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January 2021
To our parishioners and guests:
By the end of 2020, the COVID pandemic had claimed more than 300,000 American lives in nine months, with many more people ill and at risk.
Therefore, we want to clarify our parish response to COVID and our continued guidelines and requirements, so that you can worship safely.
Every organization (and even every parish) has its own directives, and we want you to feel safe and confident about ours here at St. John’s.
First, please be aware that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has established 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 current practices from parish to parish -- sometimes, even significant differences in neighboring parishes. For example, some churches have congregational singing; others do not. Some have refilled 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 masks are now optional in some churches, they are always required at St. John’s, even by our lectors, altar servers, and Communion ministers. The deacon and priest are also masked during Mass.
In addition, please note:
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Pews remain roped off to ensure distancing between families and to limit capacity.
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Teams of workers sanitize the church (altar, music area and pews) after every Mass.
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Windows and doors are open during Mass to increase circulation and fresh air.
During Mass:
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St. John's does not have choral or congregational singing.
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Servers, lectors, and clergy 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 are marked for social distancing.
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Each Communion minister has a personal station with hand sanitizer.
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At Masses with a cantor, the cantor and lectors use different locations and different microphones. Also, please note that there is no cantor at the 8 am Mass.
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Seating is not permitted in the pews nearest the cantor and lectors.
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Servers, lectors and Communion ministers no longer gather in the sacristy before Mass.
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 you, and kept you updated, which we will continue to do going forward. 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! We are not close to our limited capacity, and our 11:30 Sunday Mass and 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. -