PASTOR'S UPDATE
Updated: October 11, 2020
Check he weekly Parish Life Update
This is temporarily taking the place
of the Sunday Bulletin.
Parish Office Church Hours Holy Mass
Confessions Pastoral Care Giving
IMPLEMENTING
AOB PHASE 2
Archdiocese of Baltimore (AOB) Phase 2 began on Saturday, May 30, 2020.
REMAIN STEADFAST IN FAITH
Our Lenten theme is, “Steadfast: Growing as a Resolute Christian.” Let us pray for each other as we continue to be steadfast, growing as resolute Christians. We trust in God's steadfast love and mercy during every circumstance.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
To follow Archdiocese of Baltimore directives to comply with the Governor's Executive Orders. Our nation is attempting to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We want lessen human suffering and the burden on the health care system.
I. PARISH OFFICE
The Parish Office is open the the public from Monday to Friday (9 AM - 5 PM). You must wear a mask to enter the Parish Office, per the State of Maryland and the Archdiocese of Baltimore. So that the Parish Secretary may serve others who also need assistance, please be considerate of the time.
MASS INTENTIONS
The Parish Office is receiving Mass intention requests. You can visit the Office or make your request via mail or email. Suggested donation is $10. At this time, we will assign the intention to the next available date. We are not able to accommodate specific date requests.
APPOINTMENTS WITH PASTOR
Call Father Harris (410-922-3800, ext. 6) or you can send an email (rharris@archbalt.org) to arrange to meet over the phone. Confession cannot be heard via telephone or via video conference.
II. CHURCH BUILDING OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
Tuesday 9 AM - 10 AM
Thursday 9 AM - 10 AM
Saturday 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
The parish needs volunteers who will serve as monitors for one or two hours. Please let Father Harris know If you are willing to serve (rharris@archbalt.org).
The Archdiocese of Baltimore requires a staff member or a volunteer to be on site to ensure compliance with the following regulations.
1. The Archdiocese strongly recommends those with pre-existing conditions and/or those who are age 60+ to avoid putting themselves at risk by coming to liturgies.
2. You must take your temperature at home before you leave. If you have a fever, or are sick, or suspect that you may have (or was exposed to) a contagious illness, please stay home and take care of yourself. If you are awaiting test results for COVID-19 or any contagious illness, you may not come to the parish campus, whether or not you have symptoms.
3. Only 100 persons can be in the church building (i.e., nave and narthex) at one time.
4. Persons aged 2 and older must wear a mask. If you bring a child with you, they must remain in one place.
5. You must sit in one of the designated pews and at least six feet away from another person, unless you are with someone who lives with you. For sanitary reasons, a person may not kneel or lay prostrate on the carpet or in the sanctuary.
6. After you have concluded your time with the Lord, the volunteer must sanitize where you sat or knelt and whatever else you have touched.
III. HOLY MASS
We need volunteers to sere as ushers and cleaning crew members.
Ushers guide people to enter, find seating, during the Communion Procession, and to depart. Offertory will be received in containers on a table after Holy Mass. You won't touch anyone or anything except opening the doors for Holy Mass. Can you help? Email Father Harris.
Cleaning Crew members will clean the church after Holy Mass. You would use sanitizing wipes on pews where people sat, sanctuary railing, sanctuary chairs, the top of the Ambo (pulpit), door knobs, and the restrooms (sink, toilet, door knob). We will provide the gloves and sanitizing wipes. You supply the mask. We don't envision it taking longer than 30 minutes. Can you help? Email the Parish Office.
The live-stream is on Facebook here.
You do not need a Facebook account to view it.
The Lord's Day
Saturday Holy Mass 4 PM
Sunday Holy Mass 7:30 AM 11 AM
Monday - Saturday
Rosary 8 AM
Holy Mass 8:30 AM
PUBLIC WEEKDAY WORSHIP
Monday - Friday
Rosary at 8 AM
Holy Mass at 8:30 AM
You must follow the instructions for Sunday Holy Mass
except that reservations are not need (but only 100 may attend)
and to follow the volunteers' directions about the seating arrangements.
PUBLIC SUNDAY HOLY MASS
Saturday at 4 PM
Sunday at 7:30 AM & 11 AM
Only 100 people per Holy Mass.
NEW "First Come, First Seated"
Father Harris is suspending the reservation system for Holy Mass on The Lord’s Day. Beginning October 24 & 25, worshippers will be seated on a “first come, first seated” basis. Per Archdiocesan directive, church seating capacity is limited to 30% per Holy Mass. With social distancing and including the ministers of the liturgy, there are now 100 seats available per Holy Mass. Please follow the direction of the ushers to be seated in the section for households or individuals.
-- Saturday at 4 PM: As usual, the doors will be open for private prayer (2:30 – 4 PM) and Confessions (2:45 – 3:45 PM). Please follow the direction of the ushers to be seated in the section for households or individuals.
-- Sunday at 7:30 AM & 11 AM: As usual, the doors will open 30 minutes before Holy Mass begins. If necessary, please form a line and observe social distancing even outdoors. Please follow the direction of the ushers to be seated in the section for households or individuals.
Why not the full Sunday schedule (7:30 AM, 10:30 AM, & Noon)?
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The schedule was created due to volunteer availability.
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11 AM was chosen to combine the 10:30 AM & Noon at this stage.
What is the musical format for the Sunday Holy Mass?
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7:30 AM will remain spoken.
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11 AM will have music but no congregational singing per Archdiocesan directive and the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It will be mostly instrumentation with a few selections offered by the Cantor. The Gloria, Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, the Eucharistic Acclamations, etc. will be spoken.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTENDING
PUBLIC HOLY MASS
1. The Sunday Mass Obligation continues to be suspended. The Archdiocese strongly recommends those with pre-existing conditions and/or those who are age 60+ to avoid putting themselves at risk by coming to liturgies.
2. Check your health condition. You must take your temperature at home before you leave. If you have a fever, or are sick, or suspect that you may have (or was exposed to) a contagious illness, please stay home and take care of yourself. If you are awaiting test results for COVID-19 or any contagious illness, you may not come to the parish campus, whether or not you have symptoms.
3. Children must observe social distance norms. If you bring children, they must be able to stay in one place. Otherwise, for the sake of their health and the health of others, they should not come to Holy Mass. For social distance reasons, the multipurpose room is not available.
4. Only 1/3 capacity. For religious gatherings, Governor Hogan set the maximum at 1/2 capacity with social distancing norms followed. Archbishop Lori has set the maximum in Catholic churches at 1/3 capacity with the same conditions. At Holy Family Church, this means about 100 persons. We will explore whether we should also have one Sunday Holy Mass in the Hall.
5. Wearing a mask is required for persons aged 2 and older.
6. Greeting others: While we will be happy to see others, greet them with words and a wave. Please do not congregate, hug, kiss, shake hands, etc.
7. Restroom protocol: You must follow the provided instructions to clean the area after use.
8. Seating protocol for Sunday Holy Mass: You must sit in the designated pews. Persons who live in the same residence can sit together. Otherwise, you must sit six feet away from the nearest person. The church multipurpose room is not available.
Seating protocol for Weekday Holy Mass: You must follow the direction of our volunteers. enter the church nave by way of the double door nera the center aisle. Individuals sit on the left of the center aisle. Households sit on the right of the center aisle.
9. Offertory Collection is at the end of Sunday Holy Mass. Your monetary gifts will be placed in designated buckets after Holy Mass as you leave the building.
10. Our Father: Please do not hold hands with others while we pray The Lord’s Prayer.
11. Sign of Peace: It is omitted.
12. Communion Procession: Follow the priest’s instruction. No one may remain in the pew. Those who are not receiving Holy Communion will receive a blessing.
Volunteers needed: We need men and women age 18+ to serve as ushers and on the cleaning crew. You must bring your mask. We will provide the other material. We will provide training.
We look forward to the day in which these precautions will not be necessary.
Sunday Holy Mass: reserve a seat.
IV. CONFESSIONS
Saturday 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Other times will be announced soon.
The parish needs volunteers who will serve as monitors to ensure compliance with directives and to sanitize areas. Please let Father Harris know If you are willing to serve (rharris@archbalt.org).
1, The Archdiocese strongly recommends those with pre-existing conditions and/or those who are age 60+ to avoid putting themselves at risk by coming to liturgies.
2. You must take your temperature at home before you leave. If you have a fever, or are sick, or suspect that you may have (or was exposed to) a contagious illness, please stay home and take care of yourself. If you are awaiting test results for COVID-19 or any contagious illness, you may not come to the parish campus, whether or not you have symptoms.
3. Only 100 persons can be in the church building (i.e., nave and narthex) at one time.
4. Persons aged 2 and older must wear a mask. If you bring a child with you, they must remain in one place.
5. Confessions will be heard in the sacristy and outside. Signs will direct you to the sacristy and where to stand in line, keeping six feet away from the next person in line.
6. Please keep your confessions to the point. The priest may have a pre-existing medical condition. If you desire further conversation, please arrange to speak with he priest over the telephone or via video conference. We are here to serve you.
7. If you sit or kneel in one the designated pews, the volunteer must sanitize where you sat or knelt and whatever else you have touched. For sanitary reasons, a person may not kneel or lay prostrate on the carpet or in the sanctuary
8. If you use the restroom, you must follow the provided instructions to clean the area after use.
Learn what the Church teaches about making an Act of Perfect Contrition when sacramental confession is not available here.
V. PASTORAL CARE
APPOINTMENTS WITH PASTOR
Call Father Harris (410-922-3800, ext. 6) or send an email (rharris@archbalt.org). Usually your issue can be handled by phone or email. This include counseling via telephone. Confessions cannot be heard via telephone or via video conference.
PASTORAL EMERGENCIES
Per Archdiocese of Baltimore directives, anointings by priests not serving as hospital chaplains are only to be offered in cases where the individual is actively dying.
BAPTISMS
Baptisms may be scheduled. Only 100 persons can be in the church, which includes the priest or deacon. Persons ages 2+ must wear a mask and follow the protocols given by the priest or deacon. These protocols will be provided in writing to the parent(s) and summarized before the ritual begins.
Parents can participate in a Baptismal Preparation Conference: if this is your first child t be baptized. Contact Mrs. JoAnn Harvan-Chin (joann.harvan@archbalt.org or 410-922-3800, ext. 5).
FUNERALS
Funeral liturgies (whether a Holy Mass or outside of a Holy Mass) are permitted in the church. Only 100 persons may be present, which includes the priest, any assisting ministers, and funeral home staff. Due to the risks involved for the clergy and the family, the Archdiocese has prohibited physical greetings by the clergy. To avoid further risk of contagion, there will be no singing. Other protocols of Holy Mass (see below) must be followed.
VISITING HOMES
Per Archdiocese of Baltimore directives, we cannot visit homes is limited. This is to protect the homebound. Some of us may be carrying a virus even if we do not have symptoms.
HOSPITAL VISITS
Per Archdiocese of Baltimore directives, the priests cannot visit the hospital unless there is a person actively dying and the hospital allows us to visit.
BOOK OF INTENTIONS
You can add your prayer request to the Book of Intentions in the narthex. Learn about it here.