Parish COVID-19 Precautions

We are still operating at 25% capacity. St. Thomas  has a capacity of 240 and St. Johns of 140.
Overflow seating for the 10:00am Mass at St. John is available downstairs in McDevitt Hall. 
Communion ministers will bring down Holy Communion.

The bishop has dispensed us from our Sunday Mass obligation until May 16, 2021 at least. So if you are at risk due to age, compromised immune system, or are experiencing symptoms of sickness, by all means, please stay home.  The bishop’s dispensation from Sunday attendance, also allows you come attend any day of the week if you are up to it to receive the Eucharist. We will clean the churches between Masses and take all reasonable precautions, but there is always a risk of infection when we gather with others.  Please help us mitigate the risk by following the guidelines found here.
 

Are you worried about coming to Mass? 
Fr. Gordon answers the question, "Is it safe to come to Mass?"

In a word, “Yes!”  St. Thomas and St. Johns have been open for daily Mass and confessions since June without incident.  The pews are sanitized after each Mass, social distancing markings have been placed on the floor to help keep the spacing in the Communion lines, and every other pew has been closed to keep a safe distance between the rows.  Those in attendance are asked to assist us by observing the following rules: (1.) please do not attend if you are experiencing cold / flu symptoms or an elevated temperature, (2.) please wear a mask over your nose and mouth during the entire liturgy with the exception of receiving Holy Communion, and (3.) please use the hand sanitizing stations available or bring your own hand sanitizer.  Other procedural changes are announced prior to each Mass: congregational singing has been suspended for the time being along with exchanging a Sign of Peace and holding hands at the Our Father.  Collection baskets have been removed and offertory gifts are placed individually into a box in the gathering space.  Please see the complete list of precautions on our parish website.

For answers to some common concerns, click here.  Concerns addressed are:

• Some people take off their mask before receiving Holy Communion.
• Some people still receive Holy Communion on the tongue.
• The clergy / extraordinary ministers don’t sanitize their hands after giving Holy Communion on the tongue.
• It doesn’t appear that everyone is social-distancing properly in the Communion line.