Procedures for Public Worship during Periods of Pandemic Precautions
Saint Mary Catholic Church, Groveport
Adherence to these procedures is required to enter Saint Mary Church during worship and to be present for her liturgies.
Unless otherwise stated, these procedures apply for all forms of worship in the church, such as: personal prayer, Adoration, Daily Mass and Lord’s Day Masses.
Any of these procedural requirements may be changed by the Parish Priest without notice.
Precaution and Dispensation If you are feeling ill or have a fever...
If you recently have been contact with someone who is ill...
If you are in a “high risk” category due to age or underlying medical condition...
If you do not feel comfortable or secure in going to a public place ... even church...
... DO NOT COME TO CHURCH, STAY HOME!!
You are relieved of your “Mass Obligation” by the Dispensation of the Bishop. Preparation of the Church before Liturgy
Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of church before first Mass (Saturday).
Upstairs restroom is available during Masses
Prop open main front doors (weather permitting) to minimize door handling.
Between Masses: antiseptic cleansing, especially surfaces that are subject to touching.
Priest with one helper (with masks & sanitized hands) set the Sanctuary with books, vessels, bread and wine. Small table next to Altar serves as the credence table.
Before Coming to Church
Wash hands thoroughly
Bring facemask for each person over the age of 2 years.
Entering the Church
Do not gather to socialize or greet others physically.
Bulletins are not available until after Mass.
Sanitize hands with personal sanitizer or at stations in entry way and rear of the church.
Put on facemask outside the church (ages over 2). Extra masks are in the entryway.
Facemasks must be worn throughout the service ... except at the moment to receive the Host at Communion.
Take seat at a designated spot to maintain 6-foot separation. Every other pew has markings to indicate allowed seating spots. Household members who reside together may sit together.
Enclosed pew at rear of church is not available.
Marian Chapel (aka. cry room) may be used by only one household that resides together.
No hymnals or antiphon cards are in the pews.
Stay seated and do not greet others by physical contact while awaiting Mass.
Beginning of Liturgy
Priest rings bell and enters silently from the side.
No entry hymn or center aisle procession.
No servers or other ministers in the Sanctuary, only the Priest.
Priest does the Introductory Rites from the Altar (no server).
Liturgy of the Word
One Lector removes mask and goes to Ambo. Reads first and second readings. Sits on server bench in sanctuary between readings. After reading(s) lector returns to pew and puts on mask. (If no Lector is available, Priest reads the from the Altar.)
Cantor in the organ area recites or sings the Psalm.
Priest at the Altar proclaims Gospel and preaches.
Priest at the Altar leads the Creed and Prayers of the Faithful
No servers or other ministers are in the Sanctuary, only the Priest.
Preparation for Eucharist
Priest alone sets Altar.
Organist plays soft music. Cantor may chat or sing a solo as Priest is setting Altar.
No Offertory collection. Offerings should be placed in baskets upon entry or departure.
No procession to bring forward of the Gifts (Bread, Wine, Offertory)
Priest purifies hands at water bowl near Altar and applies hand sanitizer.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Usual standing and kneeling, except avoid grasping the back of the pew in front of you.
No hand holding at the Our Father.
No offering the Sign of Peace.
At the Lamb of God, one EMHC goes to the Altar, wearing mask. Applies hand sanitizer and stands away from the Priest and to his left.
(If no EMHC is available, Priest is the sole minister to distribute Communion.)
EMHC lifts mask for a moment to receive the Host.
Communion of the Faithful
Priest and EMHC stand at head of the center aisle to form two communion stations.
Ushers regulate the movement of persons going to Communion to form a single line in the center of the aisle with 6-foot spacing. As persons approach the Communion stations, they divide right or left.
As each person approaches Communion, the mask is pulled away so hands are free to receive the Host.
Receiving in the hand rather than the tongue is strongly preferred.
After receiving Communion the person restores the mask and returns to pew.
Hand sanitizer bottle is near the Communion stations in case of need.
Priest alone purifies the vessels at the Altar following Communion.
Conclusion
Priest offers Prayer after Communion & Blessing and departs. Soft organ music.
Ushers release people by rows to maintain separation and avoid clustering at doors.
Bulletins are distributed upon departure. No social gathering in the church.
People apply hand sanitizer before departure.
After Mass
Ushers consolidate offertory into a single cloth bag and store safely in Sacristy.
No after-Mass gathering in the Sacristy. Only the EMHC and one server (wearing masks and using hand sanitizer) cleanse vessels and set them on the Sacristy counter for the next Mass.
Ushers lead teams, wearing masks and gloves (available in upstairs PSR office), to sanitize surfaces in the church with antiseptic wipes, especially places commonly touched.
Remove and discard all papers and objects left behind in the pews.