Saint John Newman Parish

Gradual Resumption of Publicly Celebrated Holy Mass

Dear Saint Joan of Arc Family and Friends,

The Archdiocese of Chicago early Monday announced the gradual resumption of publicly celebrated Holy Mass to begin this coming Sunday, June 7, 2020 – The Feast of the Most Blessed Trinity.

We will offer Mass in the Church this coming Sunday at 10:30 a.m. If you would like to come to Mass you need to sign-up on our parish website. If you do not have computer access you can call the Rectory Office to reserve a seat for this Sunday.

Book Your Seat in Church Here

This Sunday we can only allow 15% of seating capacity (50 seats). The following Sunday we can allow up to 75 people to attend Mass and the last Sunday of June we can allow 25% seating capacity (90 people). This gradual increase allows both volunteers and worshippers to become familiar with the safety guidelines.

Daily Mass at the Church resumes the following week on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. Mass will be offered Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. (Please note that for the time being there will be no Thursday Communion Service).

In anticipation of resuming Mass at Saint Joan of Arc – the following is a summary of the guidelines which have been approved by the Cardinal Archbishop and the bishops of Illinois in agreement with the Governor and state health officials. It is my hope that all who worship with us will feel safe and protected during the summer months.

  1. First and foremost, the obligation to attend Mass remains suspended indefinitely for everyone. Each and every person is therefore free to decide what is best and safest for you and your family. All children under the age of 14 should attend with an adult to ensure their own comfort.
  2. If you are sick, if you have been in contact with some who is sick or has / had Covid -19 or has tested positive, PLEASE JOIN US FOR ON-LINE MASS at our YouTube Channel.
  3. Worshippers will be required to use one entrance and a different exit – signage provided.
  4. You are required to wear a face mask when entering the Church and during the entire Mass – you remove the mask immediately before placing the consecrated host on your tongue.
  5. You must use hand sanitizer – *When you enter Church, *Immediately before receiving Holy communion (usher/greeter will offer it to you before you receive the consecrated host) and *when you leave the church
  6. Holy Water fonts will remain empty
  7. No Music Worship aides will be provided.
  8. No collection will be taken up – Offertory baskets will be placed near the Church Entrance – please place your envelope in the basket.
  9. No presentation of the Bread and Wine at the Offertory.
  10. No physical contact during the Our Father (holding hands).
  11. No Exchange of the Sign of Peace.
  12. The Precious Blood will not be distributed from the Chalice.

We realize that this is a lot to do and to manage, so please be patient with us as we work together to comply with all these requests and still show due honor to our Lord as we celebrate and offer Mass together. We look forward to seeing those of you who are able to come to Mass and rejoin us.

Let us pray that God bless us and keep us all safe and healthy.

With you, a disciple, for you, a priest,

Fr. Anderson