Updates to Saint John's Pandemic Protocols

Two weeks ago, Gov. Walz issued an executive order that rolls back many of our current pandemic protocols. Here at Saint John's, we are following guidance from the Archdiocese, while keeping in mind our own knowledge of our Saint John’s community and our congregation’s unique circumstances and vulnerabilities. The following is a summary of what changes you will see, effective after May 28, 2021 (for our Memorial Day Weekend Masses onward). Again, thank you for maintaining a charitable mindset and an empathetic heart, as each person’s situation and comfortability will be different.  

It is important to remember that Archbishop Hebda's dispensation from Mass continues--and we want to see your faces back, as soon as you are comfortable and able. Please don't hesitate to reach out at any time with any questions, clarifications or concerns you might have. My primary goal as we continue this shift in protocols is to ensure every one of our parishioners is given the opportunity to ask questions and be heard.

Peace,
Father Tom
 

Masks: What We've Done

On May 14, the Archdiocese released a statement that states: “Those fully vaccinated are not at significant risk for contracting or spreading the coronavirus, and need no longer wear facemasks ... Those not vaccinated are safer if they continue to wear facemasks.” These changes were communicated last weekend, for our May 15 and May 16 Masses.
 

What Happens May 28?

Social Distancing
Per Archdiocesan guidance, after May 28, indoor gatherings no longer need to maintain 6 feet social distancing. As such, we will be removing the ropes between pews, opening up the entirety of our church space, with one exception: We will maintain the roped sections and social distancing in the south (confessional) wing, and we encourage those who have a particular need or vulnerability to ask an usher to seat you in this "socially distanced space." Similarly, we ask those who are not particularly vulnerable to sit elsewhere as we open up our space, leading with compassion as more of our community returns to Mass.
Masks
As mentioned above, at Saint John's we are in alignment with the Archdiocese's statement regarding face masks, issued May 14. Father Tom, as well as all of our Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EME)s, may continue to choose to wear a mask at any time, including during Communion Distribution, but it is not a requirement. Father plans to cease wearing his mask in mid-June, unless he is sick. As a reminder, especially while the dispensation continues, if you are sick, please be mindful of those around us: Consider wearing a mask or staying home, or using our social distancing space in the south wing of the church.

Hymnals and Peace
As we open up the church and shift our sanitation practices, the hymnals will be returned to their usual spaces. There is no requirement to use a hymnal during Mass; they are always offered as a worship aid to our congregation, to encourage active participation in the Mass. We are so thrilled to provide these again to our congregation, and anticipate there will be an increase in congregational singing to go along with them. Here again, if you are sick, consider whether or not you need to use the hymnals that week.

The sign of peace is a poignant moment in the Mass that allows for more congregational interaction. Let us move into a time when we can again show our signs of peace in many ways, always being mindful, loving and respectful of each other and our comfortabilities. If you are sick, please consider a gesture as opposed to a handshake. 

Communion Distribution
For the next month or so, we will return to distributing Communion from the front of the church, allowing two lines for Communion Distribution, one on each side (north and south). We will limit the number of EMEs per service, however, to just Father Tom and one other EME. Please follow the directions of the ushers. 

Additionally, while the dispensation continues, we will maintain our same schedule of Drive-through Communion Distribution in the Gathering Space Circle (available at ~5:30 P.M. Saturdays and ~11:30 A.M. Sundays).

Church Hours and Traffic Flow
There is no longer any requirement to limit flow of traffic within the building, so all doors will be unlocked and open for entering and exiting the building at every Mass. Access to the children's room is reinstated, as well as to the chapel and sacristy. 

The church doors will be unlocked a little after 7:00 A.M. Monday-Friday, and will be locked around 4:00 P.M., but access to the church will be available longer by using the Gathering Space door (southern-most door, the one with the handicap sign) through 9:00 P.M. daily. On weekends, church doors are unlocked approximately 30 minutes prior to Confession or Mass.

Live Streaming
As the dispensation from Mass continues, and because we always have community members who are, for one reason or another, in a vulnerable state or otherwise unable to attend Mass, our live streaming ministry will continue at all 4:30 P.M. Saturday Masses and other special services or events. Live streaming can be found by following the links on our website, or on our Church Facebook page, and can be viewed in real time or later in the weekend.

School Masses
We have three remaining School/Parish Masses this school year. The Mass planned for May 26 is already going to be held outdoors, and all are welcome. (In the event of rain, it will be held in a socially distanced manner in the gym. Please note: Masks WILL be required at this Mass if it moves indoors, due to the Archdiocese stance on maintaining school pandemic protocols through the end of this school year.)

Then on June 2 and June 9, Mass will be held at 9:10 A.M. with the entirety of the school population in attendance in the church, as social distancing requirements will be lifted at that time.

Adoration in the Chapel
Once the social distancing restrictions are lifted, we plan to return the Eucharist to the Lower Church Chapel for Adoration on Thursdays. Stay tuned for more information on exact hours of Adoration, but plan for, at a minimum, continuation of our 8:30 A.M. to noon schedule. We will make this shift to the Chapel effective June 3. 
 

What Comes Next?

At some point, we will be reintroducing our Mass Server ministry. Additionally, some of the changes mentioned above are considered interim or temporary transitional changes, and we will keep you posted as we learn and discern more. The following are examples of some of the things that are not changing, yet, but we anticipate will be in the coming weeks and months:

• Presentation of the Gifts 
• Use of Holy Water stoups
• Dispensation from Mass

We will communicate any updates to our protocols here at Saint John's throughout the month of June. Please watch closely for these communications.