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Covid 19
Mass Procedures and Instructions
3/19/2021
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- The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation has been restored, by Bishop Spalding, beginning on Palm Sunday (3/28/21).
- This does not eliminate the prudent, Church-sanctioned reasons for personal dispensation from the obligation.
- Medical concerns – If a person has a serious medical condition or reasonable fear of serious illness in this time of pandemic, that person has a grave reason for not attending and can choose, in good conscience, not to attend Mass. For example: if a person is in the age bracket most at risk for COVID-19 death and is striving to quarantine, this is a grave enough cause to dispense that person from his or her obligation.
- Illness – As before the pandemic, it is still true: if a person has symptoms of COVID-19 or any serious illness (ex: the flu), this person is not obligated to attend Mass and in fact shows great prudence and charity by sparing others in the parish from the illness.
- Put on a facemask before entering the Church. In accordance with Metro Davidson County Covid19 guidelines, we will continue to observe the mask mandate.
- Holy Water will return to all Fonts.
- Follow social distancing guidelines when moving about the church. Remain at least 6 feet away from others.
- Seating Options, beginning Saturday, March 20:
- Spacing pews will no longer be required except in the designated ‘socially distanced’ seating area to the rear of the church. Everyone is encouraged to be prudent in their seating choices.
- For those who are at risk and/or desire full social distancing observed, socially distanced seating is available in the pews to the rear of the church & are marked with yellow ribbon and blue tape.
- The Sign of Peace will remain socially distanced.
- The Gifts will not be brought to the altar by Parishioners, at this time.
- Receiving the Blessed Sacrament, beginning Saturday, March 27:
- While moving forward to receive Communion, apply hand sanitizer on your hands; maintain 6 feet distance from others.
- Keep your mask on when receiving the Body of Christ from the minister.
- With the Body of Christ in the palm of your hand, take three steps to the side, remove your mask from your mouth, consume the Body of Christ and then place the mask back over your mouth.
- Socially Distanced Seating – Congregants will exit from the brick wall side of the pew. Congregants will process to the rear of the church to receive the Blessed Sacrament. They will return to their pew down the center aisle.
- Open Seating – Congregants will exit from the center aisle. Congregants will process forward to receive the Blessed Sacrament. They will return to their pew the usual way.
- At the conclusion of Mass: Before leaving the pew, gather all items brought into the Church to allow for the Church to be sanitized before the next Mass. Also, take the Bulletin handout with you and discard it.
- The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation has been restored, by Bishop Spalding, beginning on Palm Sunday (3/28/21).