Before Mass:

• Please wash your hands before leaving home. There will be limited restroom facilities for use in the church (facilities in the lower church will not be available).
• Consider bringing a travel size container of hand sanitizer or hand wipes with you.
• All members of the congregation need to wear masks, with the following exceptions:
  • Children under the age of two should not wear masks. Parents should judge for children between the ages of two and five whether they should wear a mask. All people who claim an exemption because of health can forego wearing a mask. They do not have to provide documentation.

Entering the Church:

• Be prepared to maintain social distancing protocols of 6 ft separation while entering, sitting, and exiting the church.
• Church doors will be open 15 minutes before Mass is scheduled to begin.
  • Enter St. Irene s Church for Mass from the main entrance doors only.
  • Enter St. Bernard s Church (Holy Family Parish) for Mass from the parking lot side doors only.
• Ushers will be present to assist in seating. Seating is limited to insure proper social distancing (6-ft apart in all directions). Families and those living in the same household can sit together. Some rows and areas will be blocked off as 6-ft distancing is required.
• Collection baskets will be available at the entrance to the church. However, we strongly encourage you to make your offerings of financial support to the parish and its mission using online platforms such as We Share " (Holy Family) and E-Giving (St. Irene) available on the parish websites.
• Ask the Holy Spirit for a disposition of faith and peace to enter into the Mass.

During Mass:

• Pray along with the Mass.
• There will be no processions, altar servers or congregational singing during the Mass.
• A bow or gesture should replace a handshake or other physical signs of peace/greeting during the liturgy

Receiving Communion and Leaving the Church

• Holy Communion will be distributed to those receiving as they remain in their pews.
• Some people may decide not to receive Holy Communion and that decision is to be honored and respected.
• Communicants are to receive the consecrated host in their hand. Gloves should not be worn while receiving Holy Communion.
• Please be mindful to not come into physical contact with the priest or Communion Minister while receiving Holy Communion. If contact is made, the priest/Communion Minister will need to purify and sanitize their hands before continuing to distribute Holy Communion.

After Mass:

• Please do not gather in the church entrance but continue to maintain social distancing as you exit the building. Do not congregate outside but head directly to your vehicle.
• Please exit promptly to allow volunteers to sanitize the church.
• We thank you for your support and cooperation. Visit the websites of our parishes for information about future Mass times.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Holy Family Parish, Concord at 978-369-7442

St. Irene Parish Carlisle at 978-369-3940