Parish Plan for Re-Opening

ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST-PUBLIC MASS PLAN

A.  Frequency of Masses/Capacity
What is the current capacity of the parish?- 300   One-Fourth (25%) Capacity?- 75  

Is there a place for overflow? What is that capacity? Yes, St John school gym, capacity 50       
              
Will additional Masses be necessary (if so how many)? NO   What are the new Mass times? N/A
Will there be a specific Mass for the vulnerable, or for healthcare workers? NO
NOTE:  Mass will be offered at 4pm on Saturday and 9am on Sunday.  9am Mass will also be live streamed.

B. Mass Attendance
How will you determine the process for Parishioners attending Mass?
 Online form sign-up on website?                                                                      Other third-party sign-up platform (e.g. Sign-up Genius)
 Alphabetically  By age group
X Other (Please explain) First come, first serve, with overflow area available where Mass can be watched on video and communion will be distributed.

How will attendance be monitored to ensure capacity levels are followed? Ushers will use a clicker to keep track of capacity and once capacity is met will direct to overflow area in gym.
C. Safety and Hygiene

Do you currently have enough cleaning supplies to clean common areas? YES If not what is the plan to obtain them? N/A

Plan for disinfecting common areas of Church taking into consideration the diocesan guidelines on disinfecting, (include what disinfectant is being used, if you have it or if it is on order etc., who is cleaning, how many are cleaning, and how much time is needed to do this etc.) Our custodian will clean the church and disinfect all seating areas and touchpoints before and after each Mass.  Cleaners used include bleach, Staphocet, and Eezy Germicidal cleaner.

Masks need to be provided for those that do not have them; who at your parish will help make the masks? Disposable masks have been ordered and will be available to distribute if someone arrives without one.  Masks are being pre-packaged to help minimize contact and maintain social distancing.

Will hand sanitizer be available? YES if yes where? At the entrance of the church, at each station where Communion is being distributed, in the sacristy, and in the sanctuary.
  
D. Social Distancing
How will you count people as they enter to make sure the limit is not reached?- Ushers will have a clicker to keep an accurate count.
Please include a map with pews showing how social distancing will be maintained in the pews. Please include a map with the plan for distribution of Holy Communion. How will seats be chosen and will the Parish make sure that people are distancing during seating (i.e. assigned seats, seated by ushers, etc.) _ How will six feet be designated in the communion lines (i.e. with tape, keeping a certain number of rows between communicants etc.) – Photos attached of the pews, and diagram for Communion.  Every other pew is roped off, and blue tape on pew indicates where people can sit and maintain the 6 foot social distancing requirement.  Ushers will allow one pew at a time to receive communion, and will ensure that social distancing is maintained at all times during the distribution of the Eucharist.

How will dismissal take place to ensure social distancing?- Ushers will dismiss each pew Wedding style.

What rearranging of the Sanctuary (e.g. presiders chair, Deacon chair, lector chair etc.) need to be done to allow for social distancing?- Priest and Deacon will be seated on either side of the altar approximately 20 feet apart.  Existing seating is being used to accomplish this.

Where will Parish Bulletins and other printed materials be located?- 50 bulletins will be available on a table after Mass for those who wish to take one.  The bulletins will be divided in to several stacks to limit personal contact in one area.

E. Dispensation:
How will the current dispensation be communicated to the faithful: Father Craig is sending a letter to all members of the parish.  Dispensation information will also be posted on the Parish web site and Facebook page.  Announcement will also be made at the beginning of each Mass.

How will you handle calls from any people with further concerns about attending Mass?- Those with health concerns will be encouraged and reassured that the obligation to attend Mass is suspended until September.  Those with other questions and concerns will be referred to the Bishop’s guidelines.

F. Celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist:
Where will contribution baskets be located and how will they be secure?- Two baskets will be located in the front pew near where Communion is being distributed at the front of the church and will be secured after Communion.

Indicate who will be distributing Communion at Masses and number of locations:   There will be two stations in the church, and the Deacon and one Eucharistic Minister will distribute at two locations approximately 25 feet apart.  A third Eucharistic Minister will distribute Communion in the overflow if necessary, with a second Eucharistic Minister available to assist in that area if the overflow area has more than 25 attendees.

How will opening and closing procession take place- Deacon and Priest will process from the sacristy behind the altar at the beginning of Mass and will process from the altar directly to the sacristy at the end of Mass.

How will the Liturgical Ministers be notified and trained on the new protocols?- Members of the Parish Preparation Team will contact Ministers to confirm that they are willing to serve and will explain the new guidelines for each of their respective ministries.  Guidelines attached.

How many ushers will you need and what are their responsibilities (i.e. counting members, seating people to maintain social distancing, guarding collection etc.)?- Two ushers for the church and a third usher assigned to the overflow area if needed.  They will count the attendees to ensure that we are not over capacity; check to be sure that each attendee has a mask and direct those without masks to where one can be obtained; assist with the distribution of Communion to ensure social distancing; and dismiss the attendees to ensure social distancing.

How will music be handled (who is playing/singing to how the faithful will be able to participate, what is needed [screen, handouts, etc.], how microphones and music equipment will be cleaned between Masses?)- There will be an accompanist and a Cantor at each Mass.  Area will be cleaned by custodian.  Music Director will select music that is well known among the congregation, so no printed music will be distributed.

G. Celebration of the Sacraments
When and how will baptisms be celebrated?- Baptisms will be celebrated after the 9AM mass when requested.  Masks will be required and social distancing in the pews and around the Baptismal font will be maintained.

How is the sacrament of Penance being celebrated at the parish?- The Parish Conference room is connected by door to the Pastor’s office.  A curtain has been hung up in the doorway, with Father in the office on one side of the curtain and the penitent in a chair on the other side of the curtain. 

Any specific arrangements that need to be accounted for at your parish for Weddings:   We have no weddings scheduled at this time.  If one is scheduled we will abide by the same guidelines for celebrating Mass and will make other provisions as necessary to ensure the health of the Bride, Groom, and all attendees.

Any specific arrangements that need to be accounted for at your parish for Funerals:- At this time we are only offering graveside services.

How are we going to reach out to parishioners during this time (i.e. what Parish communications will you utilize):- Letter from Pastor, Web page, Facebook page, announcements at Mass.

How are we going to bring sacraments to homebound parishioners during this time:- Father Gray will manage all requests for the Sacrament of the Sick; Deacon Snyder will manage requests for Communion to the homebound and will ensure that lay ministers receive proper instruction on safely distributing Communion during this time.
 
 
INSTRUCTIONS-LECTOR
The following information needs to be provided to all who are willing to serve as Lector during Mass.

1. Those who are 65 or older or have a serious underlying medical condition should be encouraged to stay home.
2. All persons who are agreeing to serve as Lector should indicate understanding that the obligation to attend Mass has been dispensed until September.
3. Do not come to church if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms.
   1. Fever over 100 degrees.
   2. Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.
   3. Chills or muscle pain.
   4. Sore throat.
   5. New loss of taste or smell.
4. Do not come to church if either of the following conditions are true for you.
   1. You have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for coronavirus within the past fourteen days.
   2. You have been in close contact with a person who has been tested for coronavirus and is awaiting test results.
5. A mask must be worn at all times except when proclaiming the readings.
   1. Mask should be removed at the ambo, and put back on at the ambo after the second reading.
6. Sanitize hands just prior to proclaiming the readings using the station near the ambo.

 
INSTRUCTIONS-EUCHARISTIC MINISTER (2 per Mass)
The following information needs to be provided to all who are willing to serve as Eucharistic Ministers during Mass.

7. Those who are 65 or older or have a serious underlying medical condition should be encouraged to stay home.
8. All persons who are agreeing to serve as Eucharistic Minister should indicate understanding that the obligation to attend Mass has been dispensed until September.
9. Do not come to church if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms.
   6. Fever over 100 degrees.
   7. Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.
   8. Chills or muscle pain.
   9. Sore throat.
   10. New loss of taste or smell.
10. Do not come to church if either of the following conditions are true for you.
    1. You have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for coronavirus within the past fourteen days.
    2. You have been in close contact with a person who has been tested for coronavirus and is awaiting test results.
11. A mask must be worn at all times.
12. After Father has given Communion to the Deacon, go to one of the sanitizing stations and sanitize hands. 
13. Come to the altar on the Ambo side and receive Communion from the Deacon.
14. Sanitize hands again after receiving Communion.
15. Receive the paten from the Deacon and proceed to one of the designated stations where Communion will be distributed.
    1. One EM will remain in the church, and one will proceed to the gym if necessary to distribute to those sitting in the overflow area.
16. Attempt to distribute Communion into the hand without touching your hand to the Communicants.
17. If either of the following occurs while distributing Communion, stop and sanitize hands before continuing.
    1. You distribute Communion on the tongue.
    2. Your hand has substantial contact with the hand of a person to whom you are distributing Communion.
18. Place the paten on the altar after you have finished distributing Communion and then sanitize your hands at the sanitizing station.

 
INSTRUCTIONS-USHER (3 per Mass)
The following information needs to be provided to all who are willing to serve as Ushers during Mass.

19. All persons who are agreeing to serve as Usher should indicate understanding that the obligation to attend Mass has been dispensed until September.
20. Those who are 65 or older or have a serious underlying medical condition should be encouraged to stay home.
21. Do not come to church if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms.
    11. Fever over 100 degrees.
    12. Cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.
    13. Chills or muscle pain.
    14. Sore throat.
    15. New loss of taste or smell.
22. Do not come to church if either of the following conditions are true for you.
    1. You have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for coronavirus within the past fourteen days.
    2. You have been in close contact with a person who has been tested for coronavirus and is awaiting test results.
23. A mask must be worn at all times.
24. Arrive at church at least 20 minutes before Mass is scheduled to begin.
25. Ensure that the main doors and the interior doors leading into the church are propped open.
26. Keep count of the number of people who enter and are seated in the church.
27. Ensure that all who enter are wearing masks, except those who are 2 years of age or younger and those having a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask.
    1. Direct those not wearing masks to where the masks we are providing are located.
    2. Those who medically cannot wear a mask may sit in the vestibule, and should be informed that Communion will be distributed to them after Mass.
28. Assist those who are coming to Mass with finding seating and ensure that they are observing social distancing in the pew.
29.   Once capacity has been reached, direct additional attendees to the gym.
    1. If there is overflow, one usher should be assigned to the gym for the entire Liturgy.
30. Come forward to receive Communion when the Eucharistic Ministers come to the altar.
31. After receiving the Eucharist, release one pew at a time to receive Communion. 
    1. Ensure that those in line observe social distancing.
32. Ensure that bulletins are placed on table in the vestibule before Mass ends.
    1. Bulletins should be in two stacks to decrease contact and maintain social distancing.
33. After Mass has ended dismiss attendees one pew at a time per section.
    1. Pews near Mary and Joseph statue should be instructed to leave by the aisle nearest the statues.
    2. Next set of pews should be instructed to leave by center aisle.
    3. Next set of pews should be instructed to leave by aisle between the pews.
34. Close and lock exterior doors of the church.