For Immediate Release: June 3, 2020
 
THE CELEBRATION OF THE SACRED LITURGY DURING THE PENNSYLVANIA YELLOW PHASE AND THE ARCHDIOCESAN RESTRICTED PHASE
 
The Knights of Columbus, Fr. Joseph D. Gallagher Council #3673 (KOC) have been charged with assisting the Parish with the safe reopening of Holy Trinity Catholic Church for weekend Masses, with restrictions. The restrictions that will be implemented are consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (AOP), Office for Divine Worship Guidelines. The below guidelines are specifically for Holy Trinity Parish to ensure safe and transparent operations, dignified Liturgy, and proper social distancing during Saturday vigil and Sunday morning services. The AOP has continued to apply a dispensation to any Parishioner who is unable to attend Sunday Mass during the time of this COVID-19 pandemic. If you are feeling ill or are uncomfortable returning to Mass or going to a public gathering, you are encouraged to stay home and partake in a virtual Mass offered through AOP Spiritual Resources.
 
Mass Schedule:
Saturday:       5:30 pm
Sunday:          7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am
 
Church Opening:

• Church will only be open 15 minutes prior to the start of each Mass.
• Parishioners are only permitted to use the main doors for entry. This entry will now be designated an “Enter Only” doorway. Those in need of assistance will still be able to use the ADA accessible entrance adjacent to the shrine room. The KOC will be available to allow entrance through these doors.
• Parishioners waiting to enter Church will be expected to observe Social Distancing Guidelines and remain at least six (6) feet from other Parishioners.
• All entrants, over the age of two (2) are required to wear a mask or face covering, constant with the AOP and CDC guidelines. Those refusing to appropriately wear a mask or face covering shall be denied entry to Mass.

• Seating will be limited based on total Church capacity in conjunction with AOP and CDC guidelines for social distancing.
• In order to facilitate a safe Liturgy, Holy Trinity will have a capacity of no more than 100 individual worshipers. Individual worshipers include individuals and all members families. The Knights of Columbus will be keeping a headcount for each Mass to ensure a safe environment.
• Parishioners will only be permitted to sit in every other pew. Families, and individuals residing in the same household, will be permitted to sit next to each other, but all others shall maintain a distance of at least six (6) feet apart.
• The KOC will remain visible during Mass to ensure continued social distancing.

• There will be no collection baskets passed through the pews. There will be a collection basket placed near the front of the Church. Parishioners can drop their donation into this basket before Church begins, or on their way to receive Communion. Appropriate social distancing shall be maintained in and around the collection basket.

• During the distribution of Holy Communion, the KOC will usher each pew to receive the Sacrament.
• Communion recipients shall enter a single file line, standing at least six (6) feet apart, and proceed to the front of the Church. 
• Holy Eucharist will be distributed at two (2) stations, one on each side of the Church. Holy Eucharist will be distributed over the altar rail and will only be distributed hand to hand.
• Individuals receiving the Eucharist shall lower their mask or face covering to receive Communion, then shall appropriately apply the mask or face covering prior to returning to their seat.
• After receiving Communion, individuals shall return to their pew maintaining social distance.

• At the end of Mass, after the celebrants return to the Sacristy, the KOC will usher all individuals out of Church pew-by-pew.
• The four (4) side doors of the Church will now be designated as “Exit Only” doorways.
• Parishioners will be asked to use an identified doorway to leave Church in an orderly fashion while maintain social distancing.

• After all worshipers have left Church, the KOC and other designated volunteers will work to sanitize and clean the Church.
• The following cleaning and sanitizing protocols will be enacted:
  • Sanitize across the top of each open pew.
  • Sanitize the armrests of each open pew.
  • Sanitize all door handles, both inside and out
  • Sanitize all bathroom fixtures, i.e. spigots, toilet handle and seat, door handle, sink.
  • Sanitize buttons on the back candle stand in vestibule.
  • Sanitize communion rail (both sides) and buttons on Blessed Mother candle stand and shrine room candle stand.

• Archdiocesan Guidelines – Effective 5.27.2020

• Archdiocese of Philadelphia – Spiritual Resources

http://archphila.org/resources/

 
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
 
Q: WILL I BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK OR FACE COVERING TO ENTER HOLY TRINITY CHURCH?
A: Yes, you will be required to wear a mask or face covering to enter Holy Trinity and throughout the celebration of Mass. Masks or face coverings can only be lowered to receive Holy Communion.
 
Q:  IF I AM SICK, FEEL SICK, OR FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE ATTENDING A PUBLIC GATHERING, AM I STILL DISPENSATED FROM MY SUNDAY OBLIGATION TO ATTEND MASS?
A:  Yes, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has extended the dispensation of the Sunday obligation to attend Mass even though in-person Mass will resume. If you are sick, feel sick, or are in a high-risk group, you are encouraged to stay home and watch a virtual Mass provided through the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
 
Q:  WILL THE CHURCH HAVE SPECIFIED ENTRANCES AND EXITS?
A:  Yes, the main doors will be used to enter Church and the four (4) side doors will be used to exit. All doors will be clearly marked. Any Parishioner needing access to the ADA Accessible doorway can see a member of the Knights of Columbus to use that doorway. 
 
Q:  WILL I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION?
A:  Yes, Holy Communion will be distributed, but no distribution from the Cup until further notice.
 
Q:  WHAT DO I DO WITH MY WEEKLY CONTRIBUTION?
A:  There will be no collections by Ushers using the traditional basket. There will be a standalone basket where Parishioners can drop their donation in the front of Church. Donations can be made before Mass or on a Parishioner’s walk to receive Holy Communion.
 
Q:  WILL THE CHURCH BE CLEANED AFTER EACH MASS?
A:  Yes, the Church will be cleaned and sanitized after each Mass in accordance with CDC and AOP guidelines.
 
Q:  HOW WILL I KNOW OF CHANGES TO THE PLANNED LITURGICAL SCHEDULES?
A:  Any changes to the planned Liturgical schedules will be posted to the Holy Trinity Parish website; Holy Trinity Parish Facebook Group; Knights of Columbus Council 3673 Facebook Page, and through a Parish-wide email. Please email holytrinityRCC@aol.com to have your email included on our distribution list.
 
 
Q:  IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH A PARISHIONER NOT WEARING A MASK OR FACE COVERING OR NOT MAINTAINING AN APPROPRIATE SOCIAL DISTANCE, SHOULD I WORK TO ENFORCE THE HOLY TRINITY GUIDELINES MYSELF?
A:  No. You should walk to a member of the Knights of Columbus, who will be identifiable at each Mass, and ask them for assistance. Under no circumstances should any Parishioner conduct themselves in a way would result in a loss of decorum in Church.