St. Mary's Catholic Church

St. Mary's Catholic Church is beginning the resumption of parish activities. RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has sickened thousands and killed hundreds in Oklahoma. There is substantial evidence of community spread of COVID19 throughout Oklahoma and most other states. [Name of parish] is following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Oklahoma State Department of Health and other agencies, and has implemented social distancing measures, increased hand-washing and other hygienic practices, and frequent cleaning of common surfaces. Despite such precautions, the risks associated with transmission of COVID-19 remain high. Individuals participating in an activity may have traveled from other cities or states to participate. In addition, the nature of some activities makes it impossible to observe all of the recommended precautions all of the time; for example, individuals will not always be six feet apart, surfaces will not always be free of viruses and other infectants, etc. Even where the activity allows social distancing, it will be impossible for the parish to ensure that all participants are observing all the recommended precautions. As a result of participation in parish activities, you or your child will be exposed to the risk of infection of communicable diseases, including COVID-19. Symptoms associated with COVID-19 range from mild to severe, and include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, headache, nausea, severe respiratory distress and death. By participating in parish activities or allowing your child to participate you knowingly and voluntarily assume the risk associated with participation.”
 

Dear parishioners,
Well, as you have no doubt heard by now, public Mass is resuming the weekend of the 23^rd/24^th, and our first public daily Mass will be on May 18^th at 12:10 pm in the big church. We just wanted to touch base with you and let you all know what the “new” temporary normal will be for the foreseeable future. We are attaching to this letter the official archdiocesan protocols. However, these protocols are meant for city churches, so some of our protocols might look a little different but we believe it is in keeping with the spirit of the protocols. So, without further ado,

• Please read the archdiocesan guidelines, as it exhaustively outlines many of the things that we will be doing.
• Mass will resume on May 18^th. All Masses will be in the big church until otherwise stated.
• Archbishop Coakley has kept the dispensation from Sunday Mass for the foreseeable future. That means that if you miss Mass you are NOT in a state of mortal sin. So if you don’t feel comfortable coming out, please stay home.
• Hand sanitizers will be at all the entrances. Please use them when entering and exiting.
• We’re trying to get our hands on Clorox wipes or some kind of disinfectant wipes to have in all the pews. Until we do, please come ready to sanitize your own spot.
• Every other pew will be taped off. Please don’t go under the tape.
• Holy Water fonts will remain empty.
• There will be no sign of peace or holding hands during the Our Father.
• I will not be making the wearing of masks obligatory, but if you want to wear one please feel free to do so.
• The Precious Blood will not be distributed. The priest will be the only one disturbing communion. We will wash our hands before and after communion, and wear a mask while distributing communion.
• The missals will be removed from the church. Handouts will be provided with the songs on them.
• Not everyone will be able to make their favorite Mass. During this time, charity, patience and understanding will need to be on the forefront of everyone’s mind. These are not ideal circumstances, but hopefully we will be able to get back to normal soon.
• The vigil Mass (Saturday night) will be for people who are 60 or older. If you are under 60, please plan on attending a different Mass. We will see how this goes and possibly update our plans.
• Adoration will resume on Friday, May 22nd in the big church.
• The schedule for the foreseeable future will be the same as the current one (before public Mass was suspended) with the following additions:

• Wednesday, daily Mass at 12:10 and 6:00
• Thursday, daily Mass at 9:30 in Newkirk and 6:00 at St. Mary’s.

 The rest of the schedule remains the same. Fr. Zak and I wish we would offer more Masses on Sunday, but we are already at our canonical limit. Please let me know if you have any questions, and with patience love and understanding we will get through this. We love you all and look forward to seeing you at Mass! God bless!

Fr. Carson Krittenbrink