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News and UpdatesNovember 28, 2020
Dear Parish Family,
This weekend we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent. You know what that means: Christmas is right around the corner. The celebration of Christmas during an international health crisis presents a real challenge to churches, especially considering the large number of people who typically come out for Mass on this great solemnity of the birth of our Savior. Here at Sacred Heart, I have met with the reopening task force that I formed back in June to plan the best way to accommodate the maximum number of people, while keeping everyone as safe as possible. Here is what you need to know about the plan we have put in place:
- Seating at all Christmas Masses will be allotted by reservation. No more than 150 seats will be available at every Mass, and no one will be permitted to enter the church without a reservation. Attendees will be strictly seated according to a seating chart that will be created to ensure both the maximum use of space in the church and the six-foot separation of all those who do not live together. Reservations will take place online through a link that will be posted on the homepage of our parish website. Reservations will open at noon on Monday, December 7th, and will close at noon on Friday, December 18th. One person may register his or her entire family; it is not necessary for each individual to register separately. In the interest of keeping families together, there will be no limit on the number of spaces you can reserve. However, you will be prompted to give the name of each person you are reserving a seat for at registration, and I ask you please not to reserve any more seats than you truly need. Anyone reserving more than eight seats will receive a phone call to verify that they will indeed be using each spot they requested. Those who do not feel comfortable using a computer may reserve their seats in person at the parish office, or by calling the parish secretary. No reservations received by voicemail or e-mail will be honored.
- Given the limited seating capacity created by the need to socially distance, one Mass will be added to our already heavy Christmas Mass schedule. Thus, our Mass schedule will be as follows: Christmas Eve: 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm, 9:45pm (Spanish) and midnight. Christmas Day: 8am, 10am, and noon. That is a total of nine Masses. I wish I could add more, but we are only two priests, and there are only so many Masses we can say in one day.
- Those who do not feel comfortable coming to Mass because of the risk of contracting COVID-19 are reminded that they are dispensed from the obligation to attend. For all of those to whom this applies, Mass can be viewed on our parish Facebook page and on YouTube. The 4pm vigil Mass, the Midnight Mass, and the 10am Christmas Day Mass will all be livestreamed and will continue to be available afterwards for those who wish to watch at different times. All Masses will also be broadcast via radio at 88.5 FM. The radio signal will reach anyone tuning in from church grounds, but no further. Those who wish to listen to Mass from their cars and come in for Communion are welcome to do so.
I look forward to celebrating the birth of the Word made flesh with all of you this year in a way that is both solemn and safe. I thank you in advance for your cooperation with all the protocols put in place to ensure that happens. I wish you and your family a blessed Advent!
In Christ,
Fr. David
June, 2020
Mass is back on at the normal times! Seating is limited to 25% capacity, so get there early. Please wear a mask at all times and follow all instructions. Welcome back!
For the time being, Cardinal Dolan has dispensed all Catholics from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Those who do not yet feel comfortable attending can still watch our 10:00 Mass through live-streaming. Visit our parish Facebook page or watch it on YouTube here.