Guidelines for Reopening Our Church

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The dispensation from participation at Sunday and Holy Day Masses has been extended by Bishop Tobin until further notice. Do not worry if you are uncomfortable about returning to Mass.

The elderly, those with weakened health conditions, and those with a compromised immune system are encouraged to stay home in accordance with current CDC guidelines.

If you are ill or are just not feeling well, you must stay home.

If you have symptoms of any sickness (even mild symptoms), you must stay home.

The 10:00 AM Sunday Mass will be livestreamed on Facebook at facebook.com/foster.catholic

Pews and commonly touched surfaces will be sanitized before/after each Mass.

Seating for each Mass will be limited to 43 people, which is 25% of our fire code capacity.

For now, the first 43 individuals to arrive will be seated inside the church until there becomes a need to allocate seating differently.

We will broadcast the Mass on 107.90 FM on car radios for those who choose not to enter the church—or could not enter due to the occupancy limit.

Those who participate in Mass from the outside will be brought Communion if they choose to receive.

Wear a face mask to help limit the potential spread of infection and to provide fellow parishioners with a sign of assurance that we care for each other. 

Individuals who are 2-years old or younger, or who have difficulty breathing, or who are unable to remove the mask without assistance do not wear a face mask.

Ushers will remind or assist you to sanitize your hands at the church entrance.

Keep a distance of at least 6-feet from one another unless you are with members of your household.

To maintain the required social distance of 6-feet, alternating pews will be marked for seating.

Ushers will escort you to an available seat.

At least for the time being, you may not be able to sit in your “regular” seat.

If you come by yourself or as a couple, you will most likely be seated in the side pews.

Families or those living together in the same household may sit together. 

Singing will be limited because of the increase of aerosolized particles due to singing.

Missalettes will be removed from pews; you may take one home to bring back and forth with you.

There will be no passing of the basket for the collection; instead, donations can be submitted before or after Mass in the collection box.

There will be no procession with the Offertory Gifts, and no sharing of the Sign of Peace.

The floor will be marked with blue tape indicating where to stand in line for Communion.

Father and Deacon will sanitize their hands before distributing Holy Communion.

Ushers will guide the procession lines to and from the two Communion stations at the side aisles.

You are encouraged to reverently receive Communion in your hand.

Coming forward with your face mask on, when presented with the Body of Christ, respond “Amen.”

Remove your face mask; receive and consume the Host; and replace your face mask.

If Father or Deacon inadvertently touches someone in giving Communion, he will place the Communion vessel on a nearby table, purify his fingers in water, and sanitize his hands before giving Communion to the next person.

You may choose to not receive Holy Communion and make an act of spiritual communion instead. 

Ushers will assist with exiting, beginning from the back, and moving forward toward the Altar.

Do not congregate inside the building.

Keep the social distance of 6-feet, and continue to wear your face mask, if speaking to others outside.