10 June 2020
Dear parishioners,
Bishop Serratelli has recently informed us that the churches and institutions of the Diocese of Paterson may “resume celebrating the Sacred Liturgy with the faithful. Public celebrations of Holy Mass and all of the Sacraments must be in accord with previously issued Health and Safety Protocols which remain in effect until further notice. The Protocols for the Reopening of Churches to Public Liturgical Celebrations issued on May 18, 2020 by the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese are to be followed for the safety and health of all.”
Below you will find these same Protocols with my own comments after some of the numbers. Please reread the pages below so you know what to expect this Sunday.
Already we have assembled a crew of ushers who will oversee our gathering this weekend. We also have lectors for the readings and clean-up crews for after each Mass.
The easiest way to proceed is to open the doors on a first-come-first-serve basis. Doors will be opened one-half hour before the scheduled Mass. At the door an usher will take your name and be sure that you have washed your hands and have a mask. Another usher will escort you to your seat. Unfortunately when we hit the maximum count of 50, we may have to turn some away.
Sunday Masses are scheduled as follows:
9:30 AM English
11:30 AM English live-streamed
5:30 PM Spanish live-streamed
All three Masses will be open to receive 50 people. The two later Masses will continue to be live-streamed. Yes, you can still pray with us from home or you can come to join us inside the church.
Weekday Masses in English at 11:30 AM will be open to the public only on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting this Tuesday, June 16. Weekday Masses in Spanish at 6:30 PM will be open to the public on Wednesdays and Fridays. These Masses in English and Spanish will be live-streamed. I’ll let you know when we decide to open the doors for all Weekday Masses.
Once again I encourage our seniors to stay home and join us online.
May the Lord bless us all and keep us safe!
Fr. Daniel Grigassy, O.F.M.
Pastor
P.S. If you know anyone who would like to receive e-mails from St. Bon’s, please e-mail or text their name and e-mail address to me.
Cell: 201.321.7605
E-mail: [email protected]
General Guidelines
1. [The Bishop writes:] We will notify you of the date when Churches are to reopen. At that time, public liturgies, including the sacraments, such as Baptism and Matrimony, funerals and Memorial Masses for those who have died during the pandemic may be celebrated. ([Fr. Dan writes:] This includes all celebrations that were postponed, for example, Baptisms, our parish Confirmations, First Penance and First Communions. All these events will be celebrated at St. Bon’s. Dates are yet to be determined; you will be informed as soon as decisions are made. To arrange Memorial Masses for loved ones who have died since March, please call me directly at 201.321.7605 to arrange a date and time.)
2. The dispensation from the obligation to participate in Sunday and Holy Day Masses remains in effect until further notice. For this reason, those who wish to attend Sunday Eucharist and are unable to do so because of the limited access to the church may choose to attend Mass on another day. (See above for schedule of Weekday Masses).
3. Those who are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus, i.e., those 60 years of age and over, and especially those with one or several underlying medical conditions, should follow Mass at home via live stream or television until all restrictions are removed. (I cannot stress this guideline enough! I encourage all over 60 and/or with medical conditions to stay home! Join us online for the live-streamed Masses or participate in other Masses on your TV. Please stay safe!)
4. A person with a cough or fever of any kind should stay home to protect the health of others. (This is simply common sense!)
5. Live-streaming of Mass should be continued for those unable to attend. (We are working to make the live-streamed Mass a regular part of our parish life. It will continue for the long haul.)
6. No group for any celebration of the Mass, sacraments, and funerals should be larger than 25% of the total seating capacity within the Church. (This number is far too high for this stage of reopening. Until further notice, the maximum capacity will be 50. Pews will be marked to designate a seat for one person. The social distancing protocol of a 6-foot separation will be observed by all and enforced by the ushers.)
7. Churches may be open for private visits outside of scheduled services, but this is left to the discretion of the pastor. The hours should be posted. There should be a plan to properly clean the church and keep it a safe environment after the hours of private visits. (I am eager to open the church for private visits. However, surfaces must be disinfected regularly after the passage of people through the space. At this time we have no way to ensure the proper sanitizing of the space. For decades our church has been one of the only churches in the Diocese that has kept its doors open during daylight hours for private visits. I want to return to that practice, but we have yet to determine “a plan to properly clean the church and keep it a safe environment after the hours of private visits.” Until that time, the doors of the church will be locked between scheduled liturgical events. I will alert you to changes as they come.)
8. Regular cleaning and disinfecting commonly-touched surfaces in the church is necessary. This should be done after every service in the church.
9. A reasonable period of "empty time" should be scheduled after the time when people leave the church so the entire church can be washed, wiped down, and sanitized. Only then can people be admitted into the next Mass. (The commentary includes both numbers 8 and 9: To wash, wipe down, and sanitize after every service is a huge task! How will this be done? Vast amounts of cleaning materials will have to be on hand. We have ordered a large supply, but at the rate and frequency of use, materials will run out quickly. Who will do this task? I am willing, I hope you are, too. The cleaning staff is willing but they cannot carry the entire weight of this task. For the first week of reopening, the staff and any other volunteers will step up to the task. For the following weeks, especially as we add other Masses onto the Sunday schedule, we will have to post a schedule for volunteers. Those in their senior years will be excluded, those of a younger age are invited, and all those of whatever age who choose to refrain from participation in this risky activity will be respected.)
10. Pastors should establish and publicize the hours when the parish church and offices will be open. (This schedule will soon be determined and published on the website and posted on the doors of the church.) It is advisable to schedule special times at the end of the day when the entire building can be empty and cleaned to the fullest extent needed.
In opening offices it should be kept in mind that provision for supplies of adequate hand sanitizer and masks for both staff and guests should be readily available. (The staff of the Parish Office must be kept safe. Protective gear will be supplied for their use. Members of the office staff have the expectation that visitors will wear their own protective gear into the vestibule of the Parish Office; it will not be provided at the door. If you do not have a mask, you will be invited to leave the space and call in on your phone.)
11. Maintenance staff should use the guidelines from the diocese or Center for Disease Control on the best and most practical ways to sanitize their building. (Our maintenance staff is aware of and will implement the CDC guidelines as is reasonably possible.)
12. All hymnals and missalettes should be removed from the church pews. (This task has already been done.)
13. Hand sanitizers are to be placed at the entrance into the church and in a place easily accessible to the priest presiding at the liturgy. (Two doors will be open for entrance into the church: the center door and the one to its right at the ramp that zigzags in front of the St. Anthony Shrine into the church. You will enter and approach a table where an usher will be sure you sanitize your hands and have a mask on. They will also take your name and contact information for tracking purposes. To save parish expenses, it would be appreciated if you bring your own mask and hand sanitizer, but if you do not, they will be provided. Wearing the mask and keeping it on throughout the Mass will be enforced by the ushers.)
14. All persons over the age of 2 should wear face masks. (This will be enforced by the ushers.)
15. Restrooms should only be used in case of necessity. They should be supplied with cleaning materials. Instructions should be posted so that anyone who uses the facility knows exactly what to do. (An usher will be stationed at the locked restroom throughout the Mass. If there is an emergency, he will unlock the door. Cleaning materials are available in the restroom; the one who uses it is responsible for sanitizing the space. Please be mindful of your intake of food and drink before you come to church so that the use of the restroom will be minimized. In other words, don’t drink a cup of coffee just before you leave your house!)
16. Only one entrance/door should be open for each building. However, all doors should allow for egress in case of emergency. (As mentioned in number 13 above, two doorways will be passable, the center doorway and, out of necessity for those who may need the ramp, the doorway that leads into the church off the ramp. After the Final Blessing and Dismissal, the ushers will open the other door for the safe departure of all, always keeping 6 feet between each other. Ushers will oversee this movement at the end of Mass.)
17. Exits and emergency exits should be tested beforehand and well known to the congregation in case of the need to exit in an emergency. (We will have to rehearse emergency exits so we become familiar with the drill.)
18. Provision should be made for the handicapped. (The ramp assists in the entrance to a person with physical challenges. Throughout the Mass an usher will attend to this person and his/her needs.)
Particular Guidelines
1. Mass attendance must be limited to 25% of seating capacity, as noted above. It is left to the discretion of the pastor to determine how this is to be, e.g., first-come, first-served basis, registering on line, lottery etc. (The best approach for us is first-come/first-serve. Registering on line would not work for us since many do not have computers. A lottery seems impractical and may not be needed.)
Pastors must clearly publicize in advance whatever way they select so that people may understand that, if they arrive after the permitted number has been reached, they may have to be turned away. This is to protect everyone's health and to follow the regulations on health and safety. (Please arrive early!)
2. Volunteers should be available to welcome parishioners to church, maintaining 6 feet of social distance, directing them toward seating and limiting the number of persons to whom the church is accessible. (No doubt, many will find this ‘herd-control’ approach unpleasant and off-putting. In order to counter that negative feeling, I ask for volunteers to function as ushers or ministers of hospitality in the weeks and months ahead. Women and men are eligible. Call or text me at my cell phone number if you are willing to take on this ministry.)
3. Holy Water fonts and the baptismal fonts are to remain empty. When Baptism is celebrated, small individual bottles of purified water should be blessed and be used for each adult or infant individually. (Call or text me if you want Holy Water for use at home.)
4. Depending on the availability of priests, parishes may schedule more frequent Masses to accommodate their people with smaller congregations. (For the past several summers we have decreased our Sunday Mass schedule. We want to add the 7:30 AM Mass in English soon but will proceed with only the 9:30 and 11:30 AM. We may need to add the 7:30 to accommodate numbers, or we may not. I anticipate that within the next month or two, we will return to our usual Mass schedule of 5:30 PM on Saturday and three Masses in English on Sunday morning, 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 AM. We must consider our numbers and then make adjustments. We may have to increase the Masses in Spanish to two, one as usual at 5:30 and the other perhaps at 3:00 or 7:00 PM. The time of an additional Spanish Mass and the cleaning-up afterwards remain to be determined.)
5. All of those attending the Liturgy must wear a face mask. A good number of disposable face masks may be available to the faithful for those who neglect to bring them. The faithful need to be informed of this safety precaution. (As mentioned above, it would be a savings for the parish if you were to bring your own, but if not, we will provide them. All must wear masks except for – obviously – the reception of communion.)
6. All people inside the church must practice social distancing by keeping 6 feet from other persons. People in the same household do not have to follow the social distancing guidelines, but must keep 6 feet from all those not in their household. (I think this last sentence will create massive confusion. My request, then, is that, at first seating, all members, adults and children, take a designated seat at the marked pews. Even members of households must separate until we get the proper count. Once we are in place and a few minutes into the Mass, small children may move toward their parents. If spouses desire to stand closer to each other, by all means! But on first arriving, let’s arrange ourselves according to the protocols in order to avoid initial confusion.)
7. Certain pews may be closed to make certain that social distancing is maintained. Temporary and safe markings should be made on the floor or carpet to maintain social distancing as well. (Colored markers will be placed on the pews. Each person will stand at the marker in front of him/her. Markings for the communion procession down the main aisle will be made on the carpet. Returning to your place after communion will be left to your own intelligence and discretion, keeping 6 feet from the person in front of you. Please be aware.)
8. Those assisting at the altar should maintain a 6-foot distance from the priest and from each other. The Roman Missal should be placed on a stand before the presider's chair or in the center of the altar. It is not to be held by a server.
9. Altar Servers should not assist at the altar until a later date when the risk of contagion is further ameliorated. (Unfortunately, we will not call on the faithful young men and women who usually serve Mass. We look forward to your return after we are able to move closer to one another in a safe way. In the meantime, the priest will place the Missal on the stand at the presider’s chair and then on the altar when it is time to move there.)
10. There is to be no choir. Singing should be discouraged in general. Singing, especially in close proximity to others, may increase the risk of viral spread. The parts of the Mass, e.g., Gloria, Gospel Acclamation, etc. must be recited. (This one kills me! … but for now it is the right thing to do. Never would I imagine myself encouraging you NOT to sing or participate actively in the assembly’s responses. For now, we will comply to this guideline, but we will surely return to communal singing. The Mass is not a performance that we observe as spectators; it is an event in which we actively participate. We will continue to participate, although not as full-throated as usual.)
11. There is to be no offertory procession. Collection baskets are to be placed in appropriate places to receive the offering of the faithful. (Collection baskets will be placed at the last pew, one on either side. On entering the church and taking your seat, please place your envelope in one of the baskets. At the usual time of the offertory procession, the ushers will secure the collection in a sealed and signed bag. Then, one of the ushers will take the bag directly to the sacristy down the side aisle into the sacristy and deposit it into the safe. If you forget to put your donation into the basket, at the end of Mass give it to one of the friars, deacons, or ushers. They will place it immediately into the safe in the sacristy.
Electronic giving should be encouraged weekly so that the practice becomes more widespread now and permanently into the future. (Many have taken up this option since mid-March. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and encourage your continued use of the website’s link that minimizes further physical interaction during the Mass itself.)
Ushers should wear gloves when placing the offerings into the plastic security bags mandated through Diocesan Collection Procedures. (Gloves will be provided to the ushers for this purpose.)
13. The Exchange of Peace is to be shared without human contact.
14. Social distancing should be maintained by the faithful when they approach to receive the Eucharist at Communion time. Please allow 6 feet between each person in the line going to receive the Eucharist. The faithful should be encouraged to bring hand sanitizer to use before the reception of Holy Communion. (The main aisle will be marked with 6-foot separation between each communicant. As you approach, step up to the designated point. The return will not be so marked. Be sure to maintain the 6-foot separation from the person in front of you.)
15. The Body of Christ should be placed in the hands of the communicant. (Although nothing is explicitly mentioned here about Communion on the tongue, it is implied in #17 below.)
16. The distribution of the Precious Blood from the chalice is discontinued for the foreseeable future. The Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ is received under either species.
17. The priest should have a hand sanitizer near him during the distribution of Holy Communion to use as he sees fit. If, per chance, a communicant's saliva comes in contact with the priest, he should immediately stop and use the sanitizer. (This implies that communion on the tongue is permitted, although I myself discourage it, especially at this time of the pandemic. More often than not, contact is made between my fingers and your tongue. However, for those who wish to receive the sacrament on the tongue, approach with your hands together. Tilt your head back, raise your chin insofar as you are able. Open wide your mouth and extend your tongue so that easy and safe access can be made. After every reception of communion on the tongue, know the one distributing communion will sanitize his hands. If you are following someone who receives on the tongue, please be patient.)
18. To avoid crowding at the end of Mass, people may be dismissed by the ushers one pew at a time to avoid crowding. (The priest will remind you after the announcements and before the Final Blessing and Dismissal to exit slowly at the direction of the ushers.)
19. For now, when a priest is approached for celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the confessional is not used. There should be a safe social distance between the priest and penitent in a public and yet appropriate space. (At the scheduled hours for Confession every Saturday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM, a priest will be available, not in the confessional in the back but in the sacristy at the front. He will sit alongside a kneeler with a screen attached. If you want to remain anonymous, remain at the kneeler for your confession. If you are comfortable going face-to-face, step around and have a seat across from and 6 feet away from the priest. Since the sacristy door will be left open, please wait at a safe distance from the doors. Also, as you are waiting in the pews, be sure to keep 6-feet of distance from others who are waiting with you.)