Dear Parishioners,
As you know, plans for reopening tend to change very quickly and often times from day to day. On Tuesday, June 8
th, we received from the diocese updated plans regarding what will be taking place this weekend. Please follow our amended plans below. I’m very sorry for any confusion that this may have caused. Like you, I’m looking forward to the day when we are safe and all of this is behind us.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Fr. Tom
Phase 5 Reopening is here! (Amended Plans as of June 9
th)
The following changes will go into effect for all Immaculate Conception Masses starting with the 4:30pm Mass on Saturday, June 12
th:
- No reservations are needed.
- All fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks. Those who wish to still wear masks are welcomed to do so in all sections of the church. Per CDC guidelines, children under 12 should continue to wear masks since they have not yet been approved for vaccinations.
- We will return to open seating within the church. All pews will be used.
- The exception to the above will be for those people who are more comfortable in a designated seating area where social distancing is still kept. The side aisle of pews nearest the music on the east side of the church will be reserved for those people who wish to wear masks, social distance, and remain in their pews for Communion. Please let the greeter know if you’d like to be seated in this section.
- If it is your preference to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, please let the greeter know. We ask that you sit on the left (east) side of the church in either of the sections where the priest typically distributes Communion. These sections include the purple section while wearing a mask or in the green section where masks are optional. Those in the green section are asked to come up last to receive Communion on the tongue so the priest has the opportunity to sanitize his hands as he distributes the Eucharist.
- Cantors may now sing without masks. Restrictions remain for congregational singing. Choirs and wind and brass instruments are not allowed.
- Two lectors will once again read at each Mass from the ambo.
The following items will not change at the present time:
- The church will continue to be sanitized on a daily basis.
- No Holy water will be in the fonts.
- Please continue to sanitize your hands both as you enter church and before you receive Communion.
- No collection baskets will be passed. Please continue to deposit your donations in the basket as you enter.
- No procession of the Offertory Gifts will take place.
- The Sign of Peace should be shared without physical contact.
- There will not be distribution of the Precious Blood.
- Dispensation from in-person Mass attendance remains in place.
- 9 am Mass on Sundays will continue to be available via livestream.
- Until further notice, no altar servers will be utilized during Mass.
We invite and encourage you to come back to Mass. Over the past months, it has been good to see those of you who have been attending. I also realize that, especially because of safety
concerns, many of you have not been here in person. Your choices certainly have been
understandable. We have missed you not being with us and ask you to please consider
reuniting with our Catholic Christian Family by coming back to Mass on a regular basis. So many people comment to me how happy they are once they have returned. I likewise comment to people on how happy I am seeing them after having not seen people for such a long period of time. Let us reunite as Catholics in the celebration and reception of the Eucharist.
Sincerely,
Fr. Tom
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