS WE GATHER AGAIN TO WORSHIP
With the initial easing of civil social restrictions in our State as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, our bishop, Bishop Robert J. McManus, has also lifted the suspension of public Masses in the diocese. However, in compliance with the State’s guidelines, the lifting of the suspension of public Masses comes with some restrictions to mitigate the possible spread of the virus as we start to gather again to liturgically praise God’s name in the heart of his Church. So, when we come to church, all of us shall need to maintain the following:
1. At the start, until further notice, in a bid to stay within the requirement of 40% of our church buildings so as to maintain sufficient social distancing, every other pew shall be cordoned off.
2. In order to keep sufficient social distancing, we shall begin with having two people on each open pew – seated at the ends of the pew.
3. However, for the family members who are already staying together in one house, it is okay for them to sit together on one pew as many as can fit comfortably on there.
4. Everyone at Mass, except those in the sanctuary, will have to keep a mask or face-cloth on all the time except when receiving Holy Communion.
5. During Holy Communion, each one should keep a six-feet social distance.
6. Also, during the receiving of Holy Communion, we shall station two helpers by the center aisle help with putting a drop of hand sanitizer in the palms of every one who gets close to a Communion station.
7. Also, during the receiving of Holy Communion, let each one of us endeavor to receive the Holy Communion by the hand.
8. Our worship aid books will temporarily be taken away from the pews. But the readings can be accessed online by either phone or computer by visiting the USCCB website.
9. In the meantime, for offertory time, an offertory basket will be placed somewhere in the center aisle and the offertories will be dropped in there as we come up for Holy Communion.
10. Until it is safe to do so, there will be NO physical contact during the time of exchanging the sign of peace. We shall just WAVE to one another – except for family members who are already seated together.
11. For those who tend to do so, if you pick a bulletin coming into the church, please do not put it back on the tables as you exit the church. This will help mitigate the possible spread of the virus.
12. For the life of the faithful who are 65 and older, and of those who are at high risk if they contract the virus due to other health conditions, Bishop MacManus is keeping in place the suspension of the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays until December 31, 2020.
13. The Holy Water at our church entrances will continue to be unavailable until further notice. But there will be Holy Water in the receptacle by the tabernacle side at Holy Cross and by the main entrance at St. Martin from which individuals can fill up their personal Holy Water bottles and take home.
14. If you feel the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home. That is prudent and an act of love in itself.
15. And for all who are unable to come to church as we resume the liturgies, please continue mailing in or dropping off your offertories in our mailbox by the road at Holy Cross and, at St. Martin, by the side door of the rectory.
* We heartily thank God for this opportunity to gather again in our churches and praise him in the liturgies, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist as a family again. May God continue to take away the COVID-19 virus in all the ways he deems fit so that it may not stop us again to come to church. Amen.
~ Fr. Patrick Ssekyole.
With the initial easing of civil social restrictions in our State as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, our bishop, Bishop Robert J. McManus, has also lifted the suspension of public Masses in the diocese. However, in compliance with the State’s guidelines, the lifting of the suspension of public Masses comes with some restrictions to mitigate the possible spread of the virus as we start to gather again to liturgically praise God’s name in the heart of his Church. So, when we come to church, all of us shall need to maintain the following:
1. At the start, until further notice, in a bid to stay within the requirement of 40% of our church buildings so as to maintain sufficient social distancing, every other pew shall be cordoned off.
2. In order to keep sufficient social distancing, we shall begin with having two people on each open pew – seated at the ends of the pew.
3. However, for the family members who are already staying together in one house, it is okay for them to sit together on one pew as many as can fit comfortably on there.
4. Everyone at Mass, except those in the sanctuary, will have to keep a mask or face-cloth on all the time except when receiving Holy Communion.
5. During Holy Communion, each one should keep a six-feet social distance.
6. Also, during the receiving of Holy Communion, we shall station two helpers by the center aisle help with putting a drop of hand sanitizer in the palms of every one who gets close to a Communion station.
7. Also, during the receiving of Holy Communion, let each one of us endeavor to receive the Holy Communion by the hand.
8. Our worship aid books will temporarily be taken away from the pews. But the readings can be accessed online by either phone or computer by visiting the USCCB website.
9. In the meantime, for offertory time, an offertory basket will be placed somewhere in the center aisle and the offertories will be dropped in there as we come up for Holy Communion.
10. Until it is safe to do so, there will be NO physical contact during the time of exchanging the sign of peace. We shall just WAVE to one another – except for family members who are already seated together.
11. For those who tend to do so, if you pick a bulletin coming into the church, please do not put it back on the tables as you exit the church. This will help mitigate the possible spread of the virus.
12. For the life of the faithful who are 65 and older, and of those who are at high risk if they contract the virus due to other health conditions, Bishop MacManus is keeping in place the suspension of the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays until December 31, 2020.
13. The Holy Water at our church entrances will continue to be unavailable until further notice. But there will be Holy Water in the receptacle by the tabernacle side at Holy Cross and by the main entrance at St. Martin from which individuals can fill up their personal Holy Water bottles and take home.
14. If you feel the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home. That is prudent and an act of love in itself.
15. And for all who are unable to come to church as we resume the liturgies, please continue mailing in or dropping off your offertories in our mailbox by the road at Holy Cross and, at St. Martin, by the side door of the rectory.
* We heartily thank God for this opportunity to gather again in our churches and praise him in the liturgies, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist as a family again. May God continue to take away the COVID-19 virus in all the ways he deems fit so that it may not stop us again to come to church. Amen.
~ Fr. Patrick Ssekyole.