As painful as the decision was to suspend all public Masses at
Holy Family, during the Covid 19 pandemic, the process was necessary for your
safety and health.
As we see numbers flatten and decrease, we are beginning to sense
the situation improving. In the interest of the common good, we do not want to
contribute to a second wave that could disrupt our liturgical life.
As health restrictions are eased and we are able to start
gathering together again, it is important for everyone to accept that things
will not immediately go back to life before the Corona virus.
We know the desire to return to our parish, participate in the
liturgy, and receive the Eucharist is incredibly strong, but we ask that
everyone approach this reopening with a patient, loving and charitable
mindset.
Holy Family will resume public Mass on Sunday, June 21st
for Father’s Day.
Five Things to Be Mindful of During the
Return Process
1. A general dispensation
from the Sunday obligation will remain until further notice. The
dispensation for the obligation to attend Mass will remain in effect. No one
will be required to attend Mass when public celebrations resume. Hence, live
stream Masses for parishioners at home will continue.
2. Attendance will be
limited. Restrictions will remain on holding large gatherings, and your
Parish Committee is working on the best way to ensure safety. The current State
guideline is 25% capacity for our place of worship. It is likely that all
parishioners may not be able to attend Mass regularly at first.
3. Social Distancing will
be practiced. Our parish will have pews that are taped off, and that
households, even of one individual, will be asked to keep six feet of
separation from each other. No one will be admitted without a mask. If you do
not have one, we will supply you with a mask, that you must wear during Mass. If you are uncomfortable wearing a mask, or
you have an illness that prevents you from wearing a mask, stay home.
Parishioners should take their temperature before coming to Mass. Anyone with
any symptoms of sickness must stay home to ensure the safety of all.
4. Liturgical changes will
be in place. Similar to protocols established when churches were
closing, extra precautions will be taken. Temporary adjustments will be made to
how we celebrate Mass and receive Communion.
5. There still will be a risk for anyone
who attends a public Mass. Even with best health practices and strict social
distancing, anyone who enters a public space should recognize there is a risk
of contracting any virus, including coronavirus. Improved cleaning will occur
at our church, but no one should expect that they will be any safer from germs
than in other public spaces.
Finally, we should recognize that this is a unique time and we
need to continue to work together to make progress. There will be challenges
and frustration. You may choose not to attend Mass for the first few week and
that’s fine. However, we believe these guidelines are a call to love our
neighbors.
If we all work together, we can incrementally expand our options
and increase our participation in the liturgy. However, if we look for ways to
get around the regulations, we will likely contribute to the sickness and death
of others, creating situations that force us to take steps back. Each of us is
called to be faithful members of the Body of Christ as we implement the
reopening of our churches. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do
in our parish communities.
“Be strong and take heart, all who hope
in the Lord. Psalm 31:25
