Celebrating Public Masses at St. Colette Church During the COVID-19 Pandemic

St. Colette Parish has resumed the celebration of public Masses in our church.  Weekend Masses are celebrated on Saturdays at 4:00 pm and Sundays at 8:00 am, 10:00 am and 12 Noon.  Saturday’s Mass is livestreamed at 4:00 pm on Facebook for those unable to attend in person, and a recording of that Mass is available on our Facebook page for those that wish to watch on Sunday.  Weekday Masses are celebrated at 9:00 am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The way we celebrate Mass now is quite different than it was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.   First, some guiding principles:

• Archbishop Vigneron has issued updated specific dispensations for attend Mass - to see if you fall into any of these categories, please see dispensation information HERE. 
• Those older than 65 years old, with a compromised health condition or caring for the sick in any way, should stay home.  Anyone who is ill, has a temperature, cough, etc., should definitely stay home as an act of justice to the whole community.
• Remember that it is not a sin to miss attending Mass when your situation falls under the specific dispensation or if it is unsafe for you or your community to do so. We may feel guilty missing Mass but feeling guilty and committing a sin are two very different things.

Please consider carefully if you should be attending Masses in person right now. With Masses in church, the Archdiocese of Detroit has allowed us to increase capacity to 50%, ONLY IF we are still able to continue six-foot social distancing. At St. Colette, because of the number and layout of the pews, we will NOT be able to increase our capacity to 50% and still maintain a six-foot distance. So our capacity is limited and we are currently in a situation of having more people who want to attend Mass than we can safely fit into the Church. Now that many people have been vaccinated, we expect the number who want to attend to increase. Please be aware that while we do not want to turn anyone away, we have a responsibility to provide a safe environment to our parishioners. 

• Coming to church for Mass, everyone two years old and older must bring a personal face mask (masks will not be provided by the parish).  Wearing of gloves is optional.  Face masks must be worn when walking from your car to the church doors and at all times in the church. Please wear your mask properly - covering both the mouth and nose!  The only doors available for entrance will be the main/bronze doors located under the outdoor canopy.  
• You should also bring to church small containers of personal hand sanitizers or a travel pack size such as “Wet Ones” or other brands. 
• Upon entering the church, first you will stop at the hospitality table in the Gathering Space. Since we are discontinuing the collection, there is a wooden box on this table for your church contribution envelope.  Since the missalettes have been removed from the pew racks, readings and songs are printed in the weekly bulletin, which you can get from the hospitality table. 
• There is no reserved seat for you in the church.  Rows of pews are marked off to provide social distancing in front and behind you.  Each pew is marked with red tape indicating where you can sit in that pew at a six-foot distance.  Groups of two or more, living in the same household, do not have to sit six feet apart from each other; only six feet apart from other people in your pew.  The ushers will be in church to assist people with seating.

For the celebration of Mass, we are using the following procedures and others to maintain good hygiene and safe distancing.  The Archdiocese of Detroit has mandated the majority of these guidelines.

• Parts of the Mass that are temporarily discontinued: the collection, the Presentation of the Gifts of Bread and Wine, holding of hands during the Lord’s Prayer and shaking hands during the Sign of Peace (except those living together in the same household), and receiving Communion in the form of the consecrated Wine.
• With the missalettes removed from the pew racks, the Scripture Readings and Hymns are printed in the weekly church paper that you will receive in the Gathering Space upon arrival.  
• The procedures for distribution and reception of Holy Communion:
  • There are three stations for Communion: the center aisle and the two window aisles.  Communion will be taken to those in the pews for people with special needs.  
  • A six-foot distance must be maintained between you and the person in front of you when walking in line to receive Communion.  The ends of the pews are marked with green tape to indicate the six-foot distancing.  You must continue to wear your facemask when in line for Communion.
  • For good hygiene, it is highly encouraged that everyone receive Communion in the hand and not on the tongue, even if you have never done so in the past.  If you absolutely must receive Communion on the tongue, you must go to the priest to receive Communion.  During the pandemic, our Eucharistic Ministers will not be distributing Communion on the tongue.
  • To receive Communion in the hand keep your facemask on and take off any gloves.  Make the necessary reverence by a simple bow (nod) of the head, say “Amen” and extend your hands to receive Communion.  Then step aside a few feet, lower your mask, consume the host, place your mask over your nose and mouth, and return to your pew.
  • To receive Communion on the tongue keep your facemask on, make the necessary reverence by a simple bow (nod) of the head, say “Amen,” remove your mask, and extend your tongue.  Then place your mask over your nose and mouth and return to your pew.

If you have any questions regarding these Mass procedures, please contact me at 734-464-4433 or at gmichalik@stcolette.net.

Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes (patroness of the sick)...pray for us.
St. Colette…pray for us.

Please stay safe and healthy and may God bless you,
Rev. Gary Michalik