Following the latest instructions and guidance from Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, and in response to your inputs and recommendations, we at Saint Raymond’s will resume with indoor public Masses starting February 17, Ash Wednesday!
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
We realize that the pandemic has indeed presented us with new realities we must face, part of which is the need to take care of ourselves and the health of others. If you are sick, or have member(s) of the same household who may be sick, please stay home. The dispensation from the Diocese on attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion is still in effect.
ACCESS TO MAIN CHURCH
As of the moment, we will keep our secondary altar set-up in the vestibule for our continued outdoor Masses scheduled every Saturday at 5PM. The only access to the main Church will be from the side of the Chapel, and not through the front doors.
FRONT DOORS WILL REMAIN OPEN
On days that we have the indoor Masses, the main sanctuary altar inside the Church will be used (and not the secondary altar in the vestibule), but the front doors will be kept open so people can see the inside of the Church from where they are seated at the plaza.
LIVESTREAMING OF THE MASSES
Masses will continue to be livestreamed and/or available on-demand on the day they are celebrated on our official YouTube channel (link). They are also broadcasted on 87.9 FM for who are those within the campus.
WORSHIP AIDS
Worship Aids are available on our website and our official YouTube channel. We suggest you take time to download this prior to Mass if you desire to follow along the prayers and music. However, currently, we discourage congregational singing, and will greatly appreciate your cooperation to keep our worship spaces safer.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND WEARING OF MASKS
At all times, we request everyone to observe physical distancing of 6 feet if not from the same household, and wearing of masks except to consume the Eucharist after responding to the invocation of the clergy or minister of communion “the Body of Christ”.
DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
For the distribution of Holy Communion, those inside the Church will receive communion at the usual time, to be served by the clergy (or assigned ministers) where communicants are seated. For those seated at the plaza for the Masses, you are requested to form two lines – one in front of Moran Hall, and the other on the side of Our Lady’s Grotto – and will receive communion in the main vestibule at Church. Ministers of Holy Communion sanitize their hands before and after distribution, even in between as needed. Kindly sanitize your hands as well before coming up to receive Holy Communion.
IMPOSITION OF ASHES (on Ash Wednesday ONLY)
This year, instead of using bare thumbs to impose the ashes on your foreheads, the clergy will be using moisten q-tips which will be discarded after each use on individual person.
Within Mass, the imposition of ashes will follow the homily; after Mass, ashes will be imposed at a dedicated line in front of the Moral Hall.
The line for the imposition will follow the same pattern/procedure as lining up for Holy Communion whether indoor or outdoor.
COMMUNION AFTER MASS
For those participating the Masses at home via livestreaming, communion will be distributed up to 15 minutes after each Mass – lining up the same way as they would for outdoor Masses, and sanitizing their hands before entering the main vestibule at Church.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Expect that in the coming days, we will again schedule trainings of ministers and volunteers who will be involved in both the indoor and outdoor Masses. We are in need of ushers, lectors, communion ministers to facilitate safe, dignified and reverent celebration of our liturgies. Please reach out to either Father Erick, Father Mark, Deacon Rob or Abraham for more information.
CONFESSIONS
Line starts by the front doors. Penitents are ushered to designated indoor stations one at a time. You may also schedule an appointment by calling or sending an email at info@srcdublin.org.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK / HOMEBOUND VISIT BY THE PRIEST
Call or email the Office at info@srcdublin.org to schedule a visit.
ONGOING CONSIDERATIONS AND PREPARATIONS
We commit to make sure that our indoor worship space is always conducive to a safe, orderly and reverent celebration of in-person services planned for this month and beyond. These considerations and the window we allot from today until we re-open for indoor services on February 17 will hopefully enable all of us to be more equipped and prepared.
Once again, thank you for your patience, understanding and support as we navigate through these changes. Your feedback and cooperation help us make decisions responsive to the challenges and needs presented before us as a faith community.
Peace and blessings,
Father Erick