Contributed by Tri-Parish Catholic Community
Public Masses are coming again! Bishop Callahan has given permission for weekend Mass to once again be offered publicly beginning on Pentecost weekend, May 30–31. This is a first step. If it goes well, we can expect weekday Masses to also be offered publicly within a few weeks.
The entire, usual weekend Mass schedule will be offered in the Tri-Parishes. However, because churches are limited to 25 percent capacity, all Masses will be offered at St. Mary’s with a capacity for 125 participants, except for the 6 p.m. Saturday Mass at St. Augustine in Norwalk. The schedule at St. Mary’s will be Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 12 noon (Latin Mass).
Note that weekend Masses will return to Sacred Heart when and if allowable capacity and numbers attending make it possible. The current 25 percent capacity would only allow 65 of the usual 115–120 people expected at a 4 p.m. Mass to attend; a 10 a.m. Mass typically welcomes 140–155 people.
This will work in Sacred Heart’s favor, as the long-awaited renovation of the old entry and bell tower stairwell is now taking place. Thus, it is a bit of a mess in there at the moment.
Attendance is by reservation only. So, if you would like to attend one of our weekend Masses, please call or email the parish office, which is now open from 8 a.m. to 12 noon Monday through Thursday, at 654-5654 or smash3psecretary@mwt.net. Your reservation will be taken and then confirmed.
Please know that all reasonable steps are being taken to ensure a sanitary environment is maintained, as it has in our churches throughout this pandemic. This will include daily sanitizing, and on weekends, sanitizing between Masses. Social distancing is also a serious consideration in our practices.
The Tri-Parishes joyfully looks forward to celebrating Holy Mass in public again beginning on Pentecost weekend.
