Public Masses resume June 12

Dear Parishioners,

The restoration of Masses with a congregation will be a phased approach and will begin on June 12, with a maximum of 25 available seats at 12:15pm. Weekend liturgies will begin on June 13/14 (The Feast of Corpus Christi) with 90 available seats with Mass at 4:00pm on Saturday, 10:00am and 12:00pm on Sunday. At the 12:00pm Sunday Mass, we will still offer distribution of Communion in the lot in a specific section. This schedule will be evaluated as we progress. Limited capacity and 6 feet physical distancing and the wearing of masks in the church will be practiced.

We at St. Thomas the Apostle have taken great lengths for the safety and security of all people. Our church pews are marked for seating that will accommodate families (in the short sections of pews) and couples and individuals. There will be sign-ups for Mass attendance on our website, and also by phone for those without internet access. This will be necessary for both weekday and weekend. In the beginning, you may not be able to attend every weekend so that we may accommodate all our parishioners. We will notify you when the sign up's are available.

The dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass will remain in effect until further notice. No one will be required to attend Mass during this period of time. While the obligation to attend Mass is dispensed, the faithful are to keep the Lord's Day holy by some other means. For example, they should tune into a live streamed Mass, and can also be encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture, praying the rosary or some other devotion.

– Bishop James F. Checchio

We will still offer live streaming masses in effort to accommodate our parishioners.

• Those in vulnerable groups should stay home.
• Those who are sick must stay home.
• The faithful should bring their own hand sanitizer and mask.
• Face masks are expected by all over the age of 2, worn over the nose and face and only removed when receiving the Eucharist.
• All hymnals and missalettes have been removed from the church temporarily
• Restrooms will be temporarily closed.
• One entrance will be used (the main one on Rt.18) so that people can be counted as they enter. You may exit through both the Rt. 18 and Pastoral Center side.
• High use areas will be sanitized after each liturgy. This will include pews, chairs, the Ambo and microphones, handrails and door handles. Doors propped open to lessen contact.
  The church will be filled from the front to the back, and empty from the back. You may not be able to sit in your "usual spot" since capacity is limited.
• There will be no offertory procession, physical Sign of Peace, or Precious Blood.
• Holy Communion will be distributed after the conclusion of Mass, at the exits of the church to limit possible contact adding another procession (as directed by the diocese)
• Temporarily only Clergy will distribute Holy Communion (in the hand) and our Seminarian Ronal will serve as Sacristan for each Liturgy. The Sacristies will be reserved for Clergy and Staff for safety.
• We hope to have 3 Ushers for each liturgy to help direct. Collection baskets will only be available at the end of mass as you leave.
• As the directives are relaxed in the future we will add EM's, Readers, Servers, etc.
  

Temporary Mass Schedule

Church will be open 15 minutes before each Mass.

Weekday Mass at 12:15pm (25 people) Church

Weekend Saturday 4:00 Vigil (90 people), Sunday *10:00am (90 people) and 12:00pm (90 people) with lot distribution parking in designated areas)

(*to allow time for cleaning)