Church Reopening Information

The following three-phased “reopening” will be implemented at St. Vincent Ferrer.

Phase 1 – As of Monday, May 18, the church will be open weekdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for private prayer and visits by the faithful. For the safety and concern of all, face masks must be worn when in church. The Chapel, however, because of its limited seating capacity, will remain closed. The Sacrament of Penance will be available on Saturdays as usual by entering the East Door of the church. Social distancing and face masks are necessary.

Phase 2 – As of Monday, May 25, the weekday Mass schedule will resume.

Phase 3 – As of the weekend of May 30-31, Pentecost Sunday, the regular weekend Mass schedule will resume. In order to ensure the health and welfare of all, when visiting the church or attending any service, the following protocols will be carefully observed for the common good:

• Please do not touch, adjust or remove the rope barriers.
• Appropriate social distancing will be observed. Except for families and couples, this means a spacing of 6 feet and the use of every other pew.
• Face masks must be worn while in church except for the moment of receiving Holy Communion. Appropriate hand sanitizers and safety wipes should be used. One must be careful to sanitize hands after arriving in church, before reception of Holy Communion, and after leaving church. Care must also be taken not to touch one’s face during the service.
• Holy water fonts will remain empty.
• There will be no altar servers for the present time.
• Hymnals will not be available at this time. Take home any missalettes.
• The priest or deacon will give a brief homily from the ambo or sanctuary but not in the midst of the congregation.
• There will be no offertory procession for the presentation of the gifts.
• The line for the reception of Holy Communion will also follow appropriate distancing. Communicants are required to receive the Blessed Sacrament in the hands only.
• Except for the celebrant, there will be no reception of the Precious Blood during this time.
• The priest, deacon or extraordinary minister will wear a face mask for the distribution of Holy Communion. No gloves will be worn by the minister or communicant.
• There will be no invitation for the sign of peace, greeting of peace before Mass or the holding of hands during the Our Father. These gestures are optional anyhow.
• There will be no collections taken during the Mass. However, there will be collection baskets at the entrance of the church or by the sanctuary to place your offerings. It is also recommended that online and electronic contributions be utilized. While the economic limitation imposed by this situation may be limiting to some, the continued support of our parish for the service of our faithful is needed and appreciated.
• There will be ushers and parish assistants available in the church to help accommodate these protocols.
• There will be as few people as possible in the sacristy before and after Mass. There can be no public gatherings before or after
• The faithful will be asked to leave the church immediately after Mass to allow sufficient time for sanitizing and cleaning. The church will be appropriately sanitized between Masses.
• When in doubt, always err in the side of caution.
• The live streaming of Masses in our parish will continue on Sundays only at 9:00 am.
• Beginning Saturday, June 6, a NEW MASS SCHEDULE for WEEKENDS will take effect.
• • Saturday Vigil – 4:00 PM
  • Sunday – 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM (live-streamed), 11:00 AM & 5:30 PM (Lifeteen)

“No one has the right to endanger the life of another even unknowingly by demanding Communion on the tongue when the persons following could be exposed to a virus of which the oral recipient is not yet aware. There is a great tradition in our faith of ‘sacrifice.’ I make the sacrifice to receive in a way that protects the whole community. Moreover, how does one respect the Sacred Species if one is willing to burden it with the possibility of contagion?”

Fr. Mike Nolan, JCL, DMin, Office of Worship, Wichita, KS

***ALL ON-SITE PARISH EVENTS EXCEPT MASSES ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE***

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. It is the greatest gift anyone can give. ~St. Teresa of Calcutta