Faith Forward

Returning to


Public Worship

As of last weekend we

have resumed our regular summer

Mass schedule.



There are, however, limitations and

guidelines that must be followed.

Churches can only fill to 25% capacity,

6 foot physical distancing must be

practiced at all times, masks must be

worn (for those over the age of 2),

frequent hand washing and sanitizing

should be practiced, and there should

be absolutely no physical contact

except for communion.


You should be reminded that for now

there is now there is no requirement

to attend Mass now that the church

has reopened. Those who are at a

greater risk of COVID19 (those 65 or

older or those who have underlying

health conditions) are cautioned not

to come to church for Mass. His

Eminence has dispensed us from an

obligation to attend Sunday Mass at

this time. As an alternative, Mass

may still be viewed online or on

television, and the act of spiritual

communion may be used instead of

receiving the Eucharist.

Guidelines

• Churches will be regularly sanitized and disinfected. Signage will be placed on entrance doors instructing anyone with fever or flu-like symptoms not to enter the church. Parishioners must wear masks.

• Attendance at each individual Mass will be limited to no more than 25 percent of a church’s occupancy permit.

• No physical contact during the Sign of Peace will be permitted.

• Parish safety committees and ushers will be trained to receive parishioners and escort them to suitable seating arrangements set up for social distancing for the protection of priests and parishioners. Ushers will wear masks and not make physical contact when greeting parishioners. Orderly arrivals and departures will be coordinated by ushers and parish security teams.

• Pews will be prepared to safeguard parishioners and will follow published protocols based on:
  • Singles
  • Couples
  • Families with one child
  • Families with more than one child

• Frequently touched surfaces in the church (pews/pew tops, door handles, microphones, etc.) will be cleaned and sanitized per CDC recommendations after every liturgy. Restrooms will be cleaned between Masses.

• Hand sanitizer dispensaries will be available at all church entrances.

• At arrival and departure times, entrance doors will be propped open to limit contact with door handles. Where possible, pedestrian movement patterns will be instituted that will minimize the potential for close contact between parishioners, including dedicated access ways for entrance and departure. Signage will be used in implementing these measures.

• Utilization of lower church/parish center facilities for additional Masses if the Church is full, and live video display of services will be continued in order to alleviate any overflow in attendance.

• Holy water and baptismal fonts will be emptied.

• Additional Mass times may be added at the pastor’s discretion.

• Worship aids will be discouraged. Online worship aids will be encouraged. If paper worship aids are used, they should be limited to one page, and attendees should be directed to take them with them after Mass. If worship aids are left in a pew, they must be collected and destroyed after each Mass.

• No paper bulletins will be distributed. Instead, parish bulletins/news will be posted to the parish website or emailed to parishioners.

• Non-essential gatherings will be suspended, including Children’s Liturgy of the Word, post-Mass social gatherings/refreshments, etc.

• Communion will be distributed only via the Host; the Precious Blood will not be offered.

• A cantor will be permitted, but large choirs will not be used.

• Collection baskets will not be passed from person-to-person. Baskets with long handles will be allowed. Ushers taking the collection will wear masks and gloves. Large baskets may be placed at church exits for people to drop envelopes or donations. Ushers must immediately sanitize their hands after the collection.

• Offertory counters will wear gloves and masks, and practice social distancing.

• There will be no greeting of people after Mass.

• Tables and chairs in gathering areas will be put into storage so as not to invite people to use them.

• Baptismal pools or those with fonts that flow into a basin will be emptied after each use.

 
More detailed information regarding these policies may be found in the accompanying document, “Returning to Public Worship: Guidelines for Sacramental Celebrations.”
 


















Our

Food Pantry

is Open




Please click here for information on

The Narrowsburg Ecumenical Food

Pantry's hours of operation.

https://sfxnarrowsburg.com/food-pantry























Online Giving 





https://sfxnarrowsburg.weshareonline.org/

Thank you to those who

are able to continue to

support our parish.












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