Hello, Please take some time to read this entire email as it details some changes for Christmas Mass times, seating, and Christmas Mass reservations.
Many aspects of the celebration of Christmas may look very different this year. While there may not be the usual parties and gatherings (or such events may be conducted very differently than in past years), it is important that we focus on and celebrate what is truly special and significant about this season. Although people are trying to keep distance from each other, Christmas is all about our loving God overcoming distance with us — getting close to us, face-to-face, becoming one with his creation, one with humanity, and interacting with us in powerful ways. Our Christmas Masses celebrate that reality, and in “normal” times, always draw great numbers of people to church. This year, it is hard to anticipate what attendance at our Christmas Masses will look like due to the impact of Covid. Many people are concerned about being around larger crowds of people, and thus may opt not to attend Christmas Mass in person. This is a valid option as there is currently, temporarily, no obligation to attend Mass (on Christmas or at other times). However, this important aspect of entering into the true joy and meaning of Christmas should not be simply ignored. There are a multitude of ways for one to join in the prayer of the Mass remotely through televised Masses as well as Masses that are streamed live through the internet. For those who DO wish to attend Mass in person, we are doing all that we can to allow that to happen but in as safe a manner as we can. Therefore, those wishing to attend Masses in person, for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, need to be aware of the schedule and practices that will be in place, as it will be, like everything else it seems, different for this year.
While Vigil/Anticipated Masses are normally not to begin before 4 PM the day before, Bishop Zubik has given special permission for parishes to offer, for this year, Masses as early as 2 PM on Christmas Eve. Therefore, in the faith community of St. Joan of Arc and St. Louise de Marillac, we will have the following schedule of Masses:
Christmas Masses at St. Joan
Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
2:00pm
Church is full
4:00pm (livestreamed to Facebook)
Church is full
6:00pm
Church is full
10:00pm (livestreamed to Facebook)
Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day
9:00am
11:00am (livestreamed to Facebook)
Christmas Masses at St. Louise
Thursday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
2:00pm (livestreamed to Facebook)
Church is full
4:00pm
Church is full
8:00pm
Church is full
Midnight
Church is full
Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day
8:00am (livestreamed to Facebook)
10:00am
12:00Noon
At each of these times Mass will be celebrated IN THE CHURCH only. However, there will be an area of extra seating at each church (The Gathering Place at St. Joan; and the School Gym at St. Louise) where Mass from the church can be viewed and heard on large TVs. People in these over-flow areas will be given the opportunity to receive Communion as a Minister will distribute the Eucharist to them while those in the church are receiving. We will be live streaming Masses as well and they can be viewed on Facebook (where indicated) or our website: https://sja-stl.org/mass-schedule
For the safety of all who wish to attend, we will be observing limitations on the number of people who will be allowed in church (as well as in the over-flow areas). We will be using a reservation system for those who wish to have a seat in the church.
This reservation system is being utilized for the convenience of everyone who may wish to attend Christmas Mass. Since we can only admit a limited number of people to each Mass, you will be able to know before you come to Mass whether or not there will be room in the church. Being aware ahead of time that the church is at capacity for a specific Mass will give you the opportunity to select a different Mass -- if you wish to be in the church itself. You can come to a Mass without a reservation, but you will need to watch the Mass from the overflow area. (Be aware, though, that the overflow areas do have their own capacity limits, so it is possible that those areas could fill up and one would have to come back for a later Mass, or join in through the live stream from their home or car. So it is highly recommended that you utilize the reservation system.)
Please note the following:
Once you make the reservation, an email confirmation will be sent to you, which you will need to print. You will need to bring that page to church when you come. Without a printed confirmation of a reservation in hand, while you will still be welcome to participate, you will need to sit in the overflow area.
If you make a reservation for multiple people (such as all the members of a household) ALL THOSE ON THE RESERVATION WILL NEED TO BE PRESENT TOGETHER BEFORE ENTERING THE CHURCH TO BE SEATED.
All those entering the church must use the one main entrance(although when leaving the church you may use any of the doors). The overflow seating areas will have separate entrances. Please be attentive to the signs on the church doors.
The church doors will not open until 20 minutes before a scheduled Mass time. (The churches and overflow seating areas will be cleaned before each Mass and the seats need time to dry.)
As has become standard practice almost everywhere, ALL those entering any parish buildings(churches and areas of additional seating) will need to wear a mask, covering their mouth and nose, for the duration of their visit.
While members of the same household may sit close together, distance from other individuals and household groups will need to be maintained.
Certainly, these procedures add a significant level of challenge and planning for all of us with regard to participating in-person at Christmas Mass. HOWEVER, with everyone's patience and cooperation, we can achieve the goal of having beautiful, peaceful, spiritually uplifting AND SAFE liturgical celebrations of the birth of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR BEING ATTENTIVE TO THE ABOVE PROCEDURES!