New Hope of Return to Mass

New Beginnings Require New Ways of Doing Things

Last week Fr. Lambert and I wrote to you announcing the rebirth of public Masses on Pentecost this weekend, May 30-31, with limited Masses in our collaborative. We look forward to gradually welcoming you back as you are ready in the coming weeks! We are only allowed to admit a smaller number of people, so we will of course continue our online Masses for those who are not yet able to attend in person. The dispensation (release) from the Sunday Mass obligation will continue for the foreseeable future, and Cardinal Seán strongly encourages people in vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and those with complicating physical conditions, to continue to watch Mass from their homes, either online or on CatholicTV.

This week we want to update you on:

(a)   Mass schedules online and public Masses;

(b)   Instructions for how to sign-up for limited seating in church; and

(c)   What those who come to church can expect when they get to church.

Please remember: we are implementing all of these procedures because we love you and want to keep our churches at least as safe as any other public space. As part of your Christian love for one another, please abide by these protocols for the sake of keeping others around you safe and healthy as well. These practices are recommended by members of both parishes on the two committees advising me on this process: the Return to Public Mass (interdisciplinary) committee, and the Sunday Experience (liturgy) Team, and we are blessed by their hard work!

A. Mass Schedule for Plainville-Wrentham Collaborative This Weekend

Moving people safely through the Mass during a pandemic differs somewhat in each church due to architecture, etc. After careful consideration and much discussion, it was the consistent advice of our parishioner advisory committees that we focus on the safe celebration of Masses in only one of our churches the first weekend, then learning from that experience, offer public Mass at the other church the following weekend. We decided to start in the larger church first so we could fit as many people from both parishes as possible.

Therefore, St. Martha church will host our online-only Mass this weekend, and members of both parishes are invited to the two public Masses this weekend at St. Mary.

Saturday, May 30, Pentecost Vigil Masses

·       4:00pm Public Mass at St. Mary (prior sign-up required)

·       5:30pm Online Mass from St. Martha (no public attendance)

Sunday, May 31, Pentecost Sunday Masses

·       12:00pm Mass Online and Public at St. Mary (prior sign-up required to attend in person)

(Next weekend we will add a public Mass at St. Martha.)

B. Instructions for How to Sign-up for Limited Seating and Prepare for Special Protocols

1)    You must sign-up ahead of time on PWC Sign-Up Genius website to give your name, contact info, and number of people coming from the same household. Each household needs to complete a separate registration so we can maintain social distancing between households. Those without access to the internet can call the parish office and leave a message with your name, phone, and number from your household attending. PLEASE sign-up for Mass ASAP so we have a place for you – we do not want to have to turn people away at the door because they forgot to sign-up!

2)    Face coverings or masks are essential to protect one another, especially since this virus does not always have symptoms. Please wear this from the time you exit your vehicle until you get back into it after Mass (Communion explained below). If you cannot wear a face covering, we ask you to wait to return to church until a later phase when we will have less strict protocols.

3)    Please bring hand sanitizer with you if you can, having it ready as you enter the church. Otherwise church volunteers will spray your hands with sanitizer (lemon) as you enter the church.

4)    Please arrive about 10 minutes before Mass, bringing your patience and flexibility, especially these first few weeks. We have several volunteers to guide you and help things to go smoothly, but this is new for all of us!

We need more parishioners as volunteers (guiding people and sanitizing at the end of Mass) – if you are not in a vulnerable population, please volunteer by emailing (or calling) your parish office with your contact info.

C. What Those Coming to Mass in Person Can Expect This Weekend

The best way to be prepared for what church will be like this weekend is to watch the helpful Video of What to Expect Heading Back to Mass and/or reading the following for more details.

(a)   The church will be locked until our volunteers are in place to receive you (about 15 minutes before Mass starts).

(b)   To manage attendance and sanitizing, you will be able to enter only through one or two doors (at least the ramp entrance at both churches; St. Mary front entrance also may be used).

(c)   If there is a line of people waiting to enter, you may be asked to wait in your car for a moment. Otherwise, please proceed with faces covered to a designated entrance, keeping social distance at all times (6-foot lines on sidewalks and aisles inside).

(d)   A greeter will check your name on the sign-up list as you sanitize your hands.

(e)   You will notice a lot of signs, blue tape and/or white rope guiding you – don’t be overwhelmed as volunteers will guide you!

(f)    An usher will escort you to available seating for individuals or family/households. If you have a need or desire to be in a certain section you can express it to the usher, but please know you will not be seated in your “usual” pew (2/3 of them are blocked off for social distancing).

(g)   For a while, there will be no congregational singing, so sung parts will be done by the music ministers on behalf of all of the People of God. Likewise, there will be no holding hands or exchange of peace.

(h)   At Communion and again at the end of Mass, an usher will invite you pew by pew, keeping social distancing in the aisles. To avoid stepping over each other, all will leave the pew at the same time, generally by the side aisle (if you are not receiving Communion you can return to the pew).

(i)    The directives of the Archdiocese of Boston say, “Communicants will receive the consecrated host in their hands, step to the side, lower their mask [with one hand], consume the host [with the other hand], replace their mask, and return to their pew.” For now, “Communion on the tongue [is] forbidden…at least for the duration of Phase One.”

Don’t worry about remembering all of this! With the help of our volunteers and staff I am sure you will feel welcome and become comfortable with these necessary precautions so we can allow at least some parishioners to return to Mass now, and more in the future.

As always, continue to check www.pwc.church and our social media for the latest updates and opportunities for online participation to keep connected with each other and our collaborative parishes. May the Holy Spirit breathe new life into the Church as we move forward in Him!

   – Fr. Joe