It’s good news that we will be celebrating Mass again after a 9-10 separation because of the virus. I look forward to seeing many of our people beginning this weekend and in the Sundays ahead. A happy Memorial Day weekend to all as we remember our loved ones who have lived and died from this world, entering, we pray, the joys of eternal life with our Lord and Savior. We have a long list of statements regarding coming back to Church, what it will look like, and what are the proper expectations for each of us as we continue to focus on halting the spread of the virus. We all have our share to do in this matter as we return to Church. Here’s the list: * First, with the 40% figure that came from the Governor’s office regarding the amount of people in the Church, that 40% comes to over 200 people at Immaculate Conception, with a capacity over 500 people. It’s rare we ever have over 200 people in the Church for a Sunday Mass, or even close to that number. So that’s not a concern, especially with the fact that not everyone will be returning at this time. If you know of someone whose Church is not open this Sunday, May 24, and they plan on attending here, it would be best to advise them to wait until their own Parish opens to avoid any “numbers crunch.” If 30-40 people from St. George Parish decide to attend here, and 25 from elsewhere, that could be an issue. If it’s only our folks attending, numbers will not be an issue. * Next, everyone attending Mass needs to wear a mask. We cannot allow anyone into the Church without a mask. The only ones who will not wear a mask once inside are the Lector, the Cantor (4:00 & 10:00 Masses), and the Priest while saying the Mass. * All 3 entrances – the 2 side doors and 2 front doors, will be left open at all times. Please do not close those doors at any time. Also, the doors inside the Church will be left open and need to remain open for two purposes: that different hands will not touch them at different times, and for ventilation in the Church. * When you enter the Church, every other pew will be taped off to create automatic social distance. Please do not remove any tape if your normal pew is one of the unlucky ones closed off. I recommend that those who are more agile and younger in years sit toward the middle of a pew, leaving the ends for other, less agile folks. Please do not ask anyone to move in. There should be no problem finding a pew somewhere in the Church. On the flip side of this, if you are alone, please do not corner a pew if you’re the only person sitting in it, in such a way where no one else can enter in it. Us Catholics tend to be territorial. Please be less territorial, as well as extremely considerate. * For all 3 Masses, Deacon Kevin and Fr. Riley will be processing in from the side and not down the center aisle. We do this already for the 7:30 Mass. This will include, for the time being, the other Masses as well. PLEASE ARRIVE IN PLENTY OF TIME BEFORE MASS BEGINS. * When you enter your pew, you will notice all hymnals and prayer cards removed. This is so one set of hands at one Mass will not lead to another set of hands holding the same book/card at another Mass, and so on. Music will be played and sung at the 4 & 10 o’clock Masses, but without the use of hymnals. IT’S BEEN STATED BY HIGHER POWERS THAT THE OPENING AND CLOSING HYMNS WILL BE SUNG BY THE CANTOR (Bridget) ONLY. THE REST OF US LISTEN. All other Mass parts may be sung by the People of God where singing is done, and all non-singing parts of the Mass - all responses - should be recited by all in attendance as is the normal way. Also, all attendees will have to listen to the readings, not being able to follow along with the JourneySongs book that will not be in the pew. Mass attendees may bring your own prayer book to follow along with the readings if you wish, but, it must not be left behind. Nothing is left in the pew at the end of Mass. * Bulletins, for those who want one, can be taken only at the end of Mass. Reason being that nothing can be left in the pews when everyone leaves after Mass, and bulletins are mainly the one item that people leave behind for others to clean up. * Reception of Communion will have a different format for the foreseeable future. Reception will take place from the side aisles rather than the center aisle. This allows for two things: first, a single line can be formed with tape on the floor for safe distance, and second, it’s much easier for everyone to go back to their pews in a staggering format from the center aisle where more space is available, and not coming up the center aisle side by side that tightens the distance. There will be only 2 Communion stations; Deacon Kevin will be at one, and Fr. Riley be at the other, each of them standing near the exit door. We ask that no one leaves after Communion; there’s no need to do so. * Reception of Communion: Most people already receive Communion in the hand, with a few who receive on the tongue. It’s strongly recommended that everyone receives in the hand. For those who prefer receiving the Eucharist on the tongue, no one is refused the reception of the Lord. * At the end of Mass, it’s imperative that everyone exits in an orderly fashion, going pew by pew beginning at the front. No stampedes are necessary or allowed. Exiting Church is not the bull chase in Spain. Again, all 3 doors will be open for a smooth flow of both entering and exiting. At the end of Mass, please be kind, gentle, very patient, and keep your distance from others who are exiting. * Hand sanitizers and wipes are at each entrance to the Church for anyone who needs use of them when entering or exiting. After each Mass the pews will be wiped down and cleaned, as well as all door handles in the Church and any area where hands may touch, such as glass on the doors. * For seating, only members of the same immediate households can sit closely together. Everyone else needs to be at least 6 feet apart. * Before and after Mass, there’s the discouragement from certain circles of authority of folks gathering in small groups. Our advice, for what’s it’s worth, is there is no issue with this as long as everyone keeps their distance and people can walk by without having to avoid someone standing in their path. * VERY IMPORTANT: Anyone who is sick, coughing, or not feeling well, do not come to Mass. You need to stay home. This is for the good of everyone. Watch Mass on TV. There are a few different choices. Collection Baskets: There will be no collection at Offertory for the foreseeable future. Brown collection boxes will be left at each entrance to the Church. For safe measure, we will place them just inside the Church on a small stand or table, and it will be identified. On the way in or out, for those with envelopes, checks, or cash, simply place your offering it in the box, and it will be collected immediately after Mass concludes. It’s highly preferred by the Diocese that parishioners continue to send in your offering through the mail or continue using the online service. But for those who bring your offering to Mass, those boxes will be in the Church for that purpose. Elderly: I ask all the elderly in our Parish to use the better part of your discretion as to whether you will come to Church or not at this time. The Sunday obligation for the elderly has been extended by our Bishop to December 31 of this year. Talk it over with your loved ones, get their advice. This virus attacks the elderly above all others. Or for those with serious underlying medical conditions that will potentially compromise your health even more by attending Mass, you need to consider staying away for the present time, until the situation calms down in all areas. * For the non-elderly, if you are healthy, and you attend to the protocols in place, there’s every reason coming to Church will be a safe and holy experience. It’s going to look a bit different before & after Mass, and once or twice during it. But the Mass is the Mass. It remains the same. And we’re confident you will be glad you attended in good faith. * We understand that not all our people will be rushing the Church doors this Sunday. There are different reasons for this: elderly, underlying conditions, fear of a more crowded place, or fear in general, etc. You need to make the decision that is best for you. This was mentioned this in a past video, saying that all Catholics returning to Church due to the Coronavirus, our returning will take place at different times, for various reasons. This still holds. You have to go at your pace. We cannot unfear your fear; we cannot make you 30 years younger; we cannot do way with your underlying medical conditions. Go at your comfortable, wise pace. However, don’t stay away for good. Please don’t do that to yourself. Do not allow this virus to crumble and destroy the practice of your faith. And if you need to talk about that topic, please call Fr. Riley to chat about this. * Lastly, if there is anyone who wishes to help clean the pews after a given Mass, please let Fr. Riley know at the beginning when you come in. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns regarding any part of what is written here, you can send an email to Fr. Riley at the Church’s email address: icworc@live.com, or call the Rectory at any time. If we’re not here to answer the phone, leave a message and your number and we will return your call. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing our people in the weeks ahead.