Reopening OLMC

• Bishop Doherty has given a dispensation from attending Sunday Mass until November 1. This means you are not obligated to attend Mass until then; however, "to be dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass does not mean people should stay away from Church or fail to keep holy the Lord’s Day" (Bishop Doherty).

• Sunday Mass will continue to be streamed online (5:30 p.m. Saturday; 11.am. and 7 p.m.).

Effective Saturday, August 1, until further notice

• All Masses will be in the church

• Online reservations are not needed to attend Mass

• Face coverings required at the 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass and whenever 6-foot distancing between households cannot be maintained (see details below)

• Bring a cleaning cloth every time you come to church (see details below)

Weekend Mass Schedule

• Saturday
  • 5:30 p.m.
    • Special Mass for those in high-risk categories for COVID-19
    • Face coverings required, and extreme social distancing
  • 6:45 p.m. (masks required if 6-foot distancing not possible)

• Sunday (masks required if 6-foot distancing not possible)
  • 7 a.m.
  • 8 a.m.
  • 9:30 a.m. (one of the fullest Masses; masks will be required)
  • 11 a.m. (one of the fullest Masses; masks will be required)
  • 12:30 p.m.
  • 5:30 p.m.
  • 7 p.m. (Spanish)

Weekday Mass Schedule

• 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m.; Monday - Friday (masks required if 6-foot distancing not possible)

• Governor Holcomb’s Executive Order 20-37 requires face coverings in public gatherings, but religious services are exempt if 6-foot distancing can be maintained (point #4.o.). Bishop Doherty’s most recent policy (June 26) is the same.
• Therefore, as an act of charity to neighbor, we highly recommend voluntarily wearing a cloth face covering to Mass, since many people are gathered together for an extended period of time.
• In any case, PLEASE bring a mask with you at all times to be prepared.  If we cannot maintain social distancing, we must all wear face coverings.

• Whenever possible, we must still maintain a 6-foot distance between households at all Masses.  Pews are marked at 6-foot intervals to assist with this.  When this is not possible, face coverings must be worn.

• It is now clear that COVID-19 measures will be in place for the long haul. As a parish family, the only way we can sustain the rigorous disinfecting of surfaces with 14 or more Masses each week is if we all pitch in, like the family we are.
• Therefore, effective August 1, PLEASE BRING A CLEANING CLOTH WITH YOU EVERY TIME YOU COME TO MASS OR A CHURCH EVENT.  Spray bottles of an approved disinfectant will be available in the pews, but it is each person or family’s responsibility to disinfect your own area – any surface you may have touched with your hands.
• Extra cloths will be available in the narthex if you forget, but please develop this habit: bring a mask and a cloth every time you come to church.

• The Roman Missal for the United States specifies reception of Communion in the hand or on the tongue as normative, but in this time of COVID-19, our diocese strongly recommends Communion in the hand to help keep our clergy and ministers healthy.
• You are encouraged to disinfect your hands just before Communion. Please bring your own hand sanitizer.
• However, for those who still determine to receive on the tongue, the Bishop has instructed that you please wait until the very end of the line, and then we ask you to go to the Priest for Communion on the tongue, not to one of the other ministers.

• Several factors increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission:
  • Breathing, coughing, or sneezing droplets from one person to another
    • Speaking and singing are also means of transmission of droplets, and even more so of aerosols. The consensus is to avoid group singing for the time being.
  • Surface to hand to face transmission of the virus.
    • Thus, all the hymnals and Missals have been removed from church. 
  • Concentration of a number of people in an enclosed space
    • Thus our 6-foot distancing whenever possible and use of only one singer
  • Length of time those people are together in that enclosed space.
    • Thus, even the cantor’s singing is limited to just the time needed to accompany the liturgical action (e.g. Entrance Antiphon).

Remember: 

• Bring a face covering and hand sanitizer with you.
• Bring a cleaning cloth with you.
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!

Times (all on Saturday)
 8:30 - 10 a.m.
 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
 6:30 p.m. (after Mass) until all are heard

Location
 OLMC church (enter through Door D by the adoration chapel, south end)
 

Important Notes

• Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing while waiting in line.

• Currently, face to face is not an option.

• Please be brief in your confession. Remember that confession is not a time for small talk, but to confess sins and how many times you did them. Please be concise and prepare ahead of time as an act of charity to those waiting in line.

To sign up as a scheduled adorer or serve as a substitute, click here.

If you do not feel well or experiencing a fever, cough, or respiratory symptoms, please do not visit the chapel until your symptoms subside.

Important Notes

• The chapel is limited to eight adorers at a time. The seats are blocked off to ensure social distancing. If there are eight adorers present when you arrive, please wait outside the building/in your car until one person leaves.

• Masks are optional but encouraged.

• Adorers are responsible for keeping the chapel and restrooms clean. Cleaning wipes will be available. Please clean anything that you touch, especially your seat area right before you leave, door handles, and sink or toilet handles.

• You may bring your own books and materials for reflection; however, please take all of your belongings with you when you leave the chapel.

• All exterior doors to the church building will be closed with the exception of the double doors adjacent to the chapel. (Doors will be open during Mass for restroom use). Utilize the ramp, if necessary, as the elevator will not be accessible. A swipe card or fab is still needed to enter the building between 10 p.m. - 6 a.m.

  Other Suggested Steps for Sanitation
 

• Before entering the chapel, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water in the restroom, or at a minimum use hand sanitizer.

• Use your elbow to activate the automatic door to minimize surface contact.

• Maintain social distancing by occupying an open seat at either end of the back row of the prayer benches.

• Minimize touching surfaces with your hand (e.g. use your feet to move the kneelers up and down)

• Wipe off the door handles, or use a wipe to open the door

• Discard your sanitizing wipes in the bins provided.

• Wash hands thoroughly before leaving.

If you need to leave the chapel for any reason - including the conclusion of your Holy Hour - and no one is remaining there to keep watch:

• A blessed cover is located on the table inside the chapel next to the automatic handicap door. You may cover the Blessed Sacrament before leaving.

• If you arrive and the Blessed Sacrament is covered, remove the cover, return it to the box, and begin your time of adoration.

Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
 

• Please enter through Door F (by blue awnings) when visiting the office.

• Masks are required in the building when 6-foot social distancing cannot be maintained.

• Those that hold meetings in the lower level are expected to clean all things touched once the meeting has concluded. Paper towels and spray are provided.