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 A Special Message from Father Francis
​

May 9, 2020
 
IN PREPARATION FOR THE MASS ON MAY 16, 2020
 
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
 
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you!”
 
I am sending you another letter specifically on protocol for returning to the Holy Mass.
 
Thanks to our Bishop’s decree on the first day of May, beginning on Saturday, May 16th we are welcoming you to return for the normal Holy Masses with the Congregation. In order to utilize this graced moment optimally, may we, in addition to the contents of the decree from our Bishop, wholeheartedly embrace the following practices:
 

1.  Personal Protective Items – Being careful and cautious that we may not spread the insidious virus, sanitizers, gloves and masks are provided at the main entrance of the Church. Please make use of them. To make those safety items accessible to one and all, we enter the Church through the main entrance (front of the Church) and go out through the side door near the chapel. Mindful of our Lord’s word, “I give you a new commandment:  love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (John 13:34), may we make the sacrifice of wearing the masks in the Church. They do feel uncomfortable and suffocating to some of us, but may we wear them while we are in the presence of our fellow parishioners.  Please be sure to properly dispose of your mask and gloves.

 

1.  Handicapped Parking – Please park where you usually park.  The security staff is available to assist you with any needs.

 

1.  Seating in the Pews – The pews have been marked with green tape to ensure the prescribed six-foot social distancing.  Please sit accordingly. Family members living in the same home may sit as close as possible to each other.

 

1.  Rite of Peace – During the Rite of Peace, you must refrain from physical contact (i.e. handshakes, hugs).  Instead, offer nods, waves and big smiles.  

 

1.  Reception of the Holy Communion – Reception of the Holy Communion will occur at the end of Mass after the Final Blessing.  While the priest will not wear a mask during the Mass, he will do so during the distribution of Holy Communion.  After the final blessing, the priest, deacon and Extra-ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, if needed, will sanitize their hands and put on masks. Please do not receive Holy Communion with gloves. In the same vein, remember to remove your mask before you receive our Lord in the Holy Communion.  Follow the green tape markings on the floor so that you can give the person in front and behind you the required social distancing.  After receiving the Holy Eucharist, you may return to your pew for a brief Prayer of Thanksgiving, after which you should exit the church without any socializing.

 

1.  Sanitization after Mass – After each Mass, the church will be thoroughly sanitized using prescribed procedures and chemicals.

 
May I conclude this letter with the Words of Prayer from the Good Book, 
I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From whence shall come my help? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip. By day the sun will not strike you, nor the moon by night. The LORD will guard you from all evil; he will guard your soul. The LORD will guard your coming and going both now and forever (Psalm 121: 1-3,6-8). 
 
Take care and may the Lord bless you and keep you safe always. Please include in your prayers Deacon Curtis Talley and David Wright and all our dear ones who are sick.
 
 
Yours in Christ,
 
Father Francis Chiawa