St. Joachim -  St. John the Evangelist

 
If you are at heightened risk for contracting Covid, it may not be a good idea to return to Mass just yet.  Please know, though, that we are taking every precaution we can to ensure a safe return for everyone:

• masks are required in church.  Please cover nose & mouth.
• hand sanitizers are available at the entrance
• ushers are present as you enter church to explain how the seating works and to show you to your seat
• pews are clearly marked to maintain proper distancing
• the pews / chairs are cleaned in between Masses 
• at communion time, the priest / deacon / Eucharistic minister sanitizes his or her hands, wears a mask, and comes to each person individually to distribute communion (in other words, there is no procession to receive communion, everyone remains in the pews). 
• unfortunately, we need to keep the restrooms closed for the time being.

 
Besides Sunday Mass:
Weekday Masses have also resumed: 7am at St. Joachim and 8am at St. John, an hour later in each church on Saturdays.  The early Mass usually has 10-15 in the congregation, the later 20-30.
Confessions are at St. John Saturdays from 4:30-5:15pm in the sacristy. For the next few weeks, Confessions will NOT be scheduled at St. Joachim – we are trying to make a space there that allows for proper distancing.  If you would like Confession during the week, please call the parish office (838-0915), a priest is available.
St. John’s is open every day from 7am (8am Saturdays) until 8pm for private prayer and meditation.
Lectio Divina (praying with the Sunday Gospel) happens online every Monday from 7:30-8:10pm via Zoom.  The link for the room is posted on Facebook each week (the link changes each week), we can also email you a link if you contact us.
The rosary is livestreamed on Facebook at 7:30pm on Tuesdays.  You are also welcome to come and pray the rosary in person – we switch back and forth from the outdoor statues of Our Lady at St. Joachim and St. John (this week, we’re at St. John). 
Eucharistic Adoration from St. John is livestreamed on Facebook every other Friday, from 7-7:30pm.  You are very welcome to come in person as well –the next adoration is Friday, June 3^rd.
First Friday Eucharistic Adoration returns on June 3^rd.  There is a sign-up list in the back of the church. 

 
It’s clear that it will take some time for the parish to resume a somewhat normal schedule.  Eventually, there will be guidelines for parish groups to begin meeting again, but that is still a bit in the future.  We are working on scheduling the postponed First Communions, Confirmations, and RCIA sacraments.  We’re also trying to plan for the safe reopening of our Religious Formation Program.  I’ll keep you updated as things develop.
 

-- Fr. Richard Smith
 

WELCOME BACK!!!

We are looking forward to welcoming our parish family back for Sunday Masses this weekend, June 20/21st. To help you navigate a few changes here’s a sneak peak at the seating layout of both churches and what to expect when you arrive.

• All must use main entrance only. (Unless you NEED elevator assistance)
• Please use hand sanitizer from our new dispensers upon arrival. 
• Face masks must be on at ALL times. We know masks are not our favorites, but it’s out of love for all. Please cover nose & mouth. Except for when receiving Holy Communion of course. Please lower your mask just before the Priest/Deacon or Eucharist Minister comes to you. For Sunday Masses the Priest will come to you at each pew, instead of forming a line.

Seating:
Please sit in open/green marked pews ONLY. Please sit on either side of the open pew, leaving center blue marked area open = 6 feet! That’s about 3 adults per side. Do not sit in the center of the pew.

IMPORTANT PLEASE come to Mass as family units, if you split up we can then only sit 1-2 people on either side of the pew and we lose capacity. Sit only with those you LIVE with. We know, we all miss each other but it’s just for a little while. Remember we only have 25% capacity at the moment. Please help us. We will have double Masses in the lower hall at St. John’s and the gym at St. Joachim’s for overflow.

Front pews are reserved for those with mobility restrictions that need the elevator.
 

Distribution of Holy Communion:

DAILY MASS: Please stand on the red markings on the isle = 6 feet apart.

SUNDAY MASS: Please stay in your pew, the Priest will come to you. Keep your masks on until it’s time to receive. Please receive reverently in your hand only.

Exiting:

Please exit the church from the rear toward the front. Being considerate of those waiting in the pews. We have to limit lines at the door to exit. We appreciate your patience.

Also, for Sunday Masses, Ushers will be helping you to your seats when you arrive. Please be patient and check in with ushers for seating assistance.

We’ve tried to make this as easy as possible. Any questions comment below we’d be happy to clarify. Please share with others and help us spread the word.

And remember....this is only temporary. Welcome back!

*** ATTENTION ***