Resuming Public Masses at St. John's
The normal Mass schedule will resume this Saturday, May 23rd
Friends,
We are happy to announce that the normal schedule of public Masses will resume at St. John's this Saturday, May 23rd. During this phased reopening there will be special precautions put in place to ensure the safety of all who participate.
Please take a moment to carefully read the following guidelines as you weigh the decision of whether to attend Mass or not:
Guidelines for Mass attendance at St. John's
- The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days continues to be lifted.
- Anyone feeling sick, or having a fever or cough should stay home.
- Anyone in one of the vulnerable groups - older people and those with a pre-existing condition - should consider staying home.
- No one can enter the church without a mask.
- Those living in the same household can sit together. All others must maintain social distance and remain 6 feet apart. (Pews are marked off to facilitate distancing) Ushers will be present to assist with seating.
- The hymnals have been removed and no bulletins will be distributed. Parishioners may bring their own copies of the readings or access them on the internet. All materials brought into the church must be removed at the end of Mass.
- The collection baskets will not be passed. Instead, wicker baskets will be available at the five entrances/exits to the church for the offertory donations. Parishioners are encouraged to donate online if possible.
- Parishioners may receive communion by walking down the center aisle, one pew at a time, single file, and properly distanced using marks on the carpet.
- Parishioners may remove their mask to receive communion. Everyone is encouraged to receive on the hand for sanitary reasons, although communion on the tongue is still permitted, if desired.
Confession
For the time being intermittent "drive-thru" Confessions will continue to be held outdoors, weather-permitting on Saturdays. A Flocknote message will be sent out on a Friday if Confessions will be heard the next day. The frequency of Confession times offered will increase in the near future.
Please note: Confessions will not be heard this Saturday as preparations for reopening are underway. The next day scheduled for Confessions will be Saturday, May 30th.
Live-streamed Masses
Masses will continue to be live-streamed on Facebook for the Saturday 4:15 Mass and the Sunday 10:15 or 12:15 Mass.
Parish Communications
We will continue sending out the weekend emails (Prayer Requests, Weekend Bulletin, Fr. Madden's Sunday Reflection) to this Flocknote group as we have for the past nine weeks.
Novena to the Holy Spirit
Today is Ascension Thursday, the day we recall Jesus's ascension into heaven and his promise of the coming gift of the Holy Spirit. Starting tomorrow (Friday, May 22nd) we will join the church in the "prototype" novena - nine days of prayer seeking the Holy Spirit - as we anticipate the great feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church.
Please join in our daily Novena prayer:
The Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit
On my knees, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace. I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against you. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light and listen to Your voice and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced feet of Jesus and looking at his Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart I implore You Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, “Speak Lord for Your servant is listening.”
(May 22nd - May 30th)
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding Mass attendance or any details mentioned in this message please feel free to reply to this email.