Mass Information

August 27, 2021

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Today, we received updated Covid-19 guidance from the Diocese of Joliet for Mass and other parish activities. You may read them here.

Updated guidelines as it relates to Mass are as follows:

• Mask wearing for all (regardless of vaccination status) while indoors is required effective Mon., Aug. 30

August 19, 2021

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In response to the rise in Covid cases and information from the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”), today, we received updated guidelines from the Diocese of Joliet regarding Covid protocols for Mass and other parish activities. You may read them here.

Some highlights of these new guidelines as it relates to Mass are as follows:

• Mask wearing for all (regardless of vaccination status) while indoors is recommended but not required.

• Those desiring Communion on the tongue should come forward at the end of the Communion line; Eucharistic Ministers will sanitize hands between those receiving in this way.

• Social distancing seating will continue to be provided, allowing for up to 6’ of spacing.

• No physical sign of peace will be done.

• Registration for Masses is not necessary.

• Limit congregational singing. For the Mass parts, please listen prayerfully or sing quietly. You will notice these new Mass settings or Latin chants. This is a new way to experience the beauty and simplicity of chant.

The updated guidelines from the Diocese are not significantly different from what we have been doing during Mass and are in place to keep everyone healthy and avoid an outbreak of Covid. Importantly, if anyone does not feel well, they should not attend Mass; dispensation from the requirements to attend Mass is still in place. We just ask for you to exercise prudence as we continue to navigate through this time.

Finally, a reminder that anyone who may not be comfortable with in-person Mass attendance may come to our Drive-In (FM dial 105.7) Masses at 10am in English and 12pm in Spanish, in the church’s parking lot where you can listen to Mass being celebrated in the church and also receive Communion from Eucharistic Ministers. Advance registration is not required.

June 11, 2021

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Here are the updated Covid-19 guidelines set in place:

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• Mask wearing: Our Bishop is asking that we all now follow the current CDC guidelines in regard to mask wearing. Please check the link for your discernment http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/covid19

• To provide for varying comfort levels, the two side areas of our church seating will be set aside, for parishioners uneasy with sitting with unmasked individuals. In those areas still marked with the blue crosses, we ask that you adhere to mask wearing and social distancing as before.

• We now have full capacity within our church building, and no longer require registration.

• The dispensation to attend Sunday Mass remains in place for the time being, with the intention of our Bishop providing our parishes and our parishioners the opportunity to navigate and adjust to these new guidelines and protocols.

• We will still offer hand sanitizer stations in our entranceway, though it will not be required as before. Hand sanitizer will also be available for the reception of Holy Communion, though also not required.

• Our Missalettes will return to the pews. Our kids “fun pages” will finally be returning for the little ones to receive after Mass or before the final blessing!! Our Formation Station will return to its former place.

• Our chairs will eventually return to their pre-pandemic position, as will the “cry-room” in due time.

• We are now allowed to have Altar Servers participating at Mass and will be soon returning to families bringing up the gifts again.

• We will still be sanitizing our pews once a day.

• We now have the possibility of food offerings after Mass as before the Pandemic..

• Adoration: These new guidelines for mask wearing, capacity, sanitation, etc., also apply to our adoration chapel.

I want to take this time to thank all of our helpers who have stood in the gap to serve our parish community during this time of pandemic. I will be offering a Mass for each of your intentions! We are so grateful for the gift you are!!

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Finally, as we begin to implement these new guidelines, let us remember to be respectful of one another, always giving the other the benefit of the doubt, and being especially mindful of the most vulnerable among us. “I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit which is the bond of peace” Eph 4:1-3.

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Together in Christ,

Fr. Andy