Returning to Mass
Your Latest News From St. Paul the Apostle Parish
May 29 Special Edition - UPDATED JULY 11
- Public Masses resume Friday, May 29!
- Things to keep in mind
- Holy Communion video and flow
- Singing at Mass
- Mass times
- Parish survey
- 11am Sunday Mass livestream to continue
- Thank you to our Back-to-Mass volunteers!
Public Masses have resumed
My dear friends in Christ,
Our parish team for a safe return to Mass and I wanted to share with you the joy of resuming our public Masses and what this practically means.
By now you should have received in the mail a letter from us about this joyful news and how we at St. Paul's intend to implement these changes based on the diocesan guidelines all parishes have to follow. Below you will see some specific information to our parish, meant to assist us in this transitional phase as we return to Mass. Please take the time to familiarize with these new practices.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Peter Damian
“Man is not sufficient for his own happiness; he is not happy except the Presence of God be with him.” (Bl. John Henry Newman)
A few things to keep in mind
- Church capacity is currently limited to 25% (150 persons max). Please consider attending a weekday Mass if you have flexibility. Bishop Walkowiak has suspended the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays through the end of July.
- Anyone over the age of 2 and those who can medically tolerate a face covering is required to wear a mask/face covering. Parents, we know this may be difficult with young children, please try your best. Please bring your own mask as we have only a limited supply of masks for those who are without.
- The diocese recommends people stay at home if they are considered vulnerable due to age (over 60) or underlying health conditions. If you are sick, please stay home.
- Single point access to the church (West entrance)
- Doors open half an hour before each Mass (to allow for cleaning and preparation). Extra sanitization will be in place.
- When you arrive, an Usher will take you to a seat. Be prepared to sit somewhere other than your favorite pew.
- The pattern for Holy Communion will be different (see flow diagram below). Ushers will direct you when to approach and instructions will be given at each Mass.
- Ushers will dismiss you at the end of Mass.
Additionally...
- Maintain 6ft distance at all times from others than your own family unit as you access the church, during and after Mass. Pews will be taped off for this purpose. Please avoid congregating in the narthex.
- Avoid physical contact with other parishioners or the minister of Holy Communion (such as holding hands during the 'Our Father', sign of peace, Holy Communion from the chalice, etc.) Avoid passing of bulletins and worship aids, they are to take home with you or dispose in the recycle bin at the exit (do not leave in the pews or put them back on the table in the narthex). Instead of passing the collection basket, there will be a special basket at the church entrance where you can safely leave your envelope or offering.
- Use available sanitizers or bring your own hand sanitizer.
- The parish office will remain closed to the public until June 15, in compliance with the Governor's order. Essential operations will be conducted but no church activity is allowed at this time in the building other than for worship purposes. July 6 UPDATE : the office is now open for necessary business.
- Music has been adjusted to meet new diocesan guidelines which address the existing safety concerns with congregational singing and choir use, as well as the practicality of singing while wearing masks (see more information below)
UPDATES ON COVID-19 @ SPA - JULY 11, 2020
We are now six weeks into the reopening of Mass after quarantine, which seems a good time to touch base with everyone and refresh our collective understanding of what we are doing and why we are doing it. Here are some key points for all of us to remember.
Instructions for Receiving Communion
Wait for a cue from one of our ushers before moving into the aisle.
Maintain 6’ spacing as you approach.
You are strongly encouraged to receive in the hand.
However, you may receive on the tongue if you so prefer.
Remove gloves and sanitize your hands before receiving.
You may use your own sanitizer or one of the automatic dispensers
in the aisle. Wait for it it to dry before receiving.
Wait at the marked “AMEN” on the floor.
When the minister of Holy Communion speaks to you,
respond with “Amen”, remove your face covering,
then step forward and receive.
Hold your hand flat and still
until the minister has placed the Host and removed his hand.
RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION VIDEO
New flow for Holy Communion
Music as we return to Mass
You will notice that the music, like so many other things, has also been adjusted to meet new guidelines. The guidelines we are following were provided by our Diocesan Music Director, Dcn. Dennis Rybicki, and are being used at parishes throughout the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
Congregational singing is permitted with the understanding that everyone must keep their face coverings in place. Music directors have been asked to program music that uses short, gentle refrains for the congregation. Choirs are not permitted at this time, so our cantors will lead us.
Music is a handmaid to the liturgy. I am exercising every creative impulse I have to keep the music for Mass at a high and beautiful level, appropriate to the celebration that it is. Our faith tells us that we are not alone at the Mass, but that we are surrounded by angels and saints. We join our song to theirs, and though it may sound and feel different to us in the weeks ahead, we are comforted by this vision of the union of heaven and earth.
Sing on!
Your Director of Sacred Music - Michael Miller
Mass times
This is the tentative Mass schedule for June:
- Saturday 5pm
- Sunday 9 & 11am
- *Monday 8:30am - limited to 10% capacity to accommodate those at higher risk.
- Wednesday*, Thursday, Friday 8:30am - starting June 10 Wednesday Mass will be at 12pm.
Doors will open no earlier than half an hour before each Mass.
Based on the feedback we have received from you, we will be tentatively moving the Wednesday Mass from 8:30am to 12pm starting on June 10 to allow greater participation of those who cannot make the morning time. If this works better for you, please let us know either by contacting the parish directly or by adding a comment in the survey below. Wednesday Masses were celebrated at nursing homes but with the current restrictions in place they are not possible for the time being. Please keep our nursing home residents and homebound parishioners in your prayers at this time.
Your feedback is very important, please take the survey if you haven't yet.
We have also considered adding a Sunday Mass and, if need be, we might do that in the Fall. At this time, with so much unknown, we have to maintain some flexibility; with many priests in the at-risk category, priests may be needed to assist elsewhere with Masses.
Please take the survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8SYN927
We have already implemented some changes based on the comments, suggestions, we have received from you and will continue to do so, provided it is in our power to do so within the strict directions we have received from the diocese.
Thank you for you patience and understanding.
Sunday Mass livestream
PARISH RESOURCES
- Please read the letter from the Back-to-Mass (Safely) Team
- Frequently Asked Questions list here.
- Dedicated web page: https://spagr.org/church/covid19/
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Bishop Walkowiak's letter
- Diocese of Grand Rapids FAQ about public Masses and other church services
Agonizing Over When to Return to Mass? Two Things to Consider
“Do I go back to Mass when there’s been an uptick in local cases?”
“With a vulnerable family member, is it safe for me to attend and possibly bring the virus home to them?”
“How do I attend with an adventurous toddler who can’t understand social distancing or wear a mask?”
“What do I do if the idea of being around that many people gives me an anxiety attack?”
"Am I not as Catholic? Am I not as faithful? I feel so guilty that I’m not at Mass yet.”
Back-to-Mass (Safely) Team & Volunteers
A special thank you to our Back-to-Mass (Safely) Team for helping us resuming our public Mass with all the complexities required by the present challenges:
Michael Miller
Dcn. Michael Goodwin
Elizabeth Bertacchi
Tim Gutwald
John & Tiffny Harmon
Jack & Mary Hartmann
Charlie Jilek
Tom Kampfschulte
Paul Korte
David & Lynn Malson
Peggy Marshall
Jim & Mary Jo Rabaut
Joe Rossi
Doug Taylor-Weiss
Jeanne Winkelmann
If you wish to serve, please contact Elizabeth Bertacchi for more information.
What about other sacraments?
UPDATE MID-JUNE:
Funeral Masses and weddings are allowed, with the same limitations as for other Masses. Baptisms are to be celebrated privately, with special safety measures in place. More information about the updated calendar for First Communion is available on our website and has been sent out to all parents. Holy Communion to the sick and homebound is currently still not allowed, except for the dying. For the sacrament of the anointing of the sick and other celebrations please contact the parish office.
MAY 29: More information will be forthcoming about First Communion, Confirmation, Funeral Masses and other parish activities as we reopen. For now we are continuing with private celebrations of the sacraments for RCIA & RCIC candidates and catechumens, as well as baptisms of children.
Weekly Schedule
- Sunday 9 & 11am
- Monday 8:30am (limited to 10% capacity to accommodate those at higher risk)
- Wednesday 12:00pm
- Thursday & Friday 8:30am
- Saturday 5pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturday 3:30-4:30pm on the front porch of the Rectory (off the West parking lot)
The Church is open for private prayer:
Monday-Friday 9am-4pm
Sunday Mass is livestreamed on our Facebook page, 11am.
The Parish Office is open to the public, with limitations, as of July 6, 9-4pm (closed 12-1pm for lunch).
Parish Office Updates
JULY 6 UPDATE:
The Parish Office is open to the public as of Monday, July 6 from 9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. , 1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m. While we are happy to reopen for necessary business, we do so initially with considerable Covid-19 limitations and precautions, which are still in place in this phase.
Please keep the following in mind:
All visitors, as well as Parish Staff, will complete a health screening questionnaire upon entering the Parish Office, answering general health questions related to Covid-19 symptoms, in order to be admitted.
Face masks/coverings (when medically tolerable) and social distancing (except with those from the same household) are required.
Visitors are encouraged to come by appointment, allowing the Office time to conduct the questionnaire prior to your arrival. You can use the electronic form provided here or verbally acknowledge compliance with these conditions.
Please continue to drop off weekly envelopes in the dropbox under the Parish Office window (to the right of the office door) to minimize the number of Office visitors.
For those who do not have a reason to schedule an in-person visit, you may still speak with our staff in the following ways: call 616-949-4170 or email Elizabeth at ebertacchi@spagr.org.
MID MAY:
Due to the extended Stay-at-Home order, the Parish Office will remain closed to the public until Monday, June 15. In the meantime:
- We are available to you via phone at 616-949-4170 or email at pmarshall@spagr.org or ebertacchi@spagr.org. We will be checking messages daily.
- For non-emergency needs, please email or leave a message at the extension of the staff member you wish to speak with and they will return your email/call as soon as possible (extensions are listed on the recording).
- For emergency needs, please call the number provided on the recording.
- For those who would like to drop off their weekly envelopes, please use the drop box under the Parish Office window (to the right of the office door) or when you come to Mass on Sundays.
- We look forward to seeing you at Mass! You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Peggy & Elizabeth
SPA Parish Office Staff
Parish News & Resources during COVID-19
Contact Us!
Email: ebertacchi@spagr.org
Website: spagr.org/church
Location: 2750 Burton Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Phone: 616-949-4170
Facebook: facebook.com/stpaulapostlecatholic