Welcome Back!!

 At last we can attend Mass publicly Saturday May 30^th.  Here are our guidelines at St John Vianney Parish for reopening.   The dispensation from attending Sunday Mass is granted to all Catholics in the diocese through October 18. 

 We urge anyone who is considered vulnerable due to age (over 60) or underlying health conditions to remain home.  If you are sick, stay home.  You can watch our livestream of Mass by watching our Facebook page or Parish Website on Sundays at 10:30am.

 Because of the design of our church, being limited to 25% of capacity, and social distancing of six feet between families at any given Mass, we are going to have people sign up for what Mass they will attend so we do not have to turn anyone away at the door.  We are offering you the opportunity to attend any ONE of the Masses offered during the week.  Please be considerate of those who are working so they can sign up for weekend Mass.  You can sign up by going to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080d4fabae2ca1fc1-sjvmass.  The link for signups can also be found on our Parish Website and the Parish Facebook page. You can also call the parish office Monday – Wednesday, from 9am – 4pm, to reserve your spot.  This gives people the opportunity to hopefully attend Mass at least once a week.  This is the initial plan and subject to change.  Things will look a little different than usual.  We will have assigned seating.  You probably will not be able to sit where you usually sit in church due to restrictions.  Know that this is temporary.  Capacity will be gradually increased as long as COVID-19 cases do not spike in our area.  Social Distancing MUST occur.  Only people living in the same household may sit together.  All others must remain 6 feet away in every direction from each other. 

 Here are some basic guidelines we will be following at church throughout this process.  All will ENTER church through the main entrance through gathering area.  Sunday offering (collection) will be collected in the entry of church since there will be no passing of the basket.  ALL attendees age 2 and older, are required to wear a face covering and bring your own personal hand sanitizer.  We will not be praying the rosary before Mass at this time.  Holy Water fonts will remain empty.  If you need holy water contact me.  There will be one musician and one cantor at this time; participation in song may be a little difficult with people wearing their face covering.  There will be no physical contact between people (no holding hands during Lord’s Prayer etc).  The invitation to the Sign of Peace and Sign of Peace is omitted at this time.

 Distribution of the Precious Blood remains suspended.  We will maintain social distancing (6 feet) while receiving the Body of Christ.  There are tape markings on the floor to highlight distancing.  Holy Communion may not be distributed with gloves, nor may Holy Communion be received in a gloved hand.  The faithful will keep their face covering in place while approaching – at six foot distance they respond “Amen” and remove their face covering before coming forward to receive Holy Communion.  Their face covering should be placed back on before proceeding to seat.  Ministers of Communion must wear an appropriate face covering and wash or sanitize hand immediately before and after distributing Holy Communion.  An ablution dish will be next to the minister to sanitize hands frequently during distribution of Holy Communion.  Holy Communion should not be taken to the homebound at this time; it remains available as Viaticum.      We will need ushers for the weekend and weekday Masses.  We also need help sanitizing the church after each Mass.  If you are willing to help, please contact Cathy Burgess at 616-724-3131. These are the major changes for now.  Of course, adjustments will have to be made along the way.   Your patience and mercy is appreciated.      

                              WELCOME!

 Fr John