June 4, 2020
Updated July 25, 2020
Beginning July 25, and following the Phase 4 Reopening guidelines, we will be increasing our capacity to 100 people in the church sanctuary, with an additional 50 people seated in the hall
Although we are allowed more people, we must still observe the social distancing rule of keeping 2 metres apart from others (except family groups, or individuals who have travelled to church together.)
Everyone must continue to use hand sanitizer when they enter, sign a contact tracing form, and, please wear a mask (unless physically unable to do so) for your own safety and that of others in our parish. If you don't have a mask, one of our parishioners has kindly been sewing masks for others to take.
After Mass, please sanitze your pews, and then leave the church in an orderly fashion (being sure to keep 2 metres distance again). Please visit with friends outdoors, not in the atrium.
Even with the increased capacity, we are requesting that people continue to register ahead of time for Mass by emailing theresa@mmoc.ca
On June 6 & 7, we will resume our weekend Masses at their usual times! In addition, we will continue to offer an on-line Mass for those who cannot attend.
We have been looking forward to this day for many weeks now, and are happy that we can now physically worship together, albeit in a small group for now. However, as we return to worshipping together, we have to respect and follow the guidelines and protocols put in place by the province of Manitoba and the Archdiocese of St. Boniface. Click here to see the Archdiocesan protocol at a glance.
Here are some initial guidelines that we have put in place in order to proceed with re-opening our parish:
- Beginning June 21, Masses will be limited to 50 people (including Fr. Kevin).
- Parishioners must register for the weekend Mass of their choice by contacting Theresa at 204-261-1579 ext. 2 or theresa@mmoc.ca
- If you are unwell, or experiencing any symptoms at all, please do not attend Mass. As well, persons who are at a greater risk of serious illnesses (e.g. are older than 65 years, or have a chronic medical condition) are encouraged to stay safe by avoiding public gatherings. We will have a recorded Mass available to view on-line.
- The church (pews, doors, washrooms, and high-touch surfaces) will be sanitized between each Mass.
- All attendees must sign a contact tracing form upon arrival, confirming that neither they, nor anyone in their household, have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Please wear a face mask, and practice social distancing by staying 2 metres from other parishioners.
- Please arrive for Mass on time as the doors will be locked after Mass begins.
- Hand sanitizer stations will be available upon entry into the church - all attendees must disinfect their hands.
- We have reserved pews to allow for social distancing. Please sit only in the pews without a reserved sign.
- Hymnals have been removed from pews. There will be no congregational singing.
- Offertory: there will be a basket placed at the entrance into the church. Please put your offering here on your way into Mass. We continue to encourage giving through online donations.
- There will be no shaking hands during the sign of peace. Please bow or use another symbol of peace.
- During Communion:
- we will not be offering the chalice
- please stay at least 2 metres from each other in the communion line
- Communion will only be given in the hand, not on the tongue
- if you are wearing gloves, you must remove them in order to receive Communion
- When the Mass has finished please exit in an orderly fashion - one pew at a time, and always maintaining 2 metres of space between each other.
- There will be no after-Mass gatherings in the hall or atrium.
- Once everyone has left, the doors will be locked, and the church and washrooms will be sanitized.
Archbishop Legatt has granted a dispensation from the Sunday obligation to physically attend to the faithful. This dispensation will be in effect until the end of the pandemic. The faithful are strongly encouraged to participate in Sunday Mass through live-streaming / on-line Masses, whether from a parish, the diocese or some other source.
Archbishop Legatt, from the Archdiocese of St. Boniface speaks about the loosening on the restrictions of gatherings: