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May 28, 2020I hope this all finds you well.
We continue to pray for those in our community who are ill, have died or are struggling. Know that you are not alone! Please contact the rectory if you need anything.
The seminarians will be giving a reflection each week on the YouTube Channel.
Please be sure to check out this week's reflection by Thong Nguyed
Saint John Paul II Witness to Hope!
Opening of Mass
I know we are all anxiously awaiting the opening of Mass. Here are a few bits of information for your assistance. More information will be forthcoming. Stay tuned!
We have NO date for when Mass can begin.
We are waiting on Montgomery County to ease the stay at home order.
We don’t know just yet when we will be open for Mass, but you will be the first to know. The DC area continues to be one of the hardest hit Covid areas, but there are some hopeful trends.
The Sunday Dispensation will still be in place
The Dispensation from the Sunday and holy day obligation will remain.
If you are in a vulnerable category (i.e., older adult, 65 years and older; person who is immunocompromised), you may desire to remain home during the initial reopening.
Anyone who is ill, or suspects he or she is ill, should refrain from participation in public activities, including Mass.
We will continue to livestream.
We will continue livestreaming masses for those that need to stay home.
Your health is a priority.
Once we start Mass, we will take every precaution to make sure we all stay safe and healthy. We will be disinfecting the Church after every mass and other sanitary guidelines will be in place (see below).
Attendance at Mass will be limited.
With social distancing guidelines we will have limited capacity for Mass
Only a certain number of pews or chairs will be available for use.
We will start slowly.
The first week or two we will have fewer and smaller masses as we get used to new procedures.
The Mass times may be different and shorter
We need to allow time in between masses to clean the Church.
You will have to sign up for Mass initially in phase one.
We will have a way for you to sign up for the mass you would like to attend.
We will enter through one entrance.
We will give you directions for how to get into the Church and out of the Church.
Wearing a face mask will be required:
You will be asked to wear a face covering, as recommended by the CDC.
Please wash your hands thoroughly before coming to mass.
We will have hand sanitizer available as well.
Social distancing will still be in place.
The six feet separation is required.
Hymnals will be removed.
Singing is discouraged due to possible spread of contagion.
Receiving Communion
We will have procedures for the communion line that maintains social distancing and provides other cautionary measures.
Communion in the hand please:
While not absolutely required it is super, duper recommended (keep everyone and your priests healthy).
Liturgical changes will remain in effect.
For instance, Distribution of Holy Communion under one species, no exchanging of the sign of peace, no holy water fonts, etc.
Offertory
You will be able to give to the collection at the end of mass by dropping your offertory in a basket
Finally
Even though our parish will take all reasonable precautions, and sanitize as best we can after each liturgical celebration, including the restrooms, there will still exist the risk of infection for anyone who attends a public Mass as we move through the various phases of easing restrictions. No one should expect that they will be safer in church than in any other public space.
For more information from ADW about the opening of our Churches for mass, you can go to https://adw.org/coronavirus/
