The Ascension of The Lord

There have been many changes in the past week. I am writing this column on Monday, May 18th, and there may be even more changes before you receive this bulletin at the end of the week. The Governor’s public health order currently in effect allows for houses of worship to hold services at up to 25% of their occupancy capacity as determined by the fire marshal. Here at Our Lady of Fatima, we have resumed our normal weekend Mass schedule which includes Masses at 5:30 pm on Saturday, and 7:30 am, 10:00 am and 12:00 noon on Sunday. The occupancy restrictions limit us to a maximum of 178 people in the church at each Mass. We were well within those limits this past weekend. In the event that on future weekends we reach the maximum allowed attendance at a Mass, we have set up the gym to accommodate the “overflow” with a second Mass being offered at the same time in the gym.

It is very important to note that the Archbishop’s dispensation from Sunday obligation continues to remain in effect for all. Persons who are sick, have a compromised immune system, are in an age group particularly susceptible to the coronavirus, or are simply concerned about going out into the public at this time, have no obligation to attend Mass while the dispensation remains in effect. At Our Lady of Fatima, we will continue to offer the streamed Mass on our parish website for the benefit of those who are unable to attend Mass in person.

The following points are also very important:

• Persons must enter and exit through the East door of the church only. No other doors are to be used.
• All persons 3 years of age and older must wear a mask/facial covering.
• There will be a basket near the church door in which you may place your offertory envelope. Parishioners also have the option to use online giving which is available on our parish website.
• Please sit in designated pews only. Social distancing must be observed, maintaining at least 6 feet of separation between persons, though persons who reside in the same household may sit closer.
• There are to be no exchanges of handshakes or other physical greetings.
• The Priests have been instructed to shorten the length of the Mass in appropriate ways through shorter homilies, shorter versions of prayers, etc..
• Per the guidelines of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Holy Communion will be distributed at the end of Mass. Communion may be received ONLY in the hand at this time. Communion will not be distributed on the tongue. Facial masks may be briefly removed in order to consume the Eucharist, but should be put back on immediately after placing the Host in your mouth.

Please note that the church will be cleaned after every Mass to help reduce the possibility of transmission of the virus. Daily Mass is currently held at 8:15 am only on Monday through Friday. It is expected that the 6:30 am Mass will be added at a later date. Daily Mass may also be viewed on the parish website. Morning Mass on Saturday mornings will remain at 7:30 am. Confession will be available in the church at the normal time of 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. To maintain social distancing, we will not be using the confessionals. Chairs have been set up with a dividing screen between them.

Please be patient as we adapt to the current circumstances of the pandemic. May God bless you and keep you and your loved ones safe. For those with internet access, please check the parish website for the latest updates.