Reflections on Diocesan Guidelines For Reopenning for Public Worship - Fr. Gagne

Dear Parishioners,

I have put the diocesan guidelines for reopening on the website. Please take some time to read and reflect.

I will be posting an entrance and exit plan along with a plan for the reception of Holy Communion in a day or so on the website and in the parish bulletin.

I ask you to use common sense and to follow all the recommendations of the diocese and myself. All this is for the purpose of keeping people safe and healthy.

As our church seats around 350 adults, the 25% limit brings us to about 90 people for each Mass.

Some people will remain home for a variety of reasons. It might be necessary to turn people away once we reach the 90-person limit. I ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate these uncharted waters. Some of these restrictions will I am sure change as we progress down the road in the next few months.

As daily Mass will be provided, you might want to consider attending a weekday Mass at 7:00 AM Monday – Friday. As we never get more than 25 people at these Masses there would be room for more to attend while keeping safe.

Let us pray that God will bless us and guide us through this time of preparation for resuming public worship. On my part, I will do all I can to provide a safe environment while maintaining the reverence and care that is due the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

The Diocesan guidelines are comprehensive and should answer our questions going forward.

Finally, for the time being I will celebrate Mass alone at the altar with only a lector, no servers at this time. I will also distribute Holy Communion by myself and will not need Eucharistic Ministers. I hope in time these ministries will once again become part of the liturgical celebrations.

May God bless us as we prepare to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost with our churches once again open for public worship.

-Father Gagne