Updates
From St. Columba – July 24, 2020
Father
Michael reports that he had no fever last night and slept well. The medicines
appear to be working. Doctors orders are rest and plenty of liquids. He thanks
all for their prayers.
He is also
grateful to Father Connolly for shortening his time away and coming back to
serve the parish. We are sure that parishioners are equally as grateful.
Our Mass
Schedule for the weekend of July 25-26 (Weather dependent)
Saturday Morning July 25 -
8:00 am outdoors
Saturday Evening July 25 –
5:30 pm in church
Sunday, July 26
8:00 am – outdoors
10:00 am – outdoors
12:000 noon – in church
Confessions Saturday 8:30 –
9:00 am & 4:00-5:00 pm - place to be determined. Look outside first!
Last week
Father Michael asked Pat Moore, who coordinates our ushers and greeters, and
who also is a Church Trustee, to put together a summary of where we are at
right now. He sent it to Father Michael. Father Michael made a few
adjustments/additions. It helps all to understand why we do what we are doing!
Thanks Pat!
On June 9th
we were given the authority by the Archdiocese of New York, in compliance with
New York State emergency procedures, to offer public Mass. We decided to hold most of our Masses outdoors
where there is no capacity limitation.
There is a 25% capacity limitation indoors. The popularity of our outdoor Masses is
evident in the kind of attendance we have.
There are several questions that have been asked over the past six (6)
weeks as to why we are doing certain things, so we thought we would take a
moment to share our results, what we learned and to explain why certain things
are being done the way they are.
How Many
People Actually Attend Mass?
With six (6)
weeks under our belt we see definite patterns.
Weekday Morning Masses (mostly outdoors) attract about 55 people. Weekday evening Masses attract about 70
people. Our weekend Masses are
consistent with about 85 people attending the 5:30 PM (Saturday) and the Noon
Sunday Masses. Our most popular Masses
are the 8:00 and 10:00, both attracting around 200 people each. Overall St. Columba has a weekend attendance
just shy of 600 people (which is roughly 30% of our normal attendance). This attendance also appears to be larger
than what most local parishes are experiencing.
How Come
Some Masses are Indoors?
Its all
about the weather. If there is a threat
of rain within a roughly 2-hour time when Mass will be offered, we will hold
that Mass indoors. We never want to interrupt a Mass. The other reason is heat. We have found that temperatures above 85
degrees, in full sun, on the hot pavement (both of which make it much hotter
than 85 degrees), it is safer to use the church. Lately our 5:30 and Noon Masses have been
impacted with heat concerns.
What is
the Capacity of our Church?
This is an
example of being surprised by reality. Our
church can seat 700 people. 25% is 175 – except it does not work out that way. Yes, we blocked off 75% of our space but we
have found that does not translated into 25% attendance. We found space and people are like an apple
and an orange – they are quite different.
Our church is somewhat pie shaped
with different pew sizes, getting larger toward the rear. We
must maintain 6 feet separation between non-related folks. Families are welcome to crowd into the same
pew. What this means is that we max out
at about 85 people where families attend in great numbers and about 60 people
where there are many single people attending (like weekday Masses).
What Will
Happen if we Reach Capacity?
We have made
provisions for an overflow Mass in the school gym. The seats are set up with social distancing in
mind. Unfortunately, we can offer just
one overflow Mass each on Saturday and Sunday.
This is due to the lack of additional priests (priests should not say
more than two Masses in a day. They also often have wakes, funerals, weddings
and baptisms on weekends). Our plan is
to have an overflow Mass on Saturday at 5:30 pm and at the 10 AM Sunday Mass,
which is our most crowded. Anyone who is
advised that we have reached capacity when there is no overflow Mass is welcome
to stand outside, listen to the Mass on the speakers and receive Communion at
the end of Mass.
Why do
Ushers Have to Seat People inside the Church?
Due to the limited
capacity we have it is their job to put the puzzle together to make sure we are
efficiently using what limited space we have.
They are also making sure that proper distancing is being maintained.
Why Can’t
I Enter Church using the Side Door or Leave Using the Front Door?
We are
required to use a one-way traffic flow. We need to avoid parishioners coming into
face to face contact with each other.
The side doors are locked before Mass and the main doors are either
“coned off” or blocked by the ushers depending on how many ushers there
are. The ushers are required to enforce
this traffic flow. This kind of
procedure is done by churches, retail stores etc. We know that is it inconvenient,
but we do ask everyone’s support and cooperation as this is another way to keep
us safe.
Why do we
Need to Remove our Masks when Receiving Communion?
Most people
receive Communion by hand, which means you need to place the host in your
mouth. If you have to remove your mask
while holding the host, there is a greater likelihood of dropping it – and no
one wants to see this happen.
Why are
there Ushers Standing at the Front During Communion?
It is to
help the priest or the Eucharistic Minister.
Distributing Communion is an important ministry and doing it without
making any physical contact is difficult and it requires concentration. The priests cannot distribute Communion and
direct traffic at the same time, so we have asked our ushers to gently remind
people to remove their masks before receiving and to use the proper exits. The
ushers are there to assist everyone in the safe and reverent distribution of
Holy Communion.
Why are
there Ushers at Daily Mass?
Our ushers
have committed to have someone at every Mass to help with anything that may
come up that the priest cannot handle (remember, we do not want to interrupt
Mass ever) and to help with general traffic flow.
Why are
Ushers Wearing Lime Green Vests?
They are
called “high viz vests”. Ushers are in
the parking lot, exposed to traffic so it is done primarily for their
safety. However, with the wide expanse
of our outdoor church there is a big benefit in that the ushers are easy to
find in case of an emergency (and they happen).
Our ushers also carry 2-way radios when outdoors for emergencies. Yes, we do have emergencies during Mass.
What is
the Cooler doing Near the Music Tent?
It is not
refreshments for the priests or the music ministers! This is where we keep our medical kits. We want these items easily accessible if
needed.
Why are
there Cones Inside the Church?
They are
there to help guide people in the proper and safest traffic pattern to the
safest exit – they help in making it safe inside. We are operating under strict safety
requirements. The cones in the Narthex
are spaced about 6 feet apart so people can use them to guide their distancing
while they wait for an usher to seat them.
Aren’t
the Ushers Afraid of Close Contact with People?
You bet they
are, so they really appreciate everyone wearing a mask. Many ushers volunteer
even though they are in the vulnerable age group. It is a ministry for them, and they have a
strong desire to serve.
Why do we
Need to Wear Masks Outdoors?
Great
question because there is no state requirement in an outdoor environment except
when one cannot keep social distance. We
can require masks on our own authority, and we choose to do so. The Archdiocese also requested that we make
this requirement. Most of our
parishioners feel safer when everyone wears a mask. Finally, we like simple and
we want to have the same requirements and procedure whether we are indoors or
outdoors.
I have
not been to Mass Yet – is it really safe?
We cannot
answer that for you, but most people feel very safe outdoors. If you want to just try it, consider
attending a weekday Mass – you can stay by your car far away from
everyone. We would love to see you
again. However, even our most crowded
weekend Masses are safe – there is so much space available for everyone to be
safely spaced apart, but you may find more comfort with a smaller crowd. Just
check the weather or Flock notes to make sure Mass will be outdoors. Our 8:00 AM daily Mass will be always outdoors
unless it rains as heat is not an issue early in the morning.
Why no
Lectors/EM’s at Mass?
We have
decided to keep it simple for now. The less different people in the sanctuary,
the less chance for transmission. We have limited our ministry to clergy and
our deacon candidates, with our Resurrection Sisters as back-ups. All of them
are trying hard to stay safe and follow good safety practices.
A Final
Note
All must
understand that, in the end, there are risks to attending Mass. There is just no
way to make things 100% safe. That is why Mass attendance is still an option. The
biggest risk continues to be that many people are asymptomatic and may be
carrying the virus and spreading the virus without knowing it. Each person must
decide what level of risk they are able or willing to take. For some, because
of health concerns, they rarely leave the house. Others are OK with going food
shopping. Others are participating in outdoor dining. As you saw this week, if
clergy/minister has any symptoms consistent with the virus, they will promptly quarantine
themselves and get tested, but we cannot just shut the parish down unless the
virus indeed is spreading here. So please, if you have any symptoms, stay away,
pray at home and we will pray for you! But if you are comfortable, we always
love to see you at Mass. And together, let us pray for an end to this pandemic!
