Preparing for Phase II: Returning to Public Mass

The Catholic Bishops of Minnesota released a statement this past week authorizing public Masses for parishes who are prepared to provide a safe, healthy environment for congregants.

• Letter from MN Bishops
• Returning to Mass Safely (flyer)

In light of their direction, the priests and parish leadership of Nativity of Our Lord are currently in ongoing discussions on when and how to re-open our liturgies to public assembly as soon as is possible in a safe and healthy way.

One of the essential benchmarks we must meet before re-opening public liturgies is an adequate number of low-risk volunteers who can assist their fellow parishioners before, during, and after Mass. Please contact the parish office if you are willing and able to help.

Our first consideration must continue to be for the spiritual and physical health of our parishioners and those whom they encounter, especially the most vulnerable: the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. We continue to rely on medical professionals and governmental standards to inform these directives.
 
The obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation will continue to be suspended as long as the pandemic continues — in other words, indefinitely. In the meantime, Nativity of Our Lord will continue to live-stream liturgies for the benefit of the homebound and those otherwise vulnerable and unable to attend in person.
 
All COVID-19 positive persons, those who are symptomatic, and those living with them, must continue to stay home, even as public Masses resume. Persons over age 65 and those with preexisting health conditions should also continue to stay home during Phase II and avoid public gatherings, including in church.
 
As public Masses resume at Nativity, the Archdiocese will limit attendance to no greater than 30% of our church’s capacity for low-risk congregants, and likely even less. In practice, numbers will be limited by our ability to properly space our parishioners, honoring the recommended six feet of social distancing.

In the spirit of fairness, as well as to help ensure orderly and safe attendance, Mass-goers will be required to register ahead of time and show proof of registration to receive admittance to Mass.  
 
Face coverings will be required for entrance. In order to provide masks for those without, we invite our crafty members of the parish to donate home-made masks to the parish office. Please contact Katie Schaitberger for more information.

Choirs and congregational singing will be temporarily discontinued Archdiocese-wide, since singing expels many more respiratory particles than speaking does.

Extra time will be required between liturgies in order to allow for safe (slow) exiting as well as cleaning and disinfecting, and liturgical schedules, including Adoration, will be adjusted to accommodate this extra time.
 
Thank you in advance for your patience and consideration as our parish leadership navigates these restrictions and guidelines. It is our intent to provide the opportunity to worship Our Lord in our church as soon as we are able, for as many of our parishioners as possible, in the safest and healthiest environment.
 
As our parish discerns when our own Phase II will officially begin, along with public liturgies, we will compile pertinent, up-to-date information at https://nativity-mn.org/phase2, including liturgy registration information.

Please also subscribe to our weekly email newsletter if you haven’t yet.
 
In the meantime, let us continue to pray for those suffering from the virus, those who care for them, and those who have died.