August 11, 2020

Dear Parish Family,

It is with great joy that I announce the return to Sunday Masses inside the church this weekend, August 15^th. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who continue to volunteer their time at the liturgies to help make Mass on the Grass prayerful, reverent, and safe.

Over the past several weeks, the attendance at daily Mass, as well as the weekend Masses, has been most encouraging. I give thanks to God for the opportunity to hear you respond in person and participate in the liturgy, something that I missed deeply while our only opportunity to celebrate the liturgy was through an iPad in the daily Mass chapel.

I encourage you to please continue to keep holy the Sabbath. Whether you choose to worship with us in spirit from home, online, in-person on the grass, or inside the church, please continue to pray for those members of our parish family who have been affected by this pandemic. The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains in effect until further notice. 

We are blessed to welcome a number of new families to our parish over the past few months, and I hope that when you see them, you too can extend a warm welcome to these new members of our parish family. If you know someone who has been away from the church for a while or is looking for a parish family to call home, please invite them to the altar at St. Paul’s.

May God continue to shine his light upon our parish, and may the joy that I see in your faces at Mass be the one thing that spreads, infecting every heart with the love of Jesus Christ.


In Christ,

August 11, 2020

Livestream Will Continue

St. Paul's will continue to livestream Sunday Mass at 9:00 a.m. from the lawn for those that join us for worship from home. 
 

Before Returning to Mass

Before returning to Mass, we ask that you please ensure that you and everyone in your household is healthy. If you have a fever above 100 degrees, a sustained cough, or if you are in a high-risk group, then please consider watching our livestream broadcast on Sunday mornings from home. 

Please remember... it is necessary to wear a mask at St. Paul's.
 

The Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass Remains Suspended

As a reminder, Bishop Gainer has suspended the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days during this time. We hope that you will be able to continue participating from home if you cannot join us in person. 
 

Blended Options for Worship Inside and Outside

If we follow safe social distancing practices and are mindful of structural challenges in our church building, we are limited in the number of available seats. Inside the church, we are only able to accommodate a small gathering of the faithful for worship. Beginning August 15th, Masses will be offered inside the church as well as outside to accommodate as many people as possible.

Sunday Mass and a Vigil Mass will be celebrated inside the church with limited seating available. Please see our Mass times on the home page of our website. We will also continue to gather on the parish lawn, rain or shine. Please note the need to adjust the Mass times. 
 

Face Masks are Required for Those Wishing to Worship at St. Paul's 

As of Wednesday, July 1st, face masks are now mandatory in all public spaces by order of Gov. Tom Wolf and state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine [Access the order here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20200701-SOH-Universal-Face-Coverings-Order.pdf].

The Diocese of Harrisburg states that this includes our church properties whenever the faithful are assembling for Holy Mass or other liturgical services. Please note that the following amends all previous instructions given by the Commonwealth and the Diocese of Harrisburg.  

Masks are to be worn by all individuals, laity and clergy, attending liturgical services, and parochial events, whether in a church building or out of doors. The masks are to remain on the faces of individuals the entire time they are assembled with the exception of the reception of Holy Communion.

Priests are to wear masks during the celebration of Mass with the exception of particular times within the liturgy. Priests and deacons are to wear masks during the celebration of the sacraments whenever possible, especially when they are in proximity to others. 
 
The order from the Secretary of Health includes exceptions due to age, health situations, and ability to safely remove a mask as indicated in the order. For those who come to Mass without a mask due to one of these orders: a special seating area will be arranged to separate them from others.
 

Entering the Church for Mass

Please enter the church through the front doors, into the narthex. Ushers will be there to greet you and take you to a seat that is socially distant, in order to maintain guidelines set by the state and the Diocese of Harrisburg. Please remember that you will need a mask to enter the church. Hand sanitizing stations will be available.
 

Seating Inside the Church

There will be limited seating available inside the church. Once the church has reached maximum capacity, those wishing to attend Mass will be encouraged to attend a different scheduled Mass at a later time. 
 

Exchange of Peace Suspended

Per diocesan guidelines, there will not be an exchange of peace of any kind during Mass. We will guide you with any other changes to the liturgy. 
 

Indoor Restrooms

The men's and women's restrooms inside the church will be closed until further notice. The single-use family restroom in the hallway will be the only restroom available for use.
 

Distribution of Holy Communion for Mass Indoors

Holy Communion will be distributed within the celebration of Mass. Additional instruction will be provided at each liturgy to ensure that social distancing is maintained.
 

Go in Peace

After Mass has concluded, please maintain a spirit of silence and reverence inside the church for those wishing to remain for a period of silent prayer. Individuals will not be permitted to gather inside the narthex or at the doors of the church.
 

Weekly Giving

For those who are not already enrolled in online giving, offertory baskets will be available as you exit the church. Collection baskets will be not be passed during Mass.

Entering the Lawn for Mass Outdoors

Please enter the lawn from Spruce Street, behind the rectory. Once you are on the grass, parking attendants will guide you at every turn to your spot on the lawn for Mass. Please stay in your car during the entire Mass. We will be sure to hand you a worship aid as soon as you arrive. You can dispose of it when you return home. 
 

Additional Outdoor Seating Option (Weather Permitting)

Additional seating is available immediately in front of the Lawn Sanctuary (parish bazaar stage) for those that wish to bring lawn chairs and blankets. This space will be open at 8:00 a.m. and will be closed when the area has reached a capacity that is respectful to social distancing. Speakers will be on the lawn for those sitting directly in front of the sanctuary. You are asked to park on Long Street if you choose this option. Masks will need to be worn the entire time you are on the lawn. Younger disciples do not need to wear facemasks as per CDC guidelines.
 

In-Car Participation for Mass Celebrated on the Lawn

Once the seating area is full, the remaining lawn will be available for in-car participation. Those participating from their cars are asked to please remain in your vehicles during Mass. Those that will participate from their cars will be able to tune in to St. Paul’s Local FM radio broadcast to an FM radio station in their vehicle. The broadcast only covers the church grounds in accordance with  FCC guidelines and regulations for this type of broadcast. 

The FM radio station will be provided as you enter the lawn.
 

Exchange of Peace Suspended

There will not be an exchange of peace of any kind during Mass. We will guide you with any other changes to the liturgy. 
 

Outdoor Restrooms

The restrooms in the outdoor church pavilion will be available for use before and after Mass on the lawn. We ask that you utilize the restroom facilities only if absolutely necessary. Please follow social distancing guidelines as well as hygiene and safety measures.
 

Distribution of Holy Communion for Mass Outdoors

Holy Communion will be distributed after Mass is concluded. After the final blessing, those in cars will be guided off the lawn to Long Street and into the church parking lot to remain in your vehicle while waiting for communion. Parking lot attendants will guide you at each turn. When an usher gives you the signal, you will then be able to exit your vehicle with your mask on and line up under the portico at the entrance to the church. There will be several ushers to help guide you there as well.

Those individuals that attended Mass in the area directly in front of the stage are asked to exit the lawn toward the playground and continue around the rear of the church to the sidewalk in front of the bell tower. You will line up there.

There will be designated markings on the sidewalk to indicate where you are to stand and how to proceed in order to maintain social distancing. Ushers will guide you. As communion is brought to you, please lower your mask. You will need to wear a mask as you approach the communion line.

If the priest or minister distributing communion comes into physical contact with you at any time, he will stop and utilize the hand sanitizer before continuing. We want to make sure that everyone stays as healthy as possible, including your pastor and those distributing communion.
 

Go in Peace

After you receive communion, please return directly to your car to make a prayer of thanksgiving with your family after receiving the Eucharist. Please do not gather in the parking lot. The reception of Holy Communion is a time for prayer and reflection. Once you return to your vehicle, please exit the parking lot onto Spruce Street. We will have bottles of Holy Water for you as you leave the parking lot. 
 

Weekly Giving

For those who are not already enrolled in online giving, offertory baskets will be available as you exit the lawn and exit the parking lot. Collection baskets will be not be passed during Mass.