Instructions For Attending Limited Attendance Mass

As of June 1, 2020 Bishop David Malloy, Bishop of the Diocese of Rockford, has increased the number of people who can attend Mass in person.  However, there continues to be no obligation to attend Mass in the Diocese of Rockford.
 
If you would like to attend Mass please read through the details below – thank you for your patience and compliance.
 
CAPACITY & SEAT RESERVATION

• For now, Masses will be limited to 120 people
• Tickets are NOT required to attend weekday Mass. (Beginning June 8)
• To ensure we maintian a limit of 120 people for weekend Mass we are asking parishioners to obtain a ticket for each individual attending. 
• Use this link to get your tickets 

TICKETS

NO ONE WILL BE ADMITTED TO WEEKEND MASSES WITHOUT A TICKET. NO EXCEPTONS
 

• .Technical support to assist with online reservations is available by calling the parish office and leaving your name and phone number.  (847)888-1682 Someone will return your call.  You can also contact us at shall@stthomasmorechurch.org

 
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

• Wash your hands.
• For those age 2+, face coverings are required on our campus and during Mass.
• The cry room is closed.
• Bring your own hand sanitizer that can be used before receiving Holy Communion.
• Do not bring items that contain bleach into the sanctuary as this will damage the pews.

 
 MASS ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
 

• Masks (for ages 2+) should be worn as soon as you exit your vehicle.
• Arrive 15-20 minutes before Mass begins to stand in line.
• Enter through the main church doors.  Doors will be locked once all have been admitted. DO NOT BE LATE
• Our volunteer staff will give you information for seating.  
• Every other pew will be closed.
• You may be sharing a pew with another household, but social distance is required between the households (6ft).
• There will be no seating in front chair sections, or cry room. 
• The holy water fonts remain empty.

 
MASS PROCEDURES
 

• Masses will be conducted as you have seen on the Live Stream with reduced volunteer lay ministers. There will be no altar servers, or choirs.
• Communion will be distributed ON BARE HANDS.
• Trained volunteers will serve as ushers until further notice.
• Please keep your face mask on for the duration of Mass.
• Baskets will not be passed during the offertory. You will be able to place your weekly gift in a basket as you exit the church, but we strongly encourage online giving through: We Share.  

 WE SHARE ONLINE GIVING

 COMMUNION PROCEDURES
 

• Communion may be received only on a BARE hand.  The precious blood will not be offered to the congregation.
• Use of personal hand sanitizer before communion is strongly encouraged.
• There will be a single communion line .  Volunteer staff will assist in ushering.
• Masks should be worn in the communion line. After the priest offers you communion please step to the side, remove your mask, consume the Eucharist, and then  re-mask as you head back to your pew.  

 
MASS DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
 

• After the final blessing, parishioners must remain in their pew.
• Pews will be dismissed in an orderly fashion starting in the rear of the church and then moving forward. This will be similar to how you exit an airplane.
• You must exit your pew when prompted. Private prayer is not available after Masses to allow the church to be reset for the next Mass.
• You can drop your weekly offertory as you depart.
• You will exit through the Gathering Space main doors.
• Clergy will not shake hands in the Gathering Space. They will wave as you exit.
• Please do not congregate outside but head directly to your vehicle.

 
 
CHURCH CLEANING PROCEDURES
 
We will continue to implement cleanliness and sanitization practices, including cleaning pews in between every Mass.
Disinfecting bathrooms, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces occur throughout the day.
Volunteer staff will be required to wear face masks, and wash hands. 
You are reminded to follow CDC recommendations regarding your own health. If you fall into an “at risk” category, please stay home and join us by Live Stream.
 
 
OTHER SACRAMENTS
 
Reconciliation: As of May12, 2020, confession is now available outdoors in front of Church on Tuesdays at 5:30PM and Saturdays at 1:00PM.   Please wear a mask to confession. 
 
Baptisms of Infants: Contact Sharon Hall at shall@stthomasmorechurch.org to make arrangements.   
 
Anointing of the Sick: communion for the Sick and viaticum for the dying will only be distributed by priests. Priests will continue to minister to the sick where they are permitted. In the event of an emergency call (331)308-0878.
 
Weddings: Must follow the above Mass protocol. Contact Fr. Browning at rbrowning@stthomasmorechurch.org for more information. 
 
First Communions: All Communion families will be contacted after June 1st with specific details for scheduling children to recieve their First Communion under the new guidelines.  Contact Michelle Tack at mtack@stthomasmorechurch.org  for more details.
 
 Funerals: Must follow the above Mass protocol. Contact the parish office for assistance.