Dispensation from Holy Mass Remains in Effect
First of all, I want to emphasize that while we will resume public Masses, the dispensation of the obligation to attend the Sunday celebration of the Mass continues. This dispensation will remain available until further notice from the Bishop. Therefore, until this dispensation is removed, Catholics do not commit a mortal sin when they do not attend Sunday Mass. Persons with higher vulnerability are requested to use this dispensation and refrain from attending the Mass in order to promote the health and welfare of every person. This health crisis continues to be very serious and requires all of us to do our part in reducing the spread of a deadly infection, for which we currently have no vaccine. Finally, keep in mind that because of the need to enforce social distancing, we will have to limit the number of people in the Church and the Good Shepherd Hall for the safety of all. We have added extra Masses (see below) but this may mean that some will not be able to attend Holy Mass. This is not ideal, but is the necessary step we must take to protect all present.
Procedure for Public Masses
In order to both gather in worship and carry out our responsibility to protect the health of all, all must maintain social distancing throughout the duration of your time at the Cathedral. Therefore, please follow these guidelines:
- All are strongly encouraged to wear masks before, during, and after the Mass, with the exception of receiving Holy Communion. Also, please bring your own hand sanitizer with you if you want to disinfect your hands.
- You may park as normal, and maintain social distancing as you move from your car to the entrance.
- Only the south entrance to the Cathedral will be open. Please press the handicap button with your elbow to automatically open the door. The rest of the needed doors will be propped open.
- You will be directed to enter the Church through the north wooden doors. An usher will be there to assist you in being seated, beginning at the front of the church nave. Pews will be marked off according to social distancing. Once the church is filled, you will be directed to seating in Good Shepherd Hall.
- While waiting for the usher to assist you to your seat, please maintain social distancing and wait in the back of church or Gathering space north hallway.
- Persons who live in the same house may sit together, but with no more than ten persons within their group.
- You should place your offering envelope in the basket on the table at the back of church as you enter the church.
- You are strongly encouraged to receive Holy Communion in the hand, or to make an Act of Spiritual Communion.
- In approaching Holy Communion, all are required to maintain a six foot distance from each other. More explanation will be given at the time of communion, and the ushers will be there to assist you.
- At the end of Mass, the ushers will direct you in how to exit, beginning with those seated in the back of the church, out the north bronze doors. Please wait to leave your pew until directed by the usher.
- All are kindly requested to use social distancing space of six (6) feet when socializing before or after the liturgy so as to avoid the spreading of infection.
- After all have exited the church, a group of volunteers will disinfect the pews and other areas of the church before anyone can be seated for the next Mass. If you are interested in helping with this service, please contact the parish office at 316.263.6574. We will need help in this area so that this return to Mass goes smoothly.
Mass Schedule for Coming Weekend May 9-10
Our seating capacity at each Mass is going to be greatly limited in order to maintain social distancing. There will be an extra Sunday Mass in English at 11:15am. Also there will be extra Spanish Masses on Sunday at 2pm and 3:30pm. For the English Masses, one might consider attending a different, less crowded Mass like the Saturday 5pm Anticipatory Mass (Vigil) or Sunday 8:30am Mass. I ask your understanding as the Cathedral staff does it's best to prepare for the return to Masses you the sacraments.
Wednesday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We will resume adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesdays, beginning May 20. The prayer space to the south of the tabernacle will be closed and all adorers will pray in the pews in the body of the church. Instructions will be provided on sanitization of your area after you have finished your time of prayer.
All Other Parish Activities Remain Suspended
All other parish gatherings and activities, including prayer groups and catechesis classes, remain suspended until further notice.
Live Streaming of Masses
We will continue to live-stream Masses for those who should not attend or prefer not to attend due to health reasons. We will live-stream Masses in English on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12pm, and on Sunday at 8:30am and 10am. We will live-stream Masses in Spanish on Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30pm, and Sunday at 12:30pm. We will continue to live-stream Masses for two weeks and then re-evaluate it's need.
Divine Mercy Chaplet on Livestream
We will continue to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on the Livestream Monday - Friday at 6pm on the Cathedral Facebook page. This is a great way to pray as a parish family, so I encourage you to participate.
Confessions:
We will resume our normal confession schedule:
Monday - Friday: 7:30-8am, 11:30am-12pm
Saturday: 4:00-4:45pm and 6:30-7pm
Sunday: 12:00-12:30pm
Links for: