Green Phase Mass Times and Guidelines (Updated 9/4/2020)

Most of the guidelines will remain the same as we move into the Green Phase of reopening. Specific points are listed below. Please read the entire document. Thank you!

GENERAL POINTS

• The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation continues to be lifted during the Green Phase. You are not required to attend Mass at this time. Archbishop Perez has stated that he will give a few weeks notice before returning to a normal Sunday obligation.
• While the obligation to attend Mass has been dispensed, a good faith effort should be made to keep holy the Lord’s Day through prayer and participation in a live streamed Mass.
• Please stay home if you are sick or do not feel comfortable attending Mass at this time.
• Please stay home if you are at higher risk of severe illness with COVID19. If you are uncertain about your risk status, please consult your doctor and also the CDC Guidelines at the link below.
• Click here to read the CDC Guidelines for those at higher risk:
  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html
• Mass will continue to be available via livestream on our website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
• Please note: the livestream Mass time will change to 9:30 a.m.
• We will be limiting Mass attendance to 166 people. This is the capacity the Church can hold while still maintaining social distance.

MASS SCHEDULE

• Sunday: We will be celebrating public Masses at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
  The 9:30 a.m. Mass will continue to be livestreamed. The Saturday 4pm Mass will resume on September 5, 2020.
• There will be no music at the 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Masses. the 4pm Mass will have limited music.
• The congregation is reminded that singing should be kept to a minimum and at a low volume to reduce the possible spread of aerosolized particles.
• Please note: the 7:30 a.m. Mass has been very close to reaching our maximum capacity. If capacity is reached, you will be asked to wait outside. A Eucharistic Minister will bring Holy Communion outside to you during the Communion Rite. Please consider attending the 11:30 a.m. Mass if that is possible.
• There will be no Saturday Vigil Mass or 5:00 p.m. Mass at this time. Those Mass Intentions will still be offered by a priest.
• Daily Mass will now be celebrated Tuesday through Friday at 8: 30 a.m. There will be no public Mass on Monday, but those Mass Intentions will still be offered by a priest.

 BEFORE COMING TO MASS

• Please wash your hands for 20 seconds using soap and water.
• Masks are required for Mass attendance.
• Before entering the Church, please put on a face mask or cloth covering. Exceptions to this are “children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, and anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance” (CDC Guidelines).
• While face shields may be worn, they may not take the place of a mask.
• Masks should be well-fitting and cover both your mouth and nose.
• Please do not come to Mass if you are sick or are at higher risk for severe illness with COVID19 (see above).
• Missalettes will not be in the pews during this period. You are welcome to bring your own missal/readings with you or utilize the Parish App. Readings for the day and a worship aid will also be available on the parish website.

ENTERING THE CHURCH

• Each entrance to the Church will be open. Ushers will be there to assist you in finding a place to sit.
• Hand sanitizers will be available at the Church entrances. Please use the hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the Church.
• A limited number of bulletins will be available. Please note – our ushers cannot hand out Weekly Church Bulletins. You must take your own from the table.

SEATING

• When taking your seat, please honor all posted signs about where you may sit. Certain pews will remain blocked off to maintain social distancing.
• Members of the same household may sit together as normal. Please place 6 feet between your household and members of a different household.
• Ushers will be present to assist you and your family in finding an available pew. You may be asked to move as needed.  Please follow the directions of the ushers and parish staff. If no seats are available, you will need to move outside but can still receive Holy Communion.

DURING MASS

• The 9:30 a.m. Mass will have music in some capacity. We will have an organist and a cantor. In accordance with Archdiocesan directives, we are asking that the congregation refrain from singing for the time being.
• There will be no collection taken up during the Offertory. Collection baskets will be placed on tables in the front of the Church and at the rear. You may place your offering in the baskets as you enter or as you leave the Church building.
• There will be no Sign of Peace during Mass during the Green Phase.
• The Precious Blood will not be distributed during Mass during the Green Phase.
• There should be no holding of hands during the Our Father.

RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

• The Communion line will process up the center aisle. There will be ONE line to receive Holy Communion. Only one section of pews will form the line. Please remain in your pew until your section is indicated. Ushers will direct you from your section/pew and into the line.
• Please maintain social distancing in the Communion line. There will be spots marked on the floor to keep the 6’ distance. Please keep several pews between yourself and the person in front of you while in line and when returning to your pew.
• During the Green Phase, the faithful are asked to receive Holy Communion in the hand. If you must receive on the tongue, you will process up the main Communion aisle. The priest will be positioned to the right of the altar. The priest will need to sanitize his hands in between each person receiving on the tongue.
• You may not wear gloves to receive Holy Communion
• Eucharistic Ministers will not be wearing masks while distributing the Holy Eucharist.
• Please remove your mask before receiving Holy Communion. Your mask must be placed back on your face immediately after receiving Holy Communion. Think: bow, remove, receive, replace.

EXITING THE CHURCH

• At the conclusion of Mass, please exit the Church and proceed directly to your car. Please maintain 6-foot distances as you exit the building and do not congregate for any reason.
• Please take a parish bulletin home with you. Bulletins will be located on the tables as you exit. Ushers may not distribute bulletins at this time.
• Please leave your mask on until you exit the Church.

VOLUNTEERS

• If you are interested in helping to clean the church after each Mass, please email Sue Raffin at or call the Rectory at 215-945-8750.

GREEN PHASE ADDITIONS

• Father John will resume his Eucharistic Prayer Meeting on Tuesday, July 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Church.
• Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will remain in the Main Church on Thursdays. Adoration begins after daily Mass and the Blessed Sacrament remains exposed until 5:00 p.m.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

• We have removed missalettes from the pews.
• Our church is deep cleaned weekly.
• Before and after each Mass, we will sanitize all surfaces that can be touched frequently.
• Queen of the Universe will follow the guidelines from the CDC for sanitation. To view the CDC guidelines, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/faith-based.html

We appreciate your continued patience. Please note, we will be evaluating and re-evaluating policies and procedures weekly. We will adjust as needed or as directed by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.