Yellow Phase Guidelines & Instructions

My Dear Parishioners,

I feel somewhat like the angels who appeared to the shepherds at Bethlehem. I bring you news of great joy! Archbishop Pérez has announced that parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be able to resume public Masses the weekend of June 6 and 7. We at Our Lady of Good Counsel look forward to welcoming you back! Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we make our way back to celebrate Mass together in person.

While our region remains in the Yellow Phase of statewide reopening, all of us need to do our part to make sure that our return to Mass is a peaceful and safe experience for all. Please take the time to read the instructions below. We ask everyone to follow these guidelines when attending Mass 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 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 be scheduled for Sundays with one family at a time.
• Regular Communion Calls to the homebound are still suspended, but Last Rites will continue to be administered to those who are actively dying while observing necessary precautions.

MASS AND SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

• The regular weekday and Sunday Mass schedule will resume on Saturday, June 6, 2020:
  • 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 resume on Monday, June 8.
• 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 resume on Saturday, June 6. 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
• Parish groups and other organizations may hold meetings on our campus with the following conditions:
  • Social distancing is observed.
  • 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.
  • If the gathering size is 25 persons or larger, masks covering the nose and mouth should be worn during the gathering.
  • The gathering size does not exceed the following (50% capacity of space):
    • Church: 350 persons
    • Gym: 200 persons
    • McNelis Room: 80 persons
    • BVM Room: 13 persons
    • Fitzgerald Room: 20 persons
    • Youth Group Room: 20 persons

ENTERING THE CHURCH

• EVERYONE in the congregation over 2 years of age MUST 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 Yellow Phase.

SEATING

• Please honor all posted signs regarding seating.
• EVERY OTHER PEW will 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 Yellow Phase.
• There will be no sign of peace during the Yellow 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.
• Please wear your mask and maintain SOCIAL DISTANCING in the Communion line and when returning to your pew.
• During the Yellow 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.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

• Your health is important to us. Please be assured that we will follow CDC guidelines to the best of our ability.
• As stated, hand sanitizer will be available as you enter and exit church.
• Pews and doorknobs will be sanitized before and after each Mass.
• The church is cleaned regularly.

In conclusion, please know that we share your joy in the return of the public celebration of Mass, devotions, and other parish gatherings. The past few months have been a challenge for us all. For those who are healthy and able to return to church, we offer you a hearty welcome back. It is essential, however, that we all strictly 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 go back to the “Red Phase” 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 Yellow 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 I ask that you continue to send in your weekly donations electronically or by mail. May the Lord continue to heal our world, our nation, our Archdiocese, our parish, and each one of us so that we can move into the “Green Phase” as soon as possible.

May God bless you all,

Pastor