As we gather together again to worship our Lord through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, there are some important things to remember. Firstly, there will be certain aspects of Mass that may be different from what we have been used to.  However, we assure you that all vital aspects of the Mass remain the same.
 
To begin, the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass has been extended to all the faithful:
 
“The dispensation from the Sunday obligation of attending Mass is granted to all the faithful through September 6, 2020. All the faithful, however, still have the obligation to “keep holy the Lord’s Day”, and on Sundays, are encouraged to spend time in prayer,  to participate in a live-streamed Mass, to meditate on the Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection, and to participate in Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.”
 
**Please note that the date of the General Dispensation is at the discretion of the Bishop, and is subject to change based on current conditions related to managing the spread of the pandemic, and in consultation with federal, state, and local healthcare recommendations.
 
Those in our parish over the age of 65, those who have underlying health conditions, have any symptoms of Covid-19, or those who care for the vulnerable and sick,  are encouraged to remain home.  If you are in one of these categories, and if you so desire, you are encouraged to contact the parish office to arrange for the sacrament of reconciliation, or if you would like to receive the Eucharist at home. All others are encouraged to attend Mass in person.
 
Below are the following guidelines to continue to protect and nurture the spiritual and physical health of us all:
 
The church’s occupancy will be limited to 25% of its normal capacity, and certain pews will be blocked off in order to allow for six feet of social distancing.  In order to accommodate the smaller occupancy, there will be an additional Mass offered on the weekends.  The new Mass schedule is as follows:
 
Monday-Saturday 7:30 am (Latin) 
Saturday (anticipatory Mass for Sunday) 4:00 pm (English)
Sunday 8:00 am (Latin), 10:00 am (English), 12:00 pm (Latin).
 
In order to assist in the prevention of the spread of Covid-19 from asymptomatic carriers, and in justice to our fellow brothers and sisters,  all the faithful over the age of two will be requested to wear masks while approaching or inside of  the Church.  If you are unable to wear a mask for medical reasons, if your child has a difficulty keeping the mask on, or if your mask is constantly removed by an infant child, you will still be welcome at St. Mary’s.  We ask that all efforts are made to follow this request.
 
In order to limit points of contact during the celebration of the Mass,  a collection will not be taken during the Mass, nor a procession made with the gifts.  There is a collection box behind the pews on the right side of the Church in which you may drop any monetary gift.  You are also encouraged to give online here.
 
Communion will also look a little different than usual.  Communion for all Masses, English and Latin, will be distributed at the Communion Rail.  All those desiring Communion will exit from the confessional side of the pews and proceed forward, all the while keeping two pews between them and the next closest non-family member.  When communicants have reached the front of the Church, they will line up at the Communion rail, six feet apart from non-family members (as indicated by tape on the kneelers).  You may stand or kneel at the Communion rail, and may receive on the tongue or the hand. During the English Masses, please wait to remove your mask until after responding “Amen”, and thereupon you may do so.  For all Masses, those receiving on the tongue will wait for the priest to approach.  After the approach of the pries, please lower the mask and place your tongue out, and wait until the priest has removed his hand from your mouth to place your tongue back into your mouth.  For those receiving on the hand, you will wear your mask until after the response “Amen”, and then remove it. In the actual reception of the Eucharist in your hand, please place your dominate hand under your non-dominate hand as a throne for the Lord, and then use your dominate hand to place our Lord in your mouth  All communicants will then replace their masks  and proceed back to their pews by way of  the center aisle, while maintaining the six foot distance ( about two pew lengths)  between non-family members. 
 
After each Mass, the church must be disinfected for the following Mass. We have volunteers for each Mass to attend to this need. However, in order to have enough time for proper cleaning, and also to minimize time spent in the close proximity,  please exit from the church as soon as the priest exits the sanctuary, since there will not be an entrance procession nor recession. Please feel free to remain in your car as long as you feel necessary to render thanks to God for the gifts received. 
 
Finally, please heed the advice given in the “Guidelines for the Faithful” from the Diocese of Kalamazoo, which can be found here.
 
Grace and Understanding: None of us have lived through a pandemic before, which means that unforeseen challenges may arise as we face this together. Because of this, modifications to the guidelines may need to be made. Please be patient, and know that St. Mary’s is doing everything possible to ensure everyone’s safety.
 
WELCOME BACK!