Mass Resumes for the Feast of Pentecost
Saturday, May 30, 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm (Spanish)
Sunday, May 31, at 7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am and 6:30 pm
Welcome Home, Saint Luke's!
Click the image below to watch a video message from Monsignor Michael:
A Care-Filled and Prayer-Filled Reopening of Saint Luke Church
We were delightfully surprised when it was announced last Monday that places of worship with disciplined gatherings of people in churches were being allowed in the first phase of the Coronavirus reopening. Most assumed that because of the complexity of opening houses of worship, especially larger ones, we would have to wait for phase two or even three.This is a recognition of the critical role that prayer and worship have for the well-being of our community in these very difficult times. It also brings with it a great responsibility so that our reopening be done with careful regard for the safety of those gathering. We have learned that with disciplined behavior and thoughtful procedures the spread of the virus can be significantly contained.
We will resume our weekend Mass Schedule on the Feast of Pentecost, May 30-31:
Saturday at 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm (Spanish) and Sunday at 7:00am*, 9:00am, 11:00am and 6:30pm.
The 9:00 am daily Mass will resume in the church on Monday, June 1. There will be no Saturday morning Mass until further notice.
* Please note that the early Mass on Sunday morning will be at 7:00 am to allow time to clean the church. The 9:00 am daily Mass will resume in the church on Monday, June 1. There will be no Saturday morning Mass until further notice. This will provide time to do a thorough cleaning of the church before the weekend.
For the health and safety of our parishioners:
While we are excited to welcome you back to Saint Luke’s Church for the celebration of Mass, we also want to ensure the health and safety of all our parishioners.
Please familiarize yourselves with these protocols and procedures for returning to Mass at Saint Luke’s as they will help to ensure a smooth re-opening.
Attendance at Mass
- The decision about returning to Mass requires considerable thought and prayer from all of us. As Catholic Christians we have a moral obligation to exercise prudence and charity, putting the health and welfare of others before our personal desires.
- The obligation to attend Sunday has been suspended by Bishop McManus until December 31, 2020. Keep in mind the State of MA’s “Safer at Home Advisory.”
- Older adults and those with underlying health conditions should continue to avoid public assemblies and remain at home. Saint Luke’s will continue to record the Sunday Mass each week which can be viewed on Sunday at 9:00 am and 6:30 pm on Westborough Cable Verizon Fios Channel 24 or Charter Spectrum Channel 191.
- Persons who are feeling sick or exhibiting any of the following symptoms should not attend Mass – fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell. Persons who have potentially been exposed to someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should not attend.
Capacity & Seating for Mass
- During this first phase of reopening, our Masses at Saint Luke’s Church will be limited to 100 people. (This is the estimated number of people who can be seated in the church while maintaining 6 feet of distance from others and assumes family clustering.) This number also includes the celebrant, musicians, ministers and attendants. In order to ensure compliance people will not be allowed to enter the church once we have reached the occupancy limit.
Prior to Arriving
- Personal hygiene before coming to church is critical. Please be advised there will be very limited access to the church restroom.
- Face coverings or masks are required in the parking lot and during Mass. Please note that for children between ages 2 and 5, the wearing of a face covering or mask is at the discretion of the child’s parent. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a face covering or mask. Places of worship may refuse entry to a person who refuses to wear a face covering or mask for non-medical reasons.
- Greeters will assist with hand sanitizers as you enter the church and before you receive Holy Communion.
Arriving for Mass
- Parishioners must enter the church through the Center Main Street door or when necessary the front ramp accessible door. The left front door and side door cannot be used to enter. Please keep the six feet social distancing as you approach and enter the church. Please wait to be seated by one of the parish volunteers. Again please be sure to remain six feet away from the person in front of you. The floor will be marked in order to help maintain social distancing. This process will allow for the easiest and safest entry for all our parishioners.
- Volunteers will seat you and your household when you arrive.
- Alternate pews will be roped off in order to maintain social distancing and we appreciate everyone cooperating in sitting in only the open pews. The portable chairs in the front require four empty seats between families or individuals to maintain safe distancing.
- Please note, you may be sharing a pew with another household, but social distancing must be maintained between households (6 feet).
- The holy water fonts will remain empty. Hymnals and missalettes have been removed from the pews. There will also be no bulletins available. Please do not bring any materials from outside into the worship area during the celebration of the Eucharist.
General Procedures for Mass
- Please keep your face covering or mask on for the duration of Mass.
- There will be no congregational singing during the Mass with the exception of the Gospel Acclamation, Holy Holy, Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen, and Lamb of God.
- There is to be no physical contact at the Sign of Peace, hand holding during the Lord’s Prayer or shaking hands/hugging others after Mass.
- Baskets will not be passed during the offertory. We strongly encourage online giving through "WeShare". Although we will provide baskets in the back we strongly encourage you to use electronic donations or to continue to mail in your offering. Money collected in the baskets must be quarantined for three days and requires special precautions for processing.
Procedures for Receiving Holy Communion
- The Precious Blood will not be distributed to the congregation.
- Holy Communion will be distributed at the conclusion of the Mass. After the concluding blessing and the dismissal, the priest will remind you to remain in your seat. The priest and Minister of Communion will proceed to the places prepared for the distribution of Holy Communion.
- There will be two Communion stations - one at the head of each of the side aisles. Both the center section and side pews should proceed down the side aisle. Volunteers will assist in ushering each pew to assist in social distancing. The aisles will be marked with tape at 6 foot intervals to help maintain social distancing. At the head of the aisle we will assist you in sanitizing your hands before you receive communion.
- Masks should be worn while in the communion line. After you have received communion please step to the side, remove your mask, consume the Eucharist, and then re-mask. There is a “public health preference” that those who receive Holy Communion receive in the hand and not on the tongue.
- After receiving Holy Communion, please exit the church by the front entrances. After leaving the church please do not congregate in the hallways, vestibule or outside, but head directly to your vehicle.
Communion:
Approach the altar via side aisles, alternating pews as directed by ushers.
After receiving, exit down main aisle, out the doors.
At all times please be mindful of keeping a 6-foot distance from others not in your household.
Church Cleaning Procedures
- We will continue to implement cleanliness and sanitation practices, including cleaning pews between every Mass. Parish staff and volunteers will be required to wear face masks, and wash hands regularly. Disinfecting bathrooms, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces will occur throughout the day.
Saint Luke’s Church has been careful to observe the guidelines issued by the State of Massachusetts and the Bishop of Worcester in the interest of public health.
