Parish COVID-19 Precautions

Video Update on Pentecost Sunday, 5/31 - so far, so good!

Parish Newsletter, May 27

At this time—as our plans can change from day-to-day based on whether we are winning or losing the battle against the coronavirus—I ask you to stay tuned for updates and to reach out to those who might not be registered or receiving this news. 
 
The bishop has given us permission to resume public Masses on the weekend of Pentecost, May 30-31, at 25% capacity. This will happen even though the governor has extended the shelter-in-place order to June 12. After roping off every other row and removing chairs, hymnals and other hard-to-sanitize objects, St. Thomas now has a capacity of 240 and St. Johns of 140.

Not knowing what our attendance numbers are going to be at first, I am hoping that we won’t overflow our new lower capacity limits. For this reason, I am not going to have people sign-up to attend Mass, as this doesn’t work well for those who aren’t on-line. Just come as you are able, and, if we get too crowded, we will ask some people to come back at another time.  Please don’t be angry if this happens but consider coming to another liturgy.
 
The bishop has dispensed us from our Sunday Mass obligation until Labor Day 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.
 
Our first public Masses will be as follows on Pentecost weekend (May 30/31): 
St. Thomas – Saturday Vigil at 4:30pm and Sunday Masses at 9am and 11am.

St. John – Sunday Masses at 8am, 10am, Noon and 7pm.

My first priority is to recover our usual weekend Mass schedule (minus the 5pm Sunday Mass as MSU is out of session).  My second priority is to continue our Outreach and livestream Masses for all those who don’t feel safe attending just yet. The need to start slowly due to the virus and to continue broadcasting daily Mass leads to a short-term change of schedule for the summer. For June and July, we will continue to livestream Mass at 9am each weekday (Monday – Saturday) and rotate our Sunday livestream between the 8am St. John and 9am St. Thomas Masses. As much as I want to restore the other daily Masses, we need to start slowly, make adjustments, and leave time to catch up on funerals, weddings, sacraments of initiation, and other postponed activities. We will also use the afternoons for Adoration and confessions and even offer a Wednesday evening Mass for June and July to provide an after-work option. Again, this is a short-term  schedule until we get a better handle on things. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

As we conclude our 50-day celebration of Easter, we are reminded of our identity as disciples of Jesus, the Risen Lord! Pentecost is the celebration of the birth of the Church; this year we can celebrate it as our rebirth to mission. Thank you for your patience and faithfulness, generosity and prayerfulness! Without your support, we wouldn’t be able to re-open our doors. Let’s rise again with Christ and come together this summer to pray for the world around us.
 
Thank you, stay tuned for more, and God bless you!   Fr. Gordon