Be Safe and Healthy Here at Saint John
Saint John the Evangelist Clergy, Staff, and Ministers care about your health and safety, especially at times like now, with the spike in Flu cases and the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world. We keep in constant communication with the Diocese of Venice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure we understand the potential and true risks and preventative measures needed for our Parish Family. As such, we have instituted several proactive procedures for the well-being of our community:
- Refraining from providing the Precious Blood as part of Communion: We believe as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that Jesus is fully present in the form of the host, and so we have been providing only the Eucharist during Communion.
- Provide a Sign of Peace Through a Form Most Comfortable to You: That can be as a bow or hand gesture instead of a handshake or hug. Holding hands during the recitation of the Our Father should also be a personal decision on whom you would touch.
- Communion on the Tongue Available Via Priests: In order to reduce the potential spread of any pathogen, if you wish to receive the Eucharist on the Tongue, please line up for Communion with a priest, rather than our Eucharistic Ministers. It is highly recommended that you receive by the hand instead of the tongue for the proactive health of all our Parish Family members.
- Clergy and Liturgical Ministers New Hygiene Procedures: We have instituted new procedures that include hand-washing and sanitizing stations as part of their efforts to ensure the health of all our Parish Family and Friends that attend Mass. You will notice sanitizer locations around the Altar as well as in the Sacristy.
- Offertory Gifts to be Provided at the End of Mass: Ushers will be posted at the exit doors of the church for you to drop your envelopes or gifts into the baskets, rather than passing them through the pews.
- Removal of Holy Water Fonts From Doors: We have removed the Holy Water Fonts from the doors as a precaution from spreading various contaminants.
- Hand Sanitizer Stations Around Campus: You will notice hand sanitizer stations located around campus, especially in high traffic locations. Everyone is encouraged to use these, as long as they do not impact your own health (for example, Eczema patients cannot use alcohol-based gels)
- Take Your Bulletin With You: As we have removed the Missal books from the pews, the bulletin will be your primary text for the Mass. Please remember to take it with you after Mass as we are no longer recycling them for the next Mass.
- Exercise Your Own Judgement: If you are concerned that you have a health risk for congregating in large groups (compromised immune system, age, etc.), please do not feel obligated to attend Mass. In fact, the Bishop has provided a dispensation from attending for all the Faithful until further notice. You are not going to be in a state of mortal sin for not attending Mass. Instead, we recommend you watch our Mass online, as we have our streaming service available and will stream all weekend Masses.
- If You Feel Ill, Please Stay Home: If you feel like you are sick, please stay home and take care of yourself (or your loved one, if they are ill). Again, you will not be considered to be in a state of mortal sin for missing Mass, and you will be ensuring the health of your fellow Parish Family members.
- All Events and Activities Suspended on Campus: All meetings, events, programs, and activities have been suspended until further notice for all age groups. All Masses, Services, and Sacraments will continue to be provided both virtually and in person during their normal schedule.
Please stay tuned here for more information on our public health and safety protocols for our Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist. Below you will find the most up-to-date information from the CDC: