Resumption of Public Mass at Holy Spirit Parish

Hello Holy Spirit Parishioners,

We have resumed celebrating public Masses, with a number of significant restrictions that remain in place, including a limit of 30 persons.

(Note: As of June 11, the government of Saskatchewan has increased its gathering size for worship services to 30% of seating capacity, to a maximum of 150 persons. This is to be done in groups of 30 persons, where the individuals within the group are spaced apart by 2 metres (except for those in the same household), while the groups of 30 are themselves spaced apart by a minimum of 5 metres. Careful attention must be paid to proper sanitization and distancing protocols.

While exciting, this will not be a simple process to implement. Please bear with us as we figure out a way to safely implement a larger return to Mass.

And stay tuned for volunteer signups – sanitizing seats, washrooms, and other surfaces after each Mass will be a complex undertaking and will require a number of volunteers for every Mass on the weekend.)

Anyone wishing to attend a Mass must be scheduled for that Mass. Email us at info@holyspiritsaskatoon.ca in order to sign up; we will send you a link where you can schedule your attendance at Mass. Thank you for your patience! This is quite new for all of us.

Remember, general dispensation from the Sunday obligation still remains and there is no pressure to attend. If you are elderly or in a vulnerable category as determined by the Government of Canada please do not sign up. We will still be live streaming Mass on Sundays at 12 noon.

For more information please see Bishop Mark Hagemoen’s directive What to Expect When Public Mass Resumes.

Above all, let’s continue to keep one another in prayer. God bless you and your family.

Instructions For Attending Mass

Before you arrive

  1. Anyone attending Mass in person must be in good health. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, please do not attend:
      • Are you feeling sick?
      • Do you have a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, or shortness of breath?
      • Have you travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days?
      • Are you in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19?
      • Have you tested positive for COVID-19?
  2. Anyone wishing to attend any Mass must be scheduled for that Mass.
  3. If you have been scheduled to attend, we expect you to be there. If you are unable to do so, please email info@holyspiritsaskatoon.ca so that we can extend the opportunity to others.

When you arrive

  1. Please enter the church using the east door (the ramp door under the carport). On Sundays, the doors to the church will remain locked until 15 minutes before Mass so that we have adequate time to properly clean and sanitize the areas. They will be locked again after Mass begins in order to manage the health restrictions.
  2. Please sanitize your hands or wash your hands in a bathroom. You will see hand sanitizer in several places, including the welcome area.
  3. A locked box for collections will be placed on the table just inside the main worship space. If you wish you make a contribution, please place your donation into the slot on top of the box before Mass begins.
  4. If you need to receive Communion with a low gluten host or from the chalice, please speak with the priest prior to Mass.
  5. You will see certain pews blocked off and others available for seating. Please do not sit in the blocked off pews.
  6. Throughout this time, as you are entering the church and choosing where to sit, everyone must respect physical distancing rules. Always remain two metres (six feet) apart from anyone not in your household.
  7. Everyone is encouraged to wear masks while entering and exiting the church. You may remove your mask when you get to your pew and throughout Mass.
  8. We will all be happy to see each other and eager to have time to pray in the church.  Please greet people warmly (at a safe distance) and take time to pray. Pews will be sanitized before and after each Mass.

During Mass

  1. We will not be using our usual ministry roles, so the priest will do all the readings.
  2. There will be no music.
  3. Communion will be distributed after Mass has ended. This will feel strange at first, but please remember that the most important thing is that whomever wishes to receive Holy Communion is able to do so as safely and prayerfully as possible. The reception of communion will go like this:
      • The priest will sanitize his hands and wear a mask.
      • Using markings on the floor, maintain distancing while coming forward.
      • When you are in line with the front pews, the priest will say “The body of Christ.” Still at a distance, you will respond “Amen,” and then step forward to receive communion.
      • The priest may resanitize his hands between communicants.
      • Anyone wishing to receive communion on the tongue must only do so after everyone else has received.
      • After you receive communion, please return to your pew for a time of prayer.  You may leave when you feel ready.  Please maintain a physical distance with others and do not linger or socialize afterwards.