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Welcome home!
We are adjusting our procedures for Mass gradually over the next few weeks, to allow for our already-returned parishioners to be able to accompany and help others, and for our new and newly returning parishioners to acclimate to in-person Mass attendance.
Please continue to be attentive to our weekly email as well as the directions of our Ushers and announcements and reminders before and at the conclusion of Mass over the next several weeks.
This weekend you will notice:- By order of the Arlington Board of Health, effective August 19, masks are required for all persons at all times when inside public spaces
- Mass Registration is not required.
- Ushers will greet people and help them to be seated starting 20 minutes prior to Mass.
- Capacity is at 100% however physically distanced seating will be maintained on the right side of each church to help people return to mass attendance with the least stress possible.
- We encourage a non-touching sign of peace (eye contact and a wave are appropriate).
- The minister distributing Holy Communion will wear a mask.
- Please be attentive to those who may be returning to Mass for the first time.
We will continue to process up the center aisle to receive the Eucharist, which we will distribute normally in the hand. Communion time is one of the five key processions in the Mass, so it is important for us to continue with this theologically rich liturgical action. It helps to remind us that we are pilgrims always on the move through this world, in procession to our heavenly homeland.
Those who have mobility concerns are asked to make their needs known to the ushers so that the ushers may assist best in seating and in the reverent reception of Holy Communion.
Masses are celebrated at both St. Camillus and St. Agnes Parishes- St. Camillus: Saturday at 4:30 PM, Sunday at 8:00 AM, and 10:00 AM.
- St. Agnes: Saturday at 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM, Sunday at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 12:00 PM.
- Daily Mass is celebrated at St. Agnes at 7:00 AM and at St. Camillus at 9:00 AM
Mass Arrival Procedures
- The main doors of the church will open 20 minutes prior to the start of Mass.
- Our parish staff and ushers will seat your household similar to boarding an airplane.
- You can drop your weekly offertory in the basket as you enter or as you depart.
- The church will be seated to fill the open pews from front to back.
- Pews on the right side of each church will be marked by rope and tape.
- The center sections will be seated first (followed by the two transepts at St. Agnes).
- There will be no seating in the choir lofts, narthex, prayer room, or cry room.
- The holy water fonts remain empty.
Mass Procedures- Masses will be conducted as you have seen on the Live Stream with reduced volunteer lay ministers. There will be no altar servers.
- Communion will be distributed during Mass.
- Parish staff and trained volunteers will serve as Ushers.
- There is to be no physical contact between households at the Sign of Peace or 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 and exit the church, but we strongly encourage online giving through online giving.
Communion Procedures- The precious blood will not be offered to the congregation.
- The use of personal hand sanitizer before communion is strongly encouraged.
- There will be two communion lines in the center, main aisle. Parish staff and volunteers will assist in ushering.
- If masks are worn in the communion line - After the priest offers you communion please remove your mask, consume the Eucharist, and then re-mask as you return to your pew by the side aisles.
Mass Departure Procedures- All exits will be utilized during departure.
- You can drop your weekly offertory in the basket as you depart.
Church Cleaning Procedures
- We will continue to implement cleanliness and sanitization practices, including cleaning pews each week.
- Disinfecting bathrooms, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces occur throughout the week.
- You are reminded to follow CDC recommendations regarding your own health. If you fall into an “at-risk” category, please stay home and join us by Live Stream.