COVID-19 Updates

The Most Reverend Michael McGovern Mass Update: 3/19/2022

Updates for Mass and Liturgy from the Diocese as of 8/30/2021

Phase 5 Updates for Mass and Liturgy from the Diocese


We have created a Sign Up Genius to help track and identify those who are willing and able to help with church reopening.  If you are interested in being part of the team please click on the link below or call the church office to sign up.  Please read over the criteria for serving in these positions and make sure you meet the criteria before signing up. 

  • Setup team: Volunteers will ensure that: all supplies needed for each sacramental celebration/gathering are ready for use, entrances and exits are marked and propped physically open prior to attendees’ arrival/departure, windows are opened, restrooms are stocked and managed, etc. They will ensure hand sanitizer is available and that pews are marked off according to social distancing guidelines. 
  • Greeting team: Greeters will assist in managing the flow of congregants as they enter the church, participate in the liturgy/sacrament, and exit the church. Team members will combine some of the functions of an usher, such as directing participants to appropriate seating/waiting areas, but will include additional responsibilities, including, but not limited to, making sure attendees use hand sanitizer upon entering, are wearing a mask, and are reminded not to enter if ill. Given the circumstances, greeters will need to be tactful and firm paying careful attention to all people on-site. To support parish greeter teams, rudimentary training tips on handling difficult situations will be provided. 
  • Cleaning team: These volunteers will help maintain and clean essential and trafficked areas of the church before and after the church has been used. Masks and gloves will be provided, if necessary, in addition to approved cleaning/disinfecting supplies. Parishes will need to develop appropriate schedules and verification methods to ensure cleaning occurs at the proper times relative to when congregants arrive and leave the church building. To support the cleaning team, guidance on proper cleaning procedures will be provided in the webinar training. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4BA5AD29A7F94-church  

Thank you for your patience through this time being away and getting back to the church.  We are excited about celebrating the Mass together in person as a family again.  More details about resuming Masses will be forthcoming as we get them from the Diocese and develop our plans.

God Bless you all! 


 

Mass Opportunities During COVID-19:

The list of online masses throughout our Diocese. HERE

Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church's Facebook page will have daily live streaming of Mass at 9 am and two live streaming of Masses on Saturdays at 5 pm and Sundays at 10 am. Additional resources can be found below. 

Click HERE for A Liturgy of the World for Home on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. 

Click HERE for an explanation on "How to Pray the Rosary." This may be a new form of prayer for some individuals or an opportunity for parents to teach their children about the beauty and power of praying the rosary.

Following is a reminder on where to find a televised Mass (click on the title to view the website):

Daily Mass with Word on Fire from Bishop Robert Barron’s Chapel

Daily Mass from Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN

Sunday Masses for the homebound telecast from the Archdiocese of St. Louis (includes listings for both antenna and cable television, radio and online)

Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville - English and Spanish Masses available beginning March 22, 2020

EWTN: https://www.ewtn.com/tv/channel-finder (English)

            https://www.ewtn.com/espanol/magtv.asp (Spanish)

Catholic TV: https://www.catholictv.org

 


Health & Safety Measures:

COVID-19 Guidelines from Bishop Braxton
Epidemic, Pandemic and Outbreak Preparedness

  • Parishioners should not come to Mass and parish activities if they are feeling sick with symptoms of the virus or if their immune system is compromised. Anyone who is ill is automatically dispensed from the obligation to participate in the Sunday Eucharist. 
  • Make sure all vessels used at Mass, once purified, are thoroughly washed with soap and hot water after each use.
  • The greeting of peace should not be a handshake or a kiss. It should be verbal without physical contact.
  • Holding hands, which is not formally a part of the Mass, should be discontinued. 
  • Parishioners should keep a reasonable distance from the nearest person in church, whenever possible.
  • The Faithful should receive Holy Communion only in their hand and not on the tongue. 
  • Discontinue the distribution of the Blood of Christ to the Faithful from the chalice. 
  • All holy water fonts and baptistries must be emptied and covered at this time. Holy water should be poured out on the ground. 
  • Priests, Deacons, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should practice good hygiene, washing their hands before Mass begins and using an alcohol-based antibacterial solution before and after distributing Holy Communion. This should be done in a reverent and non-distracting manner. 
  • All parishioners should be mindful of the need to wash their hands with soap regularly throughout the day and make every effort to avoid touching their faces. 
  • All Priests, Deacons, and Extraordinary Ministers bringing the Eucharist to the elderly, sick, or homebound, must be in good health, showing no symptoms of the virus. Be aware that many nursing homes in the Diocese not allowing visitors at this time. 
  • Please consult the regular updates on the coronavirus (COVID-19) as well as all preventative measures which can be found at cdc.gov. Always follow the advice of medical professionals and experts.