We are looking forward to celebrating Mass in community at both our churches, starting this Thursday, May 28^th with 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Agnes Church. With this happy news also comes a responsibility to keep each other safe during this unprecedented time.  As a community, we must follow the federal, state, local, and Archdiocesan guidelines that are designed to protect us from the spread of COVID-19 as we reunite in our churches.
The following information details the requirements for attending Mass in the Reading Catholic Community churches. The procedures outlined will likely be updated as we learn each week how to manage attendance at our churches, and as we move through the various Phases of the State of Massachusetts re-opening plan.
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
To attend Mass safely, we appreciate your patience and cooperation in following the best practices and safety procedures outlined below.
If you question whether or not you should attend Mass in person, we ask that you assess your personal health. If you are not feeling well, please stay home. If you fall into the CDC “higher risk” category, you might consider waiting before returning to Mass in person. Keep in mind:

• The dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation will continue for the foreseeable future.
• Cardinal Sean strongly encourages people in vulnerable populations, especially those that are 65+, and those with complicating physical conditions, to continue to watch Mass from their homes.
• Members of the Reading Catholic Community can watch our daily and Sunday Masses at  https://readingcatholic.org/rcc-broadcasts

 
MASS SCHEDULE
Live-Stream Mass
Daily Mass is live-streamed at 9:00 a.m. each weekday.  On May 31 ^st, the Reading Catholic Community will begin live-streaming the 11:00 a.m. Mass for those who will attend Mass from home. During the live-stream and following the broadcast, the Mass is accessible on https://readingcatholic.org/rcc-broadcasts

Church Masses
The current Mass schedule is:

•   4:00 p.m. Saturday, St. Athanasius
•   9:00 a.m. Sunday, St. Agnes
• 10:00 a.m. Sunday, St. Athanasius
• 11:00 a.m. Sunday, St. Agnes (This Mass is also live-streamed)

Note:  The 7:30 a.m. Mass is suspended at this point, due to the time required to sanitize the church between Masses.  The 5:30 p.m. Mass is no longer being celebrated, as Confirmation classes are not in session.
 
CHURCH CAPACITY & SEATING
Per State regulations, the upper limit for church gatherings is 40% of total church capacity. What must be considered when calculating the actual number of available seats per Mass, are the social distancing requirements set forth by state and local governments.  When we apply the six-foot distancing requirements to our spaces, the minimum available seats at each church are approximately 60 seats at St. Agnes and 80 seats at St. Athanasius.  
Keep in mind, the actual number of people we can accommodate in each Mass will vary, based on how many individuals from a single household attend Mass together. A family of six (members can sit next to each other) would occupy one pew where only 3 separate individuals might fit with social distancing requirements.
 
MASS ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES (Download pdf here)
 
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• Mass attendance will be first come, first served, until capacity is reached.
• The doors of the church will open 15 minutes prior to the Mass.  We recommend you arrive no more than 20 to 25 minutes ahead of Mass.
• Please follow the directions of the Attendants in all protocols for Mass attendance: while waiting to enter the church, in being seated, during Holy Communion, when exiting the church, and while leaving the church property.
• No further attendees will be admitted once the church capacity is reached, or once the Mass has begun.
• Due to social distancing requirements, there are no “common areas” available to Mass attendees. Those attending Mass are expected to remain in their pew and move out of the pew as directed for Communion and departure from the church (although the bathrooms in each church are available if needed.)

 
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

• Wash and sanitize your hands.
• Wear a face mask, which is required on church property from the time you leave your vehicle, until you return to your vehicle. Masks are required for adults as well as children six and older. For children between age 2 and 5, the wearing of a face covering or mask is at the discretion of the child’s parent or guardian. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a face covering or mask.
• Bring your own hand sanitizer that can be used before receiving Holy Communion. 

MASS ARRIVAL & PARTICIPATION PROCEDURES

• Entry to the church will be through the Handicap accessible doors of each church.
• Line up along the marked area outside the church entrance, practicing social distancing and wearing your mask. 
• Each household will be directed by the Attendant to enter the building. Please do not enter or leave through any other doors unless it is an emergency.
• There is no Holy Water in the fonts at this time and none available to take home.
• The church will be filled from front to back upon entrance. You will be seated in every other/every third pew and spaced at social distancing in the pew itself.  Please follow the seating instructions of the Attendants as we learn to maximize capacity for singles, couples, and larger family groups.
• There will be no hymnals available in the churches for use by parishioners, as singing by the congregation is not permitted by Archdiocesan rules. Further, distribution of any printed material to the congregation is also prohibited.
• There is to be NO physical contact between households at the Sign of Peace, and NO hand holding during the Lord’s Prayer.
• Baskets will not be passed during the offertory. You will be able to place your weekly gift in a basket as you enter or exit the church, but we strongly encourage online giving on our website. www.readingcatholic.org. We appreciate how faithfully you have supported our Church community.

  HOLY COMMUNION PROCEDURES

• You will be instructed to come forward for the reception of Holy Communion by the Attendants, who will direct you row by row, in single file down the center aisle. 
• All congregants will move out of their pews and process forward to receive Holy Communion or a blessing. In this way, everyone will maintain their position in the pew and no one will have to climb over anyone else.
• Masks should be worn in the Communion line, keeping a distance of six feet. Use of personal hand sanitizer before Communion is strongly encouraged.
• Neither the priest nor the communicants should wear gloves during the distribution of Holy Communion.
• Holy Communion will be distributed in your hand to protect the spread of the virus through the hands of the clergy and Eucharistic Ministers. 
• After you receive Holy Communion please step to the side, adjust your mask to consume the Eucharist, and then re-mask as you proceed back to your pew. 

 
  MASS DEPARTURE PROCEDURES

• After the final blessing, parishioners must remain in their pew.

• After the clergy have processed out of the sanctuary, Attendants will begin to direct parishioners from the pews, to exit from either the front or back of the building.  
• You must exit your pew when directed by the Attendant; private prayer is not available after Sunday Masses, in order to allow the church to be sanitized and reset for the next Mass.
• We have provided baskets for your convenience to drop off your offertory donations.  We appreciate your faithfulness and generosity at this difficult time.
• Please do not congregate outside, but head directly to your vehicle to allow the next Mass to start on time.

 
CHURCH CLEANING PROCEDURES
We will continue to implement cleanliness and sanitation practices, including cleaning pews in between every Mass; disinfecting bathrooms, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces will occur throughout the day.