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Spring 2021
To our parishioners and guests:
One year into the COVID pandemic, we mourn the loss of more than 2.6 million lives, including well over a half-million Americans.
Although vaccine distribution is increasing, we remain careful at St. John's. We ask those who are fortunate enough to have been vaccinated to maintain precautions for the sake of those who haven't.
We want to keep you updated on our parish COVID protocols, so that you and your loved ones may continue to worship with us safely. Every parish has its own directives, and we want you to feel safe and confident about ours.
First, please be aware that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has establsihed guidelines for liturgical practices during COVID, but also gives pastors wide latitude to establish additional measures that they consider in the best interest of their parish.
This pastoral discretion is why you will see differences in practices from parish to parish -- sometimes, even significant differences in neighboring parishes. For example, some churches have congregational singing; others do not. Some have resumed filling their holy water fonts; others have not.
From the beginning of the pandemic, Fr. Ed Hallinan, our pastor, has put the health and safety of our parishioners, volunteers and staff first. As a result, our COVID practices remain among the most cautious in our community.For
example, while face masks are now optional in some churches, they are still required at St. John’s, even by our lectors, altar servers, and Communion ministers. Lectors who have been fully vaccinated may now remove their mask during the proclaiming of Scripture. The deacon and priest are also generally masked during Mass, although all regular and visiting clergy have now been fully vaccinated. Fr. Ed may remove his Mass for the consecration prayer and homily, when he is 10-20 feet away from others.
Please note: Individuals experiencing symptoms of any illness, regardless of fever, should not attend Mass.
This includes funerals, weddings and sacraments.In our church, you'll find:
- Pews roped off to provide distancing between families and to limit capacity;
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Teams of workers sanitizing all areas (altar, music area and pews) after every Mass;
- A shield for cantors; and
- Open windows and doors to increase circulation and fresh air.
During Mass:
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We do not have choral or congregational singing.
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Ministers are distanced on the altar.
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The gifts are not brought forward during the Offertory.
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Waves and smiles have replaced handshakes at the Sign of Peace.
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The sanctuary and altar have multiple containers of hand sanitizer, which all liturgical ministers use throughout Mass as needed.
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Communion lines are single file and marked for distancing. Each Communion minister has a personal station with hand sanitizer.
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At Masses with a cantor, the cantor and lector use different microphones. The cantor also has a shield. Our 8 am Sunday Mass does not have a cantor.
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Seating is not permitted in the pews nearest the cantor and lectors.
These measures apply to every liturgy, including sacramental Masses, funerals and weddings.
We believe these practices have made a difference in our parish health and safety.
When the pastor and two staff members contracted COVID in November, the parish followed every health requirement and recommendation, and had no report of a spread to parishioners. In addition, we communicated this situation fully and immediately to our parishioners, as we pledge to do always.
We understand that everyone (even medical professionals) has a different "comfort zone" for COVID, including at church. If you are concerned about attending Mass, please join us online. Our 8 am Mass is live streamed Tuesday through Friday and on Sunday on our YouTube Channel and our Facebook page.
Meanwhile, if you would like to join us at church, we welcome you, and many people have returned safely and happily. We are not close to our limited capacity, and our 11:30 Sunday Mass and 8 am weekday Masses have the lightest attendance.
As we continue to pray for an end to this devastating pandemic, we will continue to put the health and safety of our worshipers first. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can assist you in any way. May God bless you and your families, and keep you safe.