St. Bartholomew Catholic Church

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Dear Friends,

On behalf of the staff of St. Bartholomew, I want to thank you again for your compassion and patient understanding during this pandemic. The restrictions and closures have been difficult, but they have also shown many beautiful and creative ways people have adapted to the situation. We believe we are at the point that we can safely reopen the Church as long as we follow the three keys: respect social distance, wear face masks and maintain clean hands.

 The Coronavirus is still very much present and active in our community. Attending any public gathering has inherent risk. The phased reopening and precautions we are taking are to minimize this risk.  We recognize that the reopening will not be perfect and may need to be modified as we go forward. Below are some of the health and safety precautions that we are asking people to follow to in order to keep everyone safe as we reopen.

I look forward to seeing you soon…at a proper distance, wearing a face mask and with clean hands.  We will not be able to see the beautiful smiles behind the masks or share a hug, but our love of neighbor, abundant charity and warm community will shine through!   No virus known to mankind will be able to take that away from us!

Blessings,

Fr. Chris

HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

• Out of an abundance of charity and love of neighbor, facemasks are required in the Church.  Please bring your own facemask. A limited number of disposable masks will be available at the entrances.
• THOSE WHO ARE 65 AND OVER, AND THOSE WITH HIGH-RISK HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO STAY AT HOME. IT IS OUT OF LOVE FOR YOU THAT WE MAKE THIS REQUEST! 
• THOSE WHO ARE SYMPTOMATIC OR HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 SHOULD NOT ENTER THE CHURCH UNTIL RELEASED TO DO SO BY THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.  
• The dispensation from the obligation to participate at Mass on Sunday’s has been extended thru August 15, 2020.
• The Precious Blood will NOT be offered for the foreseeable future.  
• Music books and printed materials have been removed from the Church. Music will be limited and no participatory music will be sung during Mass.
• Social distancing of 6’ must be observed. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, and for your safety, ushers will direct you to a seat. Families who live together can sit closer than 6’. The Sanctuary pews are marked with blue tape to indicate proper social distances. Please observe the markings and adhere to the social distancing rules. 
• Seating capacity in the main Sanctuary will be limited. Current configuration of the Church and Narthex will allow safe seating for 194 people.  Overflow seating will be available in the Parish Hall where the Eucharist will be made available.  A livestream of the Mass will be shown in the Parish Hall and on our YouTube Channel.
• Given that seating in the Church will be very limited, we encourage people to consider attending a different Mass time during the week.
• If there is no seating available inside the building, families may wish to remain in their cars and participate via YouTube Live on your personal devices. The Eucharist WILL be made available to anyone participating in the parking lot. A Communion line will be formed near the main doors.
• Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer. Sanitizer stations are available in the Narthex.