Updates –
June 8, 2020
Dear
Parishioners,
We have
received the good news from New York State that houses of worship here in the Hudson
Valley can begin to reopen on June 9 with 25% seating capacity. Cardinal Dolan
has given permission for parishes to begin the process of reopening – including
daily Mass, funerals, weddings, and baptisms at 25% of capacity. No Sunday Mass
yet but should resume soon. The key words are “begin” and “process.”
There is much that must be done to provide for safety. The church is not ready
yet for Mass at 25% capacity. Equipment was ordered a month ago and still has
not arrived. Training must still take place. And, all are reminded that the
requirement to attend Mass is still lifted. We are still amid a pandemic. Everyone
65 and older is encouraged to stay home and keep watching on livestream.
This is what
we are prepared to do now:
Weekday
Mass – Beginning on
Tuesday, June 9 – the Patronal Feast of St. Columba – at 7:00 pm, we can resume
weekday Mass OUTDOORS. If the weather is bad, we must cancel and livestream.
Notifications will be sent the usual way. The entire parking area in front of
the church will be blocked off for Mass seating. Cones will mark the seating area,
but you also may sit on side lawns or in front of the school. (Sadly, we had to
cut down all the bushes, but they will come back!) Bring your own chairs or
you can stay in your car. The portable sound system has not arrived but there
are 2 outdoor speakers that can be used for now. Wear face mask. Keep social
distance of six feet. Only clergy, deacon candidates and religious sisters will
read and distribute Communion for now. No bringing up gifts. At Communion time
the priest/deacon will receive Holy Communion, then offer the Closing Prayer
and Final Blessing. Mass will conclude with distribution of Holy Communion.
There will be three Communion stations. You must keep six feet apart in the
Communion line. We invite and encourage everyone to receive Communion in the
hand, although we may not refuse to give Communion on the tongue. Please,
please – fully extend your arms and hands out toward the minister or open wide
your mouth with tongue out. If the
minister touches you in any way, he will place the ciborium on a table next to
him and clean his hands with sanitizer. All should immediately depart – no
gathering in groups after Mass.
Here is
our new Weekday Mass Schedule – still subject to change and weather dependent – and all
outdoors for now – from now until Labor Day (we will continue to livestream all
Masses during the pandemic):
Monday,
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 am
Tuesday and
Thursday at 7:00 pm
Note – We simply do not have room for
everyone on weekends, especially when outdoor Masses need to be cancelled due
to weather. Since there is no obligation to attend Mass at this time, we will
encourage parishioners to consider coming to any Mass during the week. This is
why two masses are in the evening.
Adoration – Will continue Monday, Wednesday
& Friday 4:00 – 8:00 pm and concluding with Benediction 7:50pm. Tuesday and
Thursday 4:00 – 6:45 pm and concluding with Benediction at 6:35 pm. We will
soon resume Rosary & Divine Mercy at times to be determined so stay tuned.
Funeral
Masses – We are
working with McHoul Funeral Home to resume Funeral Masses – maximum 125 people
– by Monday, June 15. There are several things to still work out regarding
safety – Beginning June 15, we will be happy to work together with McHoul’s to
schedule Memorial Masses for those who could not have a Funeral Mass. They can
be scheduled Monday to Friday at 10:00 am & noon and on Saturdays at 9:30
am & 11:30 am. There must be time to clean the church in between.
Baptisms – Families can start calling Deacon
Bill to arrange for Baptisms. Those who had cancelled Baptisms will have priority
choice of date. Only one family at a time and ceremonies will be brief lasting
½ hour. Baptisms can be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30, 2:30 &
3:30 pm. Families will be rotated to different parts of the church for safety
and water changed for every baptism.
Weddings – They may resume within the safety
parameters required, including physical spacing and 25% capacity.
Next
Steps for St. Columba
– prepare our church for use on weekdays and weekends, train ushers and
greeters, train cleaning team and establish schedules, get safety equipment in
place. We will reopen the parish office when the safety equipment arrives. You
are reminded – Mass Intentions this Thursday from 8:00 – 12:00 noon school gym
& cafeteria.
Signage – new signs will be placed on church
doors. During the pandemic and during all liturgies (except weddings &
funerals), the front doors will be entrance only. No exit. Exit only using the
side doors.
Corpus
Christi Sunday, June 14 – Due to recent changes permitting us to gather, we have cancelled
the home visits. Instead, we invite all to come to St. Columba Parking lot
at 11:00 am. for a Corpus Christi Procession. Make sure to leave one parking
space open between cars. Spread out in our lots. Since our route will include
Sister Grace’s Way and looping around behind the school, you may wish to get
out of your car and line Sister Grace’s Way – keeping social distance and
wearing masks. We will process throughout our property with the Holy Eucharist
and stop at each car/each family. You can remain in your car or step out. The priest
will bless each group individually. We hope to see you Sunday!
