PRECIOUS BLOOD CATHOLIC CHURCH

1. Bishop Medley has extended, until further notice, the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Therefore, no one is required to attend Mass on Sunday or Saturday evening.

2. Those who are considered to be at risk and those who may feel uncomfortable attending a public Mass should worship from home. Parishes  that are able will continue to live stream the Mass.

3. Since the obligation is dispensed, Catholics who would like to attend Mass are encouraged to consider going to Mass on a weekday in order to lessen the crowd on Sunday.

4. Six feet of physical distancing will need to be maintained between all of the faithful except for those who live in the same home.

5. Everyone over the age of 3 should wear a mask. If individuals are uncomfortable or children are not mature enough to wear a mask for the entire liturgy, they should worship from home.

6. The presider will wear a mask while in procession and during the distribution of Holy Communion. At all other times, he will maintain a distance of six feet from other ministers.

7. The sign of peace will either be omitted or will be given in a non-physical manner such as with a bow of the head.

8. Holding hands during the Our Father should be done only by those who live in the same home.

9. There will no communal singing

10. Cry rooms will be unavailable.

11. The collection basket will not be passed but will be kept in a stationary location.

12. Holy water fonts will remain empty.

13. At the conclusion of the Mass, people will depart by pews to avoid a bottleneck at the doors.

14. There should be no gatherings either before or after Mass.

15. Since Bishop Medley has extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday, there is no obligation to receive Holy Communion.

16. For those who choose to receive Holy Communion, six feet of distance must be maintained in the Communion procession.

17. The face mask should be worn while in procession and removed only long enough to receive Holy Communion.

18. The practice of the faithful receiving Communion on the tongue is suspended. Holy Communion will be given in the hand only.

19. The worship space and high traffic areas will be cleaned and sanitized after each Mass.

20. Hymnals and missalettes are removed from the pews.

21. Bathrooms are limited to one person at a time and will be cleaned after each Mass.

• How did this organization get started?
• Understand what we do and how you can be involved

More than a century ago, a great sailing ship was stranded off the coast of South America.  Week after week the ship lay there in the still waters with not a hint of a breeze.  The captain was desperate; the crew was dying of thirst.  And then, on the far horizon, a steamship appeared, headed directly toward them.  As it drew near, the captain called out, "We need water!  Give us water!" The steamship replied, "Lower your buckets where you are."  The captain was furious at the cavalier response but called out again, "Please give us water."  But the steamer gave the same reply, "lower your buckets where you are!"  And with that they sailed away!  The captain was beside himself with anger and despair, and he went below.  But a little later, when no one was looking, a young man lowered a bucket into the sea and then tasted what he brought up: It was perfectly sweet, fresh water!  For you see, the ship was just out of sight of the mouth of the Amazon.  And for all those weeks they had been sitting right on top of all the fresh water they needed!  What we are really seeking, the One Whom we have been seeking all our lives, is already inside us, waiting to be discovered, waiting to be embraced: the Holy Spirit of God Who has been living within us from the moment of our Baptism.  The Holy Spirit is saying to us at this very moment from deep in our heart, "Lower your buckets where you are.  Taste and see!"  Come, Holy Spirit!  Fill our hearts and set us on fire!

Amen