Parish Update
Sts. Agnes, Rose & Paul of the Cross
Update on Returning to Mass . . .
June 19, 2020
Dear Friends of Saint Agnes, Saint Paul of the Cross, and Saint Rose;
We hope and pray that this note finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow – we are able to celebrate Mass again! The restriction on Church attendance has been relaxed to 25% of total seating capacity. For example, if the total seating capacity of St Rose Church is 500, then we would be allowed 125 (25% of 500) people to attend Mass. However the continued requirement for social distancing complicates matters. Maintaining six feet separation among attendees significantly reduces the total possible attendance. Families living under the same roof can sit together; so the more families there are, the more people we can fit into church. Our best guesstimate of total seating allowed at St Agnes is around 60-70 individuals, maybe 80 with some families in attendance and good ushering to help maintain the required six foot separation.
Masses on Saturday June 20 (4:00PM) and Sunday June 21 (8:00AM, 10:00AM and 12:00Noon) will all be at St Agnes. Starting the following weekend we intend to resume the normal Mass Schedule, Saturday June 27 4:00PM at St Agnes, Sunday June 28 8:00AM at St Rose, 9:45AM at St Paul of the Cross and 11:30 at St Agnes.
We don’t want anyone to show up at church and be turned away because the seating capacity had already been reached, so for this period we are instituting a sign-up system. To attend weekend Mass at St Agnes call or text Bernie Zapf at 301-0979. To attend weekend Mass at St Paul of the Cross email Andrea Hulsey at hulseyfamilyny@gmail.com, or if you don’t have email, call at 619-453-6413. Based on estimated capacity at St Rose and attendance figures from before Coronavirus restrictions, we believe no prior sign-up will be needed for the 8:00AM Mass at St Rose, beginning Sunday June 28.
Daily Mass (no sign-up required) will continue be held at St Agnes at 9:00AM, Monday through Friday, until normal schedule is resumed on Monday June 29.This is great alternative to weekend Mass while the Sunday obligation to attend Mass remains suspended in the Diocese of Rochester because of COVID-19.
Another major challenge - common surfaces likely to be touched (tops of pews, handrails, etc.) must be wiped with a clean cloth and disinfectant solution before each Mass. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to help us with this required task so please sign-up on one of the sheets in each of the churches.
With confidence in a good and gracious God to help us through these challenging times, I remain
Yours in Christ,
Father Michael G Fowler
Pastor,
Saint Agnes, Saint Paul of the Cross, Saint Rose
GUIDELINES . . .
General Guidelines for Mass Attendance
- The obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains suspended in the Diocese of Rochester
- Those who are at a higher risk for COVID-19 and those concerned for their health should not to come to church.
- Those who feel sick in any way should not come to church.
- All persons two years old or older must wear a face mask. Please provide your own mask.
- Attendees should sanitize their hands at the entrance to the church. Sanitizer will be provided but use of your own is appreciated.
- All persons present at Mass must maintain six feet or more away from other persons (“Social Distance”). Families of the same household may sit together.
- Offertory collections will not be taken by ushers, a large collection basket will be placed in the center aisle for contributions to be placed before or after Mass. PLEASE consider online giving
- Missalettes or other worship aids will not be provided; you may bring your own materials but please remember to take them home with you.
- The Sign of Peace remains suspended.
- No holding hands during the Our Father expect among families who wish to do so.
Guidelines for Reception of Holy Communion
- Distribution is via the host only, which is the Body and Blood of Christ; there will be no separate offering of the Precious Blood.
- Only the Priest Celebrant will distribute Holy Communion. Approach via the center aisle. observing the tape on the carpet with 6 ft intervals delineated for social distancing.
- Once the host is placed in the palm of your hand, move to the side, lower your mask, consume the host and replace your mask.
- Return to your seat via the side aisles maintaining social distance as much as possible.
- Be patient, the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, no hurry.
Sts. Agnes, Rose & Paul of the Cross
Email: Ann.Brule@dor.org
Website: SaintAgnesPaulRose.org
Location: 96 Prospect Street, Avon, NY, USA
Phone: 585.226.2100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.saintagnespaulrose.org/