Immaculate Heart of Mary

 Immaculate Heart of Mary, Return To Mass Plan and Protocols:

Fellow Parishioners,

Bishop Zurek and the Amarillo Diocese have given permission for Parishes in most of the counties of the Diocesan area to begin celebrating Mass Tuesday, May 19. However, there are extensive protocols that the Diocese has mandated and we may not step outside of these new boundaries until they are lifted. Because of the preparation we must accomplish prior to the first Mass, Father Raj and the Parish Council have made the decision to push the beginning of public Masses to Tuesday, May 26 at 6:00 p.m. with the first weekend masses to be held May 30 and 31 for the feast of Pentacost.
Please note new Mass times for daily Mass. Weekend Mass times will remain the same.
Monday: Father Raj will take a day off on Mondays.

Tuesday: 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m.
 
I would ask that everyone read the following protocols very carefully as they may be confusing for the first couple of weeks. But we will do our best to minimize the inconveniences.
 

• First and Foremost, the dispensation for the Sunday obligation has not been lifted. This means you are not required to attend Mass at this time. If you are sick, we ask that you stay home out of charity for your fellow parishioners. If you are not comfortable with these protocols, we ask that you refrain from attending.
• The elderly and vulnerable among us are recommended to attend one of the weekday Masses and are discouraged from attending weekend Masses due to the number of people attending.
• You are discouraged from bringing children under 7 years old. Should you choose to bring them they must follow all protocols laid out here to include: no bathrooms and face masks at all times, etc.
• Everyone that attends must wear a mask from the time they enter the building until the time they leave.
  • Masks may be removed while receiving the host and then must be put on.
• Masks will not be provided by the parish.
• Anyone who arrives without a mask will be asked to refrain from entering until they return with a mask.
• Ushers will be stationed at each entrance and the faithful are asked to follow any instructions they may provide.
• At the end of Mass, everyone will be asked to wipe down their pew areas with alcohol wipes that will be provided in each pew.
• The entrances will be propped open until Mass begins and will be closed by an usher.
• Before Mass, the entrances will be “One Way” and we ask that no one try to go out during that time. The same will apply after Mass with the doors being exit only.
• All bathrooms and water fountains will be closed and off limits. Please plan accordingly.
• Missalettes will be available at the entrance until they are gone. We ask that when you take one, keep it and take it with you. You may bring it back each time you attend Mass, but you must also take it home again. Please do not leave anything in the pew.
• Once in the Church, you are asked to stay in until Mass is complete. There should be no going in and out.
• There will be nothing passed. For the offertory, collection baskets will be available at each entrance to allow people to drop their donations. You may choose to continue to mail your tithe to parish PO Box or through the Diocese giving platform.
• Every other pew will be cordoned off to maintain social distancing. Members of the same household may share pews with no regard for distance but should maintain distance from others.
• If possible, those that are single or even couples would be helpful if they could sit in outside pews as they are smaller. It would be helpful if we could save the larger pews for bigger families. However, pew availability will be on a first come, first serve basis. The balcony will be open with the same requirements.
• Communion service will be altered to allow for proper social distancing. More detailed protocols for that will be provided at Mass, but a few things to note.
  • No gloves are to be worn while receiving the host
  • Only the Host will be offered at communion, only the presiding priest will receive the Precious Blood.
  • Everyone must hold their hands flat and allow the minister to put the Host into their hands. Please do not grab the Host or touch the minister.
  • The priest will announce the “Body of Christ” from the altar and the faithful will respond “Amen” from their pew, signifying that they acknowledge the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This will keep the minister from having to speak when in close range of the faithful.
  • The Extraordinary Communion Ministers must wear masks and will remain on the floor (Do not go up the steps behind the Altar)
• There will be no procession at the beginning of Mass.
• There will be no procession, nor greeting with the priest after Mass. Parishioners are asked to not congregate outside after Mass
• There will be no altar servers for the time being. Father will handle those tasks for himself.
• The cantor will not be required to wear a mask, and while reading the Lector will be able to remove their mask.

As we see what works and what does not, we may need to altar these protocols and the message will be communicated through our electronic platforms. It would be helpful if everyone would sign up for Flocknote so that you will receive all the information regarding changes to this list. You can sign up on this website (just look to the right column just under Mass times) or just call me and I will walk you through it. It only takes about 30 seconds to get signed up.

Thank you for your patience with this new way of serving our Lord.

Jason Eugea
Parish Council Chair
806-335-6805
kcfanug@gmail.com