Dear Friends:
Now that we have been in church with public Masses on weekdays for over two months and just over a month for weekend Masses, I want to compliment those who have come to church. Your cooperation with the different requirements and procedures has been exceptional, and while it may seem like an imposition or even annoying at times, we all must cooperate for the common good, our own health and safety and that of others.
By way of reminder, I would like to reiterate the following points:
Everyone who comes to church must wear a mask or facial covering while in the church, removing it only briefly to receive Holy Communion. The mask should cover both one’s mouth as well as one’s nose at all times, otherwise it is not being worn correctly or safely. If you cannot wear a mask for whatever reason, you are asked to refrain from coming to Mass at this time.
We again strongly encourage the reception of Holy Communion in the hand for the near future. Personal piety and devotion ought to give way to consideration of the common good. If one insists on receiving Holy Communion on the tongue, he or she is asked to come last in line so as not to impede the orderly and efficient distribution of Holy Communion and allow the priest or deacon, if necessary, to perform proper hand sanitizing.
The churches are cleaned and sanitized regularly. Please be assured of that.
In these summer months, we are using the air conditioning systems. Mindful of the concerns that some may have, warranted or not, we leave several windows slightly open so as to facilitate the proper circulation of fresh air and cooled air in the churches.
Please bring your own hand sanitizer with you if at all possible. Hand sanitizer is available at all the doors of the both churches for those who may need it.
Please be aware that confessions are beingheard on a regular basis at the scheduled times (Mondays from 6:00 7:00 PM at St. Mary’s and Saturdays from 3:30 - 4:30 PM at St. Agnes’). Penitents are asked to complete assigned penances in their cars on leaving the church or at home.
It is my sincere hope and prayer that a vaccine will be found and that this virus will be checked so that the lives of all of us may return, as much as possible, to normal as soon as possible.
God bless all of you!