Per Governor Edward's directives, masks are required in public. This mandate includes places of worship. Parishioners are strongly encourage to wear a mask in church, and please bring your own mask as our supply of disposable masks are limited.
EXCEPTIONS to the Governor's mask mandate include individuals with risk profiles that indicate Diminished Respiratory Function as well as children under 8 years of age.
Social distancing guidelines remain in place, i.e. keeping a distance of at least six (6) feet between persons, avoiding close face-to-face contact, wearing masks if required, and proper sanitizing.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness (cough, fever, chills, loss of taste/smell), or have had contact with anyone diagnosed with the virus, please stay home.
All Catholics continue to be dispensed from their obligation to Sunday Mass. Nonetheless, the duty to sanctify Sunday should be fulfilled through some other devotion, including watching Mass on television or on the internet, the rosary, scripture reading, etc.
OCCUPANCY: The requirement to "keep 6 feet away from neighbor" (Social Distancing) will not really increase the number of parishioners that we can fit in our church and chapel. They essentially remain the same: 150 for St. Ann's, and about 100 for Holy Spirit Chapel (roughly 70 in the chapel proper, and 30 in the gathering space near the kitchen).
For those who wish to stay at home, Mass will continue to be live streamed from St. John the Evangelist Cathedral Sundays at 11am & Monday-Friday at 12:05pm (https://saintjohncathedral.org/). You can also watch Mass on EWTN (https://ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings), and with Bishop Robert Barron at Word on Fire (https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/).
The Adoration Chapel:
The Adoration Chapel remains closed until further notice.
Confessions:
Confessions will be heard inside the Confessionals. Effective immediately, we are returning to our regular Confession schedule IN THE CHURCH: beginning one half-hour before weekday Mass; 3:00 - 3:45 Saturday, and 4:15 - 4:45 Sunday.
I ask that you please wear a mask while you are in Confession. The priests in the Confessional will usually hear many Confessions during one sitting and is vulnerable. Please be considerate and wear a mask while in Confession. Thank you.
Parish Office Administration:
The Parish Office will remain closed to visitors until further notice. However, our parish staff is working and will be glad to help you with whatever you may need...just call the office. And, as always, Fr. Massie and Fr. Bala are available for emergencies.
Anointing of the Sick:
The sick who are in critical condition may still receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
When we are unable to make it to Mass, we can still make an Act of Spiritual Communion, in which we convey our faith in Christ and in His Presence in the Holy Eucharist, and we ask Him to unite Himself with us. The basic aspects of an Act of Spiritual Communion are an Act of Faith; an Act of Love; a desire to receive Christ; and an invitation to Him to come into your heart.
An Act of Spiritual Communion was highly recommended by many saints, according to Pope John Paul II. He explained that practicing this constant desire for Jesus in the Eucharist is rooted in the ultimate perfection of Eucharistic communion, which is the ultimate goal of every human desire.
Saturday: 3 PM - 3:45 PM @ St. Ann
Sunday: 4:15 PM - 4:45 PM @ St. Ann
Weekdays: Begining 30 minutes before each weekday Mass;
or by appointment.