As most of you have heard from the local news—and if you are a registered parishioner at St. Catherine of Siena—you would have received from us an email this week via Constant Contact complete with a bullet-point listing of key information about reopening public worship of the Mass and a video presentation illustrating reception of Holy Communion in the midst of social distancing and wearing a mask. This information may also be found on our parish website, stcatherine.info. Key: making a reservation for Mass is required due to the limitations on public gatherings by Governor Lamont.

Beginning Monday, 8 June, the celebration of DAILY Mass will be at its normal time at 8:30 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays (No Mass on Thursdays, which is my day off from the parish—St. Mary’s has a daily Mass on Thursdays but not Friday’s which is Monsignor Matera’s day off). The Archdiocese of Hartford (AOH) has not selected a date for the resumption of weekend (Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses) as of yet, but hopefully will soon.

In addition to the daily public Masses, we are now able to celebrate Baptisms, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, wedding Masses and funeral Masses in light all CDC and Connecticut governmental health regulations.

Please be assured that here at St. Catherine of Siena we have read and implemented the guidelines for social distancing, reception of Holy Communion, social gatherings, and the cleaning of our buildings and are prepared to welcome all back to our church home safely.

So for a complete list of all the highlights of coming back to church safely, please go to our website at www.stcatherine.info, check your email inbox or call the parish office at 658 1642 for details.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER:

• The celebration of public Mass begins on Monday, June 8 and is for the daily Mass;
• The Sunday obligation to attend Mass has been dispensed by the Archbishop of Hartford until 6 September or otherwise notified;
• Baptisms, Confession, wedding and funeral Masses are now allowed;
• Everyone at Mass shall abide by social distancing regulations and the wearing of a face mask; except those with medical exceptions including children 2 years old and under (and from two to five years old at the parents’ discretion);
• In-person Mass attendance is left to the discretion of the individual with no canonical penalty/obligation; and, Anyone with a cold, illness, temperature or anyone caring for anyone with an illness or falling within the categories of being ill, frail or immunocompromised are also not supposed to attend public Mass.

Thank you for your Christian Charity in abiding by these requests!