Phase 2 – Safely Returning to Mass

From Fr. Jon Thorsen:

Dear Members of Good Shepherd Parish,

In light of the recent announcements from the Green Bay Diocese regarding a Phase 2 return to Public attendance at Mass, I would like to communicate our Parish’s plan to implement the guidance available to us. Please keep in mind that the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass continues through this Phase 2. So those who are not ready to return to public Mass are encouraged to make their own prudential judgment. The elderly and people with respiratory conditions or compromised immune systems are encouraged to exercise more caution, consider staying home, participating remotely in Mass, and making spiritual communions. Recognizing that some of you are ready to come back fully to normal and others are still wanting to play it safe, these guidelines are trying to strike a balance between stepping out in faith and helping people feel safe.

Public Masses with moderate limitations will resume the Weekend of June 13-14 with regular Mass times of 4 pm on Saturdays, and 8 am and 10 am on Sundays.

Limited attendance of 50 people in church with an additional 50 people in Parish Hall will be observed. Video and audio of Mass will be projected in the Parish hall. The Diocese announced that Mass attendance with up to 25% of church’s seating capacity is allowed. However, adherence to local guidance is also called for by the Diocese. Since Calumet County’s guidance states that “mass gatherings should be limited to 50 individuals or less,” we are following that guidance while it is in effect. If county guidance should change, our policy will be updated.

Every third pew will be open for seating. The rest will be blocked off to maintain social distancing.

When coming to Mass, please bring a mask if you have one. The parish will provide one at the door if you don’t have one. Social distancing 6 feet between households remains the norm.

Hand sanitizing at the door is asked of all attendees.

Temperature checks will be conducted at church entrances.

Ushers will welcome households and explain a few details and ask which side of the church they would like to sit on. Ushers will escort households to their pew, filling up from front to back.

Please keep masks on while in Church as it helps prevent spread of potential contagion and puts the more cautious at ease.

For Communion, please wait in your pew until the usher calls your pew up. Masks may be worn until you receive Jesus in the hand. Then with spare hand remove mask and consume the Eucharist. Mask can then be put back on. Father will be the only minister distributing on the tongue for those who hold this important enough to continue doing. Please maintain a 6-foot distance between households in Communion line.

After Mass, we ask that people remain in their pews until an usher invites their pew out. We ask that people not stay to socialize in Church. Feel free to socialize outside.

Collection baskets will be available for dropping off parish stewardship envelopes.

These guidelines will also apply to weddings, funerals, and baptisms for the time being.