Here is a summary of the rules, requirements and restrictions under which we are operating:
Bishop Libasci has provided certain guidelines for us to reopen Masses to the public. By the grace of God and the excellent efforts of Father Liebert, Father van Zee and our staff, we were able to open our Masses to the public on Friday, June 5 and the Sunday Masses on June 7. Please keep in mind that this is an interim plan for a gradual return to full service. Many aspects of the parish, the Church and the Masses will not be "as we know and love" just yet. We felt it is better to open the Masses to you now even with the restrictions rather than wait for some future possible day when everything is "as you remember." First, the differences you will notice based on the requirements and restrictions of the Bishop:
General guidelines
• Certain people should not attend Mass including those with particular symptoms, certain travelers and certain of those who have been in close contact with COVID-19 patients. Please see details on the poster below. The livestream will continue 24/7 for the immediate future.
• Social distancing is required with 40% occupancy maximum. Therefore, we have calculated that we will meet the requirements with a maximum of 160 people in the Church. In the Church, members of the same household may sit together but everyone else is to maintain a 6 foot distance from others in the pews, in the aisles, at the Communion rail, etc. Every other pew has been blocked off to help with this separation. Please note that the City of Nashua has a face mask order in effect: www.nashuanh.gov
• All touched surfaces will be disinfected by volunteers after each Mass including pews, kneelers, door handles and other high touch areas. When you leave Mass, please leave your kneeler down to indicate to the volunteers which need to be disinfected. As much as possible, doors will be propped open.
• All hymnals have been covered and envelopes and other papers have been removed from the Church. The congregation is asked by the bishop not to sing during this time due to the increased possibility of contamination. Ushers are also asked to wear gloves when handing the collection.
• There is overflow seating in the Church basement with the livestream. You could come in to the Church to receive Holy Communion and go back to the basement in this case. The dispensation from attending Sunday and Holyday Mass remains in effect from Bishop Libasci for now.
• You are kindly asked not to congregate after Mass in the Church basement or parking lot especially on Sundays because of the next scheduled Mass. Feel free to make a good thanksgiving in Church but then kindly leave to allow others arriving enough time to find a parking spot and enter the Church to prepare for Mass.
Specific Mass and Schedule Plan
• Weekday Mass will remain at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and also 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday.
• Sunday Mass schedule:
7 a.m. Low Mass
9 a.m. High Mass**
11 a.m. High Mass**
** We have received permission from the Diocese to use the minimum number of servers necessary for Mass. We will not be able to use torchbearers for now. We are only permitted to have 2 total musicians per Mass at this time.
• Schedule of confessions:
o Monday through Saturday, 7:25 a.m. until 7:55 a.m.
o Tuesday 12 Noon until 12:30 p.m.
o Thursday 5:30 until 6 p.m.
o Saturday 4 until 5 p.m. in the Church confessional and rectory front door (when 2 priests are available)
o Sunday: confessions will be heard before each Mass but only for those attending the Mass immediately following. Confessions will end 10 minutes before Mass begins
Feel free to bring objects needing blessings throughout the week after Mass to the Communion rail and to the parish office at other times. The priests are happy to bless objects whenever we are available. A call ahead to the parish office would be helpful to be sure someone is available.
Please remember, this is a temporary plan for a gradual return to full opening. We will continue to update this website as information changes. This is uncharted territory for all of us, so thank you in advance for your patience, understanding, charity and flexibility during this time.
