Resuming Mass

Great news!  Archbishop Pérez has announced that parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be able to resume public Masses the weekend of June 6 and 7.  We at St. Matthews look forward to welcoming you back! Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we make our way back to the in person celebration of the Mass. 

While our county remains in the Yellow Phase of statewide reopening, all of us need to do our part to make sure that our return to Mass is a peaceful and safe experience for all. Please take the time to read the instructions below. We ask everyone to follow these guidelines when attending Mass during this period:

GENERAL POINTS

• The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation continues to be lifted during the Yellow Phase. You are not required to attend Mass at this time. 
• Please stay home if you are sick. 
• Please stay home if you are at higher risk of severe illness with COVID19. If you are uncertain about your risk status, please consult your doctor and also the CDC Guidelines at the link below.
  • Click here to read the CDC Guidelines for those at higher risk: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html
• Mass will continue to be available via live-stream. 
  • 4:30pm and 9:30 am.  If the church should reach capacity, parishioners are invited to attend a live stream in the parish hall at 4:30pm or 9:30am.

MASS SCHEDULE

• Regularly scheduled Masses—Vigil 4:30 pm  Confessions 3:30 – 4:15pm  Sunday 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30am.

BEFORE COMING TO MASS

• Please wash your hands for 20 seconds using soap and water.
• Before entering the Church, please put on a face mask or cloth covering. Exceptions to this are “children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, and anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance” (CDC Guidelines).
• Please do not come to Mass if you are sick or are at higher risk for severe illness with COVID19 (see above).
• Missalettes will not be in the pews during this period. You are welcome to bring your own missal/readings with you. 

ENTERING THE CHURCH

• All entrances will be open. 
• Hand sanitizers will be available at the Church entrances. Please use the hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the Church. 
• As Missalettes and Hymnals are not permitted in the pews at this time, you are welcome to bring your own or use your phone to follow mass. Reminder: Ushers will not hand out bulletins. They are available on the back tables and in the holders at the doors. If you take a bulletin take it home with you.  Please do not leave the bulletin in the pew.

SEATING

• When taking your seat, please honor all posted signs about where you may sit. Be mindful of proper social distancing. 
• Members of the same household may sit together as normal. Please place 6 feet between your household and members of a different household. 
• Ushers are present to assist with seating.

DURING MASS

• Only The Gathering Song at the entrance and Parts of the Mass will be sung at the 4:30 and 9:30 Mass.
• (1) “There will be no collection taken up during the Offertory” Baskets marked Parish Offering will be in front of the Sacred Heart and Blessed Mother altars as well as on the back tables.
• There will be no Sign of Peace during Mass during the Yellow Phase. 
• The Precious Blood will not be distributed during Mass during the Yellow Phase. 
• There should be no holding of hands during the Our Father.

RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

• There will be four communion stations- two in the front of church and two in the back of church. Ushers will direct your exit from the center aisle and return on the side aisles.  Respect proper social distancing as you approach the Eucharistic minister.  You receive Our Lord humbly in your hand.  Please remove your mask from the one side as you approach the Eucharistic Minister. If you are wearing gloves they should be removed for the reception of Holy Communion. 
• Please maintain social distancing in the Communion line. Please keep several pews between yourself and the person in front of you while in line and when returning to your pew.
• During the Yellow Phase, the faithful are asked to receive Holy Communion in the hand. 
• Please remove your mask before receiving Holy Communion. 

EXITING THE CHURCH

• At the conclusion of Mass, please exit the Church and proceed directly to your car. Please do not congregate for any reason. 
• Please take a parish bulletin home with you or access it online.
• Please leave your mask on until you exit the Church. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

St. Matthews will follow the guidelines from the CDC for sanitation as we resume public Masses.  

• To view the CDC guidelines, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/faith-based.html

CONFESSIONS

The Sacrament of Reconciliation(Penance) will be celebrated to the left of the Blessed Mother altar up front in church.  There is a light above the door marking the entrance. Due to the virus there will be no face to face Confession Saturday evenings.  While awaiting for your confession to be heard social distancing is to be respected.