St. James Parish

May 18, 2020
 
To all St. James Parishioners,
 
The following are the guidelines as we reopen to public Mass and worship: (excerpts from Bishop Malloy’s letter date May 15, 2020).

1. General Information
   1. Monday, May 25, 2020 Masses may resume for 10 people only excluding the priest and ministers.
   2. The obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days will continue to be suspended until further notice.
   3. Persons 65 years and older are encouraged to stay at home for the time being.
   4. Anyone with a cough of any sort, and anyone feeling sick should not come to church for any reason.

2. Before, During and After Mass
   1. Persons entering and exiting the Church should use hand sanitizer.
   2. A sign in sheet will be available at the entrance and you are asked to write down your name and phone number upon entering.
   3. There will be one entrance door (the ramp door) and you need to exit through the vestibule doors maintaining 6 feet social distancing.
   4. People attending Mass must wear a mask at all times except when receiving Holy Communion.
   5. There must be 6 feet spacing in the pews between non family members. These spots will be marked on the pews along with which pews are available for seating.
   6.  There will be no Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers or Greeters at the present time. There will also be no choir. We may have a cantor and organist only.
   7. There will be an offertory collection basket placed where you enter church as there will be no collection during Mass.
   8. There will also be no Sign of Peace, no holding hands during the Our Father, no processional or recessional and no hymnals or prayer cards allowed in the pews.
   9. You are not required to receive Holy Communion but if you would like to you can only receive by hand without wearing any gloves. No Precious Blood will be offered to be received at Mass.
   10. At present time there will be no coffee and donuts or Children’s Liturgy.
   11. Bulletins will not be distributed but you may pick one as you leave Mass.
   12. No greetings or gatherings before or after Mass.

3. Other Sacraments
   1. Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals may be celebrated with 10 people.
   2. Confessions will be by appointment only. Please call the office to schedule.
   3. Anointing of the Sick will be available. Please contact the office.

4. Additional Information
   1. Weekend Masses need to be scheduled to be able to accommodate the 10 person limit at a Mass. If you would like to be on the list to be scheduled to attend Mass, please call or email the parish office with your preferred Mass time (Saturday 4PM, Sunday 8:30AM or 11:15 AM) the number of family members who will be attending with you, and the best way to contact you. We will be creating a spreadsheet that will allow us to schedule in advance and notify you which weekend Mass that you will be able to attend.
   2. Weekdays will not be scheduled at this time unless we begin to have more than 10 people at a Mass.
   3. We will remain with limited office hours through May 31^st and will continue to check emails and answering service messages periodically throughout the day. Beginning June 1, 2020 our parish office will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
   4. We are in need of some volunteers in order to be in compliance with the mandates open for public Mass on May 25, 2020. We need volunteers to clean after each Mass and to monitor the door during each Mass. Please contact the parish office if you are able to help.
   5. Our parish office contact information is phone number - 815-962-1214 and email address - parishoffice@stjamesrockford.org.
   6. All of the above information is subject to change as the guidelines for Covid-19 continue to evolve. We will continue to keep you informed with any changes.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.
St. James Staff

  For your convenience the Diocese has created an online giving site for St. James Parish. To donate to St. James online go to https://www.rockforddiocese.org/parish-support/. You can make a Quick Gift and select St. James Rockford. We very much appreciate your con'nued support of St. James Parish. 

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