Temporary Guidelines for Mass at St. Mary of the Visitation, Lockhart.
(Revised 5/5/2020 4:01 PM)
(en espanol)
As we resume our normal weekday and weekend Mass schedule, here are a few guidelines and reminders to assist us in maintaining a safe environment for you to worship. Please be patient with the process as it develops to become safer and more efficient for you.
1. Those vulnerable to the contagion are reminded that to attend Mass in person is not obligatory at this time. We strongly encourage people vulnerable to the contagion to stay home and view a Mass via livestream online. The following groups should remain at home:
2. We encourage all who attend to wear a cloth face mask. When coming to receive communion the mask may be removed after receiving in the hand, prior to reverently consuming Our Lord
3. We will follow and enforce Governor Abbot’s 25% capacity limit - distancing seating to accommodate as many parishioners as possible.
4. Holy Communion - An usher will dismiss you for communion at the appropriate time. If you are seated outside, we will bring Holy Communion outside to you in your places.
5. Dismissal - At the conclusion of Mass, an usher will dismiss your family from the pew. If you are seated outside, we ask that you please pack up your chairs and return to your cars as soon as possible. Please return to your vehicle quickly so that we can clean and sanitize the church for the next Mass.
We find ourselves in these unique times. Nevertheless, the absence of the Blessed Sacrament from normal reception has renewed our appreciation. Let us patiently and reverently receive the Eucharist with gratitude and concern for all affected by this crisis. Thank you for your patience and your faithfulness during this time.
(Revised 5/5/2020 4:01 PM)
(en espanol)
As we resume our normal weekday and weekend Mass schedule, here are a few guidelines and reminders to assist us in maintaining a safe environment for you to worship. Please be patient with the process as it develops to become safer and more efficient for you.
1. Those vulnerable to the contagion are reminded that to attend Mass in person is not obligatory at this time. We strongly encourage people vulnerable to the contagion to stay home and view a Mass via livestream online. The following groups should remain at home:
- Anyone over 65 year of age
- Those with pre-existing conditions or who are immuno-compromised
- Those who have been advised by health care workers or caregivers to not attend Mass
- Those who sincerely believe that attending Mass will jeopardize their health or the health of a person with whom they reside
- Those who sincerely believe that because of the limitations imposed by the temporary protocols attending Mass is not reasonable
- Without exception, those who are ill should not attend.
2. We encourage all who attend to wear a cloth face mask. When coming to receive communion the mask may be removed after receiving in the hand, prior to reverently consuming Our Lord
3. We will follow and enforce Governor Abbot’s 25% capacity limit - distancing seating to accommodate as many parishioners as possible.
- The parish doors will open 30 minutes before a scheduled service; please form a line at this time. Please remain in your car until this time to avoid a crowd at the door. Enter the church through the main doors on the western edge of the Church.
- These will be the only doors open. An usher will guide you to a designated seating. Once seated, please stay in your area as much as possible. This will allow for us to maximize the limited number of people we can seat.
- Please use hand sanitizer, located in the Narthex, when you come in. (If you can bring your own hand sanitizer this would help greatly)
- A collection box is located in the Narthex for those wanting to make their offering in person. There will not be a basket passed around during the offertory. We encourage you to use online giving to set up a recurring financial gift online.
- Once capacity has been reached within the Church, if you are unable to get in, please join us for the celebration of Mass by remaining outside. We will have the outdoor speakers as high as possible. Please bring your lawn chairs for this purpose.
4. Holy Communion - An usher will dismiss you for communion at the appropriate time. If you are seated outside, we will bring Holy Communion outside to you in your places.
5. Dismissal - At the conclusion of Mass, an usher will dismiss your family from the pew. If you are seated outside, we ask that you please pack up your chairs and return to your cars as soon as possible. Please return to your vehicle quickly so that we can clean and sanitize the church for the next Mass.
We find ourselves in these unique times. Nevertheless, the absence of the Blessed Sacrament from normal reception has renewed our appreciation. Let us patiently and reverently receive the Eucharist with gratitude and concern for all affected by this crisis. Thank you for your patience and your faithfulness during this time.