COVID-19 Phase II Recovery

Dear Friends ---

I received word from the Archdiocese that all parishes will enter Phase II regarding COVID-19 recovery with regard to Worship and Parish Life beginning Monday, June 22nd.

Worship --- Phase II means following the occupancy guidelines of the county the parish is in. St. Charles County policy is aligned verbatim with the State of Missouri. Hence, occupancy restrictions are lifted. However, social distancing is still recommended and, per the archdiocese, masks will continue to be required in all parish churches in the Archdiocese. We will continue to require that masks be worn throughout the entirety of Worship except when receiving Holy Communion.

Because of the social distancing requirement, we will need to continue sign-ups for Mass attendance so that the 9:30 Mass, in particular, doesn't get out of hand. I will be raising the sign-up limit to 160 beginning with the weekend of 6/27-28. That is roughly the number we typically have at 7:30 on Sundays. Using the additions for seating should make that number easily enough distanceable.

The Archdiocese has reopened the possibility for the faithful to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, but they must receive from the Priest-Celebrant. I am not comfortable with that. I don't want my hand licked and I don't want to have to stop and sanitize multiple times during the distribution of Holy Communion. So, we continue to ask people to receive in the hand. I hope that you will accept that request from me in a spirit of charity.

Parish Life --- Those Ministries & Services who wish are permitted to resume meeting on campus as of July 1. Social distancing and masks are required for all gatherings on campus. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE our Seniors (JASSS) Group to remain suspended from activities during Phase II.

The Parish Office staff will resume regular Office Hours -- Mon through Fri from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm beginning July 1.  All who come to the Parish Office for any need will be required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing while here in respect of the well-being of our Office Staff.

- Fr. Brockland