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.  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:

• All Catholics in the Archdiocese of Detroit, regardless of age or health, are dispensed from the obligation to participate at weekend Masses.  This dispensation is granted to all the faithful through Monday, November 23rd, 2020. 
• 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 it is not a sin to miss weekend Masses because we are dispensed from the obligation to do so and/or because someone is sick.  We may feel guilty missing Mass but feeling guilty and committing a sin are two very different things.

With these principles in mind, do not feel obligated that you must go to Mass on weekends.  You may decide not to go and continue to participate at Masses on TV or on the internet. You have the option to go to a weekend Mass every second or third weekend.  Or you may decide to avoid weekend Mass and participate at a weekday Mass when fewer people are present.  The decision is up to you.
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. Therefore, if you want to participate at a weekend Mass we will be using the following procedures:

• It is no longer necessary to call the parish office to specify the weekend Mass you will be attending.
• 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 a table in the Gathering Space. Since we are discontinuing the collection, a basket will be on this table for your church contribution envelope.  Also on the table will be some handouts for you to use at Mass since the missalettes have been removed from the pew racks.  
• 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