On May 15, the state of Louisiana will enter Phase 1 of its Open Safely initiative. Here is what St. Benilde Parish has implemented effective Friday, May 15 to ensure we remain within the state guidelines and keep our parishioners as safe as possible.
First, starting May 15, we will resume the following Mass schedule:
Weekdays
9:00 a.m. Monday, Wednesday & Friday
5:30 p.m. Tuesday & Thursday
4:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil
Weekends
4:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil (Reserved for individuals 65+ years old). Masks are also required for this liturgy
9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 6 p.m. on Sunday
Confessions (back in church)
Thursday 6-6:30 p.m.
Saturday 3-3:45 p.m.
Sunday 5-5:45
Per the state's guidelines, church attendance is limited to 25% capacity. In our case, this equals 160 total attendees. Though RSVP's will no longer be required for Mass, admittance will be closed once capacity is reached.
Pews will be roped off to ensure appropriate social distancing. Members of the same household may, of course, sit together but all others must maintain 6 ft or more distance from one another at all times. The cry room will also be closed indefinitely.
Though mask-wearing is highly encouraged, it is not required. Individuals are also asked to receive Holy Communion on their hands out of consideration for others.
Dispensation from the Archbishop
The people of the Archdiocese are still dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. If someone is vulnerable and not feeling well, they should not celebrate Mass in church with other people. Please do not attend Mass if you are running a temperature or exhibiting any potential Covid-19 symptoms.