Procedures for Resuming Public Sacraments

The Bishops of the Ohio Catholic Conference have dispensed the faithful of the Diocese of Columbus from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass indefinitely. We want to emphasize that anyone who is at increased risk of complications from COVID-19, who is sick in any way, or who simply does not feel safe being in public is not obligated to attend Mass. We need to emphasize, as well, that anyone in those categories is always dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass, even when the Bishop has not made a formal declaration.

Further, we ask that if you are experiencing any symptoms that include a cough, fever, and/or fatigue for any reason (even if you’re sure it’s allergies), to stay home. We appreciate the great longing to attend Mass again, and we understand that many of you with mild symptoms will feel “well enough,” but please, out of charity for others in our parish family, do not come until you are completely well. 

1. Put on your mask before entering the church building.
2. Doors to the church will be propped open so that you don't have to touch them.
3. Sanitize your hands before entering the church building. We will have hand sanitizer stations near the entrance to the building, but ask that you bring your own hand sanitizer if you can.
4. We have blocked off every other pew; do not sit in a marked off pew. Please sit as far as you can (6 feet minimum) from the next person or family in the pew.
5. We have removed all books and paper products from the pews, but we encourage you to follow the readings and Mass parts with an app on your phone, such as Laudate or iBreviary. You can also find the readings at USCCB.org.

1. Leave your mask on until you approach the priest. Unhook it from one ear or untie it enough to expose your mouth, and then replace it after receiving Communion.
2. We will not be offering the Precious Blood. The Precious Body will be distributed in either the hand or on the tongue. No matter how you receive, please take great care not to touch the Communion minister. If you receive in the hand, open your non-dominant hand flat, with your dominant hand underneath it. Leave your hand flat as the Communion minister places the host in your hand. Once his hand is clear, use your dominant hand to pick up the host and place it in your mouth. If you receive on the tongue, open your mouth widely and stick your tongue out so that the minister can place the host in your mouth without touching you.
3. Communion on the tongue will only be available from a priest. Priests will generally be stationed at the main aisle and at the aisle nearest the baptismal font. If you want to receive Communion on the tongue, please plan to sit in one of these sections.
4. We will have only three Communion lines: one in the middle aisle and one in each of the two side aisles. Pews on either side of the aisle will alternate joining the Communion line, taking great care to leave several feet of space between family groups.

Beginning the weekend of May 30/31, we will resume our normal weekend Confession schedule, Wednesdays at 7:00-7:30 am, Saturdays at 4 pm, and Sundays at 11 am, and no appointment will be necessary. Confessions will be held in the confessionals, but will be behind the screen only. Please stand or kneel when you make your confession.

The church building is open for private prayer starting at 6:30 am. We also have Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesdays and Fridays, 5 pm to 9 pm. If you come for private prayer or adoration, please wear a mask, bring hand sanitizer, and maintain social distance from other people. Only certain pews will be available so that we can more easily determine which areas need to be sanitized.