Green Phase Guidelines & Instructions

Please take the time to read the instructions below. We ask everyone to follow these guidelines during this period:

GENERAL POINTS

• EVERYONE is still DISPENSED FROM THE OBLIGATION TO ATTEND MASS on Sundays and Holy Days until further notice from the Archbishop.
• To maintain everyone’s health, those who are sick or have compromised health conditions are NOT to come to church.
• Videos of Sunday Masses will still be available on our parish website until further notice.
• Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will continue (when possible) as follows:
  • Mondays from 9:30 AM to the evening devotions at 7:00 PM
  • Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
  • Saturday and Sunday: none
• Baptisms may now be scheduled for Sundays with up to three families at a time.
• Regular Communion Calls to the homebound and those in medical facilities may resume while observing all necessary precautions and abiding by the regulations of the facilities.

MASS AND SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

• The regular weekday and Sunday Mass schedule will continue:
  • Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM
  • Sunday Mass: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 Noon
  • Monday through Friday Masses: 9:00 AM
  • Saturday morning Mass: 8:00 AM
• The regular Monday evening devotions will continue.
• Confessions will continue to be available at the usual time (Saturday: 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM and by appointment).
• Normal office hours at the Trinity Center will continue. They are listed at the bottom of each page of the parish website. See the bulletin for details or call the office.
• SCRIP office hours will be:
  • Tuesday through Friday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and
  • Monday through Thursday: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • Saturday: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

ENTERING THE CHURCH

• EVERYONE in the congregation over 2 years of age is encouraged to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth. Note that liturgical ministers will not wear masks while performing their ministry.
• Enter from the parking lot side of the church. The doors on the Second Street Pike side will not be open.
• The doors on the parking lot side will remain open before, during, and after Mass to reduce handling.
• Hand sanitizers will be available at the Church entrances. Please use the hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the Church.
• Holy Water fonts will remain empty during the Green Phase.

SEATING

• Please honor all posted signs regarding seating.
• EVERY OTHER PEW will continue to be open.
• Members of the same household may sit together as normal. Please place 6 feet between your household and members of a different household.

DURING MASS

• There will be no missals or hymnals in the pews. If you bring your own missal, please take it with you when you leave. Do not leave anything in the pew when you leave.
• There will be no offertory processions during the Green Phase.
• There will be no sign of peace during the Green Phase.

RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

• The reception of Holy Communion is always optional.
• The Communion stations will be near the altar rail. There will be no Communion stations at the break. The handicapped are encouraged to sit near the front of church.
• All are encouraged to wear a mask and maintain SOCIAL DISTANCING in the Communion line and when returning to your pew.
• During the Green Phase, the faithful are asked to receive Holy Communion IN THE HAND.
• Those wearing gloves must remove them before receiving Holy Communion.
• When you are the second person in line from the priest or extraordinary minister, please lower your mask.
• After the Host is placed in your hand, please step aside, receive Communion, replace your mask, and return to your pew.

EXITING THE CHURCH

• For your safety, at the conclusion of Mass, please exit the Church and proceed directly to your car. Please do not congregate in the vestibule or in the parking lot.
• Bulletins will be available on tables as you exit Church (not before Mass). Please take a parish bulletin home with you.
• Please leave your mask on until you exit the Church.

CHURCH CLEANING

• As stated, hand sanitizer will still be available as you enter and exit church.
• Pews and doorknobs will be sanitized before and after each Mass.
• The church will continue to be cleaned regularly.

IN PERSON MEETINGS AND EVENTS

• Please observe social distancing and sanitization protocols for any in-person meeting.
• It is recommended that masks be worn whenever someone is mobile (i.e. coming in or out of the building, using the restroom, etc…). Once seated, masks may be removed as long as social distancing is in place. As a reminder, the Governor’s mandatory mask order does not apply to religious organizations.
• Where possible, meet in rooms with the largest amount of space and ventilation.
• The group is responsible to sanitize the space before AND after the meeting. OLGC will provide the cleaning materials, but the group is responsible for the cleaning.

Religious vs. Non-Religious Functions

Governor Wolf’s occupancy limits of 25 people indoors and 250 people outdoors (25/250) do not apply to religious organizations. However, non-religious functions taking place on parish grounds are required to adhere to these occupancy limits. Below you will find some common parish ministries and events categorized as either religious or non-religious.

Religious Functions

These ministries are considered religious because they express or directly support the essential mission of the Church. These ministries are exempt from the 25/250 occupancy limits unless noted otherwise. However, please consider following the recommendations above when planning events for these ministries.

• RCIA sessions, adult faith formation, evangelization, prayer groups
• Sacramental preparation meetings, including marriage preparation
• PREP parent meetings, Catechist meetings
• Liturgical ministry meetings and trainings (lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, altar servers, music ministry, etc.)
• Pastoral care support groups (e.g. bereavement, divorce ministry, etc.)
• Parish councils
• Knights Councils and other Catholic lay association meetings with religious content
• Other large meetings with religious content
• Youth ministry, Catholic scouting troops (i.e. troops chartered by the parish or Catholic organization like the Knights of Columbus)
• Social Ministry outreach (e.g. food cupboards, clothing distribution, etc.; NB: The charitable works of the Church belong to her essential mission. However, Catholic Social Services recommends that all social service ministries adhere to the 25/250 person limit and CDC guidelines.)
• CYO Sports (NB: Archdiocesan CYO guidelines require adherence to the 25/250 person limit.)
• Safe Environment trainings (NB: Office for Child and Youth Protection guidelines require adherence to the 25/250 person limit.)

Non-Religious Functions

The organizations and events below are considered non-religious and are required to adhere to the Governor’s 25/250 occupancy limit.

• Catholic School parent meetings, teacher meetings, home-school association meetings (NB: Please follow the guidelines of the Catholic Schools Office.)
• Social events and social groups
• Bingo, Festivals, Carnivals, Wedding Receptions, Baby Showers
• 12 Step groups (AA, NA, etc.) and other organizations that have separate legal status

Please note that, although we are certainly moving in the right direction, it is important that we all follow the directives listed above. They are for your health and the health of everyone. No one wants to create a situation that will cause us to be forced to endure further restrictions. For those who are ill, those whose health is compromised for any reason, or those who have concerns that lead them to choose to stay at home during the Green Phase, please be assured that you have our prayers and complete support for your decision. You will still be able to participate in the video Masses on our website until further notice, and we ask that you continue to send in your weekly donations electronically or by mail.