Return to Jerusalem: Gradual Re-Opening Protocols & Guidelines

Dear Parishioners,

“…the liturgy is considered as an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ. … In the liturgy the whole public worship is performed by the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, that is, by the Head and his members” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 7). This will always be true.

Certainly, we value the communal nature of our liturgies and the inherent value of our community of faith and parish life.  But these are not normal times.  We have learned to adjust, temporarily, to a new normal of participating at the Liturgy in front of a television or computer screen.  We long for the sacraments and have relied upon the tradition of Spiritual Communion. We even celebrated the holiest days of our liturgical year in our living rooms – finding solace in the liturgy’s rich symbols, sacred texts, and ancient traditions.  We stayed apart because this, too, is part of living in light of the Gospel.

In solidarity with the entire Body of Christ, we are aware of our obligation to respect our liturgical traditions, but also our obligation to respect the dignity of every human life – a dignity which the Church has always defended and protected.   Bishop Luis Rafael did not hesitate to suspend Liturgies and to dispense the faithful from the obligation to attend Liturgy.  During this pandemic, we will continue to champion the Common Good and to conduct our public gatherings in a manner which protects the health of our assemblies and others whom they will encounter. We will continue to mourn the dead and comfort those who mourn them. We will continue to pray for all the sick -- in our cities, in our country and in our world.

As we look forward to gathering as one body once more, our first consideration must be for the health and safety of our parishioners and those whom they will encounter.  This is especially true for the most vulnerable members of our populations, including the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.

Below you will find our protocols and guidelines that will be implemented in defined phases. Each phase has benchmarks that must be met before we move on and will be evaluated and revised, as necessary. Whenever directives are initiated or updated, they will be communicated to all the faithful through our parish website. Any variation from normal liturgical practice will be temporary.

Even in the midst of our own fear, we are grateful for the countless ways that you have sacrificed to demonstrate your love of God and your love of neighbor.
 
In the Spirit of St. Francis de Sales,

The Staff of Immaculate Conception Church:
Alfred Casinelli, Charlie DaVolio, Loraine Fetzer, Elaine LaCourse, Marie Marshall, John McGee, OSFS, and Claudia Sing

Informational Resources

Spiritual & Mental Resources

Protocols and Guidelines for the Celebration of Liturgies at Immaculate Conception Church

We know the desire to return to our parish, participate in the liturgy, and receive the Eucharist is incredibly strong, but we ask that everyone approach this time with a patient, loving and charitable mindset.  While these protocols and guidelines are subject to change as we learn and adapt, here are things everyone should be prepared for:
  • The general dispensation from the Sunday obligation from our Bishop Luis Rafael will remain.
  • Attendance will be limited.
  • Social distancing, mask wearing, and personal sanitizer will be required.
  • Temporary liturgical changes will be in place.
  • There is a health risk for anyone who attends a public liturgy or devotion during this time.
With the understanding that these dates could change with evaluations and new information on current affairs, our present steps for reopening are as follows with tentative scheduling:
  1. Parish Offices will resume regular business hours by appointment only, and with new visitor protocol on Monday, June 8.
  2. Weekday liturgies will resume with new protocols and guidelines on Wednesday, June 10.
  3. Weekend liturgies will resume with new protocols and guidelines after evaluation on Saturday and Sunday, June 20 & 21.
  4. Weekday devotions will resume with new protocols and guidelines after evaluation on Monday, July 6.
All updates and information will be published on the parish website. You are encouraged to download the parish app from your app store or by clicking the link here.

There will no doubt be challenges and frustrations. Your household might not be able to attend liturgy the first few weeks it resumes. We might have a sign-up blunder and things will not go according to plan. But we believe following these protocols and guidelines is a reasonable sacrifice for the dignity of every human life and respect of the liturgy. For the interest of the common good, and ultimately to best serve our own community, we do not want to contribute to a rebound effect.

If we all work together, we can ease back into this and continue to incrementally add more people and options. However, if we look for ways to get around the regulations, we will likely create situations that force us to take steps back.

1. A general dispensation from the Sunday obligation will remain.

  • As stated by Bishop Luis Rafael, all the faithful continue to be dispensed from their Sunday obligation. While this dispensation is applicable to all, the elderly, those sick, those with pre-existing health conditions, or other vulnerable people should especially continue to stay at home.
  • 41% of our parish (884 persons) is made up of individuals who are 65 years and older and considered highly vulnerable.
  • Charity and understanding are asked of all the faithful as parishes begin to reopen liturgies. Some parishes may not be able to offer the same opportunities as a neighboring parish due to size, space limitations, or other circumstances.

2. Attendance will be limited.

  • To meet safety standards and guidelines, we have limited our capacity to 125 people per liturgy.
  • Attendance will be handled with a ticketing process through Eventbrite.
  • Each week a new link will be available on the parish website at between 2:00pm on Wednesday and 12:00 pm on Saturday for that weekend’s liturgies. Parishioners signup for a liturgy while seating is available.
  • For those without computer access, parishioners can call the parish office during business hours at 910-791-1003 beginning at 2:00 pm on Wednesday to request a ticket for that weekend’s liturgies as long as seating is available.
  • Names will be checked to confirm attendance at the correct liturgy.
  • Because of our limitations, only those with reservations will be permitted.
  • No one should expect to be able to attend liturgy with regularity during this time.

3. Social distancing, mask wearing, and personal sanitizer will be required.

  • Masks for anyone 2-years and older and personal sanitizer are required.
  • Only the front doors of the Church will be used for entering and exiting, and the doors will be locked for entry when the liturgies begin.
  • No one is permitted to loiter in the Gathering Area before, during, or after the liturgy.
  • Rows of chairs have been moved and taped off, and seating will be facilitated by Ushers, allowing for a two-chair buffer between households.
  • You will not be permitted to choose your seat. Due to limited space and social distancing, no one should expect to sit in their usual seat.

4. Temporary liturgical changes will be in place.

  • Any variation from normal liturgical practice will be temporary.
  • Offertory baskets for the first and any second collections will be placed in front of the altar. You will be invited to place your envelopes in them prior to the start of the liturgy.
  • Ushers will assist with seating, allowing for a two-chair buffer between households.
  • No hymnals or worships aids will be used. Our repertoire will be back and forth (call and response) led by the Cantor.
  • A head nod, bow, or similar non-contact gestures will be used at the Sign of Peace for individuals not in the same household.
  • Ushers will facilitate social distancing between individuals not in the same household for the Communion Processional.
  • Distribution of the Precious Blood has been suspended during this time.
  • Sanitize your hands with your personal sanitizer before receiving the Eucharist.
  • Eucharist will only be distributed in the hand.
  • Those distributing and receiving the Eucharist are not permitted to wear gloves. Eucharist will not be distributed to anyone wearing gloves.
  • Remove your mask only when consuming the host, and promptly replace it.
  • Ushers will facilitate dismissal from the liturgy by rows to avoid congestion.

5. There will be a risk for anyone who attends a public liturgy or devotion.

  • Anyone who enters a public space should recognize there is a risk of contracting the coronavirus. Improved cleaning will occur at our church, but no one should expect that they will be any safer from germs than other public spaces.
  • Doors are equipped with sanitizing strips and grips and will remain open where possible.
  • Regular cleaning and sanitizing will take place between liturgies.
  • 41% of our parish (884 persons) is made up of individuals who are 65 years and older and considered highly vulnerable.
UPDATED 07/15/2020