May 11, 2020
 
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I write to announce to you that our churches, Holy Trinity and St. John’s will be reopening for the public celebration of Masses following the Archbishop’s directives for limited reopening of parishes. The date for the reopening of our parish is this Saturday, May 8, 2020. I have missed all of you and I am happy that this will provide us, especially those who are able to, the opportunity to come back together again as one parish family to celebrate our wonderful faith in Jesus Christ at Mass.

I urge you to remember that as Catholics (followers of Jesus Christ), the most important thing for us now more than ever is to be that voice of peace and unity that the world needs. There is a reason why God created you and put you in the world today. Jesus needs you to be the light, peace and unity now. When things are not as perfect as we want them to be, it is a time for us to show our Christian heart, sacrifice and live out that gospel value of “dying to self in order to give life to another.”

From the date of our reopening, we will start celebrating weekend and weekday Masses to a maximum allowed by the state of 25 total people per gathering. This reopening pertains to Masses and Eucharistic Adoration only and does not mean an immediate return to our practices prior to suspension of public Masses. To reopen effectively, we have put in place plans and safety measures so that our churches are always ready for Eucharistic celebration. I urge your patience, understanding, support and cooperation as we role thing out.

Part of pastoral care is the safety and well-being of the people of God. Thus, the dispensation for all the faithful from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation remains in place so no one is required or expected to attend Mass on the weekends with this reopening. Every parishioner will have an expanded opportunity to attend Mass during the weekdays if they choose to. If you feel v ulnerable, at-risk, or otherwise concerned, I ask that you please remain at home.

Due to the limited number of people allowed for each gathering, some of our Mass times will change so that our brothers and sisters who work will have the same opportunity to attend Mass on a weekday or weekend. I have also added one more Saturday Vigil Mass at Holy Trinity so that all our parishioners will have more opportunities to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist. All weekday and weekend Masses will be in the church to allow room for proper social distancing.
 

New Mass Schedule

Below are the detailed pastoral guidelines for limited reopening of our parish. I am looking forward to seeing you in person again and celebrating the Eucharist with you.

Let us continue to keep each close in prayer.

God bless you,
Fr. Anthony Ahamefule
Parish Priest


Pastoral Guidelines for a Limited Reopening of our Parish

1. Mass attendance will be limited to a maximum of 30 total people per gathering. This includes the priest, other ministers (altar servers, lectors, sacristans), cantors, livestream videographer and anyone present. Thus, we will use a sign-up system for Mass attendance. This system helps the Outreach team to organize better and give as many people as possible the opportunity to attend Mass.

Sign-Up System:
In keeping with the government gathering restriction  and in order that everyone in our parish has equal opportunity to attend Mass, we will use a sign-up system for Mass attendance by a phone call only sign-up method. If you plan to attend any Mass, please sign up. Only those who have signed up in the parish will be admitted. I ask that you sign-up at only one parish. No one who simply shows up for a Mass will be allowed entrance. There will be NO Exceptions. Here is how to sign up:

• An Outreach Minister from the parish will call you each week to:
• Remind you of Mass times for the following week.
• Ask you to choose which Mass you and your family prefer to attend.
• Ask you the number of people from your family that will be attending your preferred Mass.
• If your preferred Mass has reached the maximum number allowed, you will have other Mass options to choose from.
• To ensure fairness, your preferred Mass may not be available to you each week.
• The minister will ask for the first and last name of each person who wishes to attend Mass, along with the best contact info for them.
• Since the Sunday Mass obligation remains lifted, Mass attendance on Sundays is not required. Weekday Masses provide more opportunity for you to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion each week.
• If you plan to attend Mass the coming weekend or weekday and have not received a phone call to sign up by Thursday each week, please call the Parish Office (541-329-0697), and we will sign you up for a Mass.

2. When entering the church, please use only the main entrance. This enables the greeter to manage the numbers of people coming in.
3. At the end of Mass, all exits can be used to expedite departure and minimize chances of people encountering one another. In all cases, social distancing must be observed.
4. Hand sanitizers will be placed at all entrances of the church. Anyone entering the church must sanitize their hands.
5. Social distancing must be practiced at all times during Mass (minimum of six feet apart except members of the same household).
6. Designated spots in the pews will be clearly marked as places people can sit in order to maintain the appropriate physical distancing.
7. A general dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation remains in place, so no one is required or expected to attend Mass on the weekends with this reopening.
8. Anyone attending Mass does so at their own risk. Vulnerable, at-risk, and otherwise concerned persons should remain at home.
9. Anyone who has even the slightest symptoms or feelings of sickness must remain home.
10. Eucharistic Adoration will resume on Thursdays 12:30 – 8:00 pm and Fridays 9:30 am – 12:00 pm in the church. A sign-up book is at the back of the church. Please sign up to spend time in prayer with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
11. Social gatherings before or after Mass (including coffee & donuts, Wednesday Night Dinners), will not take place. Providing access to the celebration of Holy Mass and reception of Holy Communion during Mass is the purpose for reopening Masses.
12. Livestreaming of Masses will continue so that our parishioners who are unable to join us in person can still participate virtually.
13. Use of face masks/coverings is required. Please bring your own.

1. No distribution of the Precious Blood
2. No holy water in fonts
3. No presentation of the gifts from the back.
4. Collection baskets will be placed near the entrance
5. Communion: For the reception of Holy Communion
   • We will use a single line format for the reception of Holy Communion.
   • Tape markings, with six feet apart from each other, are placed on the central isle floor as a guide to maintain the appropriate social distancing.
   • Holy Communion will be distributed by hand in the normal fashion.
   • The priest will wear face mask during the distribution of Holy Communion.
6. Collection:
   Collection baskets will be placed near the entrances of the church. Please place your donation in the basket if you give by check. I ask you to also consider:

• Go to https://www.holytrinitybandon.org/donate using any device
• Choose Recurring or One-time donation.
• Select your preferred form of payment (electronic check or debit/credit card).
• Enter your information
• Submit your donation.

Cleaning and Sanitizing
Pews and other common use areas, including restrooms, will be cleaned and sanitized immediately after each Mass.
 
These guidelines pertain to all Masses, including funerals, weddings, Baptisms, etc.