Dear St. Vincent’s Family,

We are back to mass, Alleluia, praise the Lord!

As you have read on our Facebook and in our website, DC is now in Phase II of re-opening. This means we are finally able to gather in person for Mass again. Our first weekend public Masses will be held June 28. We will resume the usual Sunday masses at 8:00am, 12:00pm and 6:30pm. I am already excited to see you all.

I am reminded of this blessing from Paul’s letter to the Philippians:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)  

The dispensation from the Sunday and Holy Day obligation remains in effect. You may have to make the difficult decision to remain at home even as we offer public Masses. Those who should stay at home include: those with COVID-19 or exposure to it, those with upper respiratory or flu like symptoms or underlying medical conditions, the sick, the elderly, those who are living with or in the presence of any individual at risk, or those who still do not feel comfortable being in a public setting. When in doubt, out of charity for others, please stay home. 

Mass will be live streamed at 8:00 am on Sundays at www.facebook.com/andygonzalo

Everyone (age 2+) is required to wear a face mask for the entire Mass. Please be sure that everyone in your party has a face mask. If you forget your mask, please ask an usher for an extra. 

When arriving, please keep socially distanced from other households as you enter church. Allow for extra time to be seated and understand that attendees may not have as much choice in where they are able to sit. You are to be seated in a place where there is a sign in front of the pew. Members of one household or family can be seated together in one pew. Please do your best to come to church early. Ushers will start seating 30 minutesbefore Mass begins so that lines and groups of people are avoided. Please do not congregate by the entrance before or after Mass.

All Hymnals and Missalettes have been removed, but disposable worship aids will be available for single use at each Mass. Please take your worship aid on entering the church and dispose of it in the trash can as you leave. 

There will be a minimum number of ministers seated in the sanctuary and assisting during the Mass. Music will be provided in a subdued manner at the 8:00am. The 12:00pm, 6:30pm will not have any music. 

Please follow the priests’ and ushers’ instructions for receiving communion. The priests will distribute the Eucharist to one column of pews at a time. One pew at a time, each household in a column will file out of their pew and line up in front of the priest. Children who will not receive communion but who are old enough to remain quietly in their pew should do so, and not get in line for communion.

Those who will not receive communion should not come forward with hands crossed for a blessing; there is a blessing for everyone at the end of Mass. 

When it is your time to receive, walk down the aisle and keep your mask on. Please receive the Host in your hand. Step to the side while still holding the Eucharist in one hand, carefully loosen your facial covering (or mask by an ear loop), consume the Host, and replace the facial covering.

Out of love for our brothers and sisters, and out of kind concern for the vulnerable and our priests, those who normally receive on the tongue are respectfully asked to consider receiving in the hand as a temporary measure. 

There will be no Offertory collection during the Mass itself. Rather, collection baskets will be placed at the doors of the church for your donations. Online Giving is another option available at our Online giving in our website.

At the end of Mass, please take a moment and wipe down the small section of the pew where you might have made contact. Wipes will be provided in each pew for your use. Once completed, the ushers will dismiss rows beginning from the back to the front of the church. Dispose of wipes and worship aids as you leave church in trash receptacles. Use all three doors to exit. Though we know everyone is happy to be reunited in worship, please do not stop to socialize in the church or on the steps outside.

Although restrooms will be open, we ask that you refrain from using them if possible. Due to the simplified liturgy, Mass will take less than an hour. We do understand that sometimes a restroom trip is necessary. If you must use the restrooms, please follow the guidelines for their usage as posted in the restrooms.

If you test positive for coronavirus or develop symptoms of Covid-19 after attending Mass at St. Vincent’s, you mustreport it to the church. Please contact the pastor, Fr. Andy at stvdppastor@gmail.com or call 202-488-1354. Thank you!

Please be patient with us and with each other as we work together to implement this plan.  Understand that we will make any changes deemed necessary to assure the safety of those attending, while doing our best to make the sacraments available and reverent.

May the peace of God dwell richly in your homes and neighborhoods.

Stay safe and God bless you all,

Fr. Andy