Dear St. Joe’s parishioners,
As we prepare our return to celebrating public Masses safely, we have been working on implementing best practices, which we shared with our community earlier this week. There is a steep learning curve for all of us as we find ways to reopen in a manner that protects our community. As we assess the realities of resuming public Mass, we would like to draw your attention to the following changes to our approach:
- For the safety of our Pastor, who is over 70 years of age, Fr. Jim will not be distributing Holy Communion at Masses. Communion will be distributed by Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist.
- If you are over 65 years of age, please consider the heightened risk involved in participating in public gatherings as you make a decision on whether to return to Mass at this time.
- While the Government of Ontario and the Archdiocese of Ottawa allow for 30 percent capacity in places of worship, which is 165 in St. Joseph’s Parish, we have reassessed whether this figure accommodates adequate physical distancing. Out of an abundance of caution, we are reducing the capacity at all Masses to 90 parishioners.
- This reduction in capacity means that we will need to turn to online registration for all Masses. We are asking all parishioners who are able to do so to please complete the appropriate registration below for the Mass that you plan to attend. It is not our intention to exclude anyone from attending, but having a better idea of attendance at each Mass will go a long way in helping us plan for a safe return to public liturgies. If we reach capacity at any given Mass, the appropriate form will become disabled.
***Registration for Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.***
***Registration for Sunday, June 21, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.***
***Registration for Sunday, June 21, 2020 at 11:30 a.m.***
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we do our best to resume public liturgies safely.
Peace,
Chris
Christopher Adam
Executive Director
Thank you for the clarifications, especially for those who are in the upper age brackets.
I remain surprised that we are not working through our parish ministries to discuss approaches and assure next steps.
I for one am deeply grateful for the hard work done by Chris, Jamie and Fr. Jim in these unprecedented times.
There are no “steps” to be discussed – there is one way this has to be done and they have done it. I for one am grateful.
Next steps will be determined by public health and our provincial government. We are still in the midst of a pandemic and need to abide by the rules set forth to protect all, not just some.
Thanks again Chris, Jamie and Fr. Jim for your stellar leadership in these stressful times.
Just an FYI, the 5PM liturgy is nice and intimate. Lots of room to accommodate extra parishoners!!
And thank you to those having to plan and make arrangements in this unusual and unscripted times.
I will attend mass.
Since I am a senior I have waited till today to register in order to give families and parishioners still on the labor market first chance. Since there haven’t yet been 90 registrations, I am happy to be included in the 90.