Returning to In-Person Mass
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April 2021 Update
In order to comply with the newly announced public health measures, we are unable to welcome you in-person for Masses. However, our online presence continues on Facebook and YouTube. We invite you to make time each weekend to join our online community in worship.
With us unable to gather in person once again, we can end up feeling discouraged and tired. Join us online as we ask the Risen Lord to re-focus and restore our energies, thoughts and feelings upon Him, who alone can bring hope, purpose and meaning to our lives.
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Reservations for April 17th and 18th are now closed. If you have reservations for Mass, they are still valid for this weekend. Masses will continue in-person and online as scheduled for this weekend.
We invite you to join us online. You can watch Mass from home on YouTube at either Good Shepherd or Ste. Anne.
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Per health unit guidance, complete this self-assessment tool before you leave for Mass. If for any reason you do not pass the screening, please watch Mass from home.
Questions? Please call Good Shepherd Parish at (519) 735-9517 or Ste. Anne Parish at (519) 735-2182
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We are excited to be reopening our doors. Please remember that returning to Mass is optional.
We are all excited to return home to our churches and communities. Given the capacity restrictions that are in place when we reopen our churches, parishes will continue to livestream Masses as much as possible, recognizing that all will not be able to gather at this time.
Because some people may be sick, have a compromised immune system, or feel uncomfortable returning to church, our Bishop
has dispensed everyone from their Sunday obligation until September.
In other words, if you wish to wait to return to Mass in-person, please feel comfortable doing so. We look forward to seeing you in person or online.
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We are in need of volunteers to serve in two important new ministries, hospitality and cleaning. If you are able to support, please click on the link for your parish and sign-up.
Click here to volunteer at Good Shepherd Parish
Click here to volunteer at Ste. Anne's Parish
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regular Mass & sacrament times
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Good shepherd
Daily Mass: Tuesday to Thursday: 7:00pm
In-Person, First Come First Serve
Wednesdays Livestreamed Starting at 6:40pm
Weekend Masses:
Saturdays 5:00pm, Sundays 9:00am and 11:00am
All Are In Person & Online, Reservation Required
Confessions: Tuesday to Thursday: 6:15pm-6:45pm -
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ste. anne's
Daily Mass: Monday to Saturday: 8:30am
In-Person & Online, First Come First Serve
For French weekday Masses visit St-Jerome's website for details.
Weekend Masses: Saturday 5:30pm
Sunday 8am (Bilingual), 10am (In-Person Only) and 12pm
In-Person & Online, Reservation Required
Confessions: Saturday 9:30am-10:30am -
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE RETURNING TO MASS
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1) Be SafeIf you have existing health conditions, have a weakened immune system, or are not feeling well, please join in Mass from home. You can find an assessment center, take a self-assessment from home, or find out more information from the Ontario Government on COVID-19 here.
You may be asked these questions before entering the church:- Have you taken your temperature?
- Are you suffering from a cough or exhibiting any other symptoms?
- Have you been in contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms?
- Have you travelled in the last 14 days?
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2) Register for MassIn order to accomodate a safe return, and in compliance with provincial requirements, our maximum capacity at each Mass will be reduced. Depending on the layout of the church and in order to ensure everyone is seated 6 feet apart, this may mean we can only safely accomodate a small number of parishioners.
In order to prevent crowds for Sunday Masses, including the Saturday evening vigil, you need to save your spot by registering online. Connect with your parish on their website, social media, or by phone to learn how to register at your local church. Be sure to have your confirmation email available on your phone (or printed) before you come to the church.
If you need help, please contact the parish office. If you know someone without internet access, please have them contact the parish office.
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3) BRING a Face Mask & hand SANITIZERYes, we will all look a bit weird, but masks or face coverings are highly recommended for everyone (ages 8 and up). This mask should cover both your mouth and nose. We realize this may be uncomfortable and unusual; however, masks are required. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from wearing a mask, please consider joining us online or calling the parish office for more information.
If you are able, consider bringing a travel-sized hand sanitizer with you. There will be hand sanitizer at the church, but having your own supply may be helpful for before and after Communion. Gloves are not required.
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4) Be patientMass will look different for us. Remember, none of us have been in a global pandemic before so we are all learning together how to return to some sense of normal. Please be patient with our parish leaders, with others, and with yourselves.
Please follow the directions of priests, staff, and volunteers given before, during, or after Mass, including reading carefully any posted signage. Your support is critical to ensure everyone's safety.
This will take time, but we will get through it together.
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Parish Specific Details
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Good shepherd
Registration: For weekend Masses, you must register at GSLakeshore.com and bring a digital or physical copy of your confirmation from Flocknote. If you have quesitons, please call the office.
Entrances: Please enter only through the main doors facing EC Row.
More Info: There will be no in-person children's ministry offered, and no Holy Grounds Cafe after Mass. You can join us for Kids' Church online at 8:00am every Sunday on Facebook, Instagram, or Youtube.
Parish Website: GSLakeshore.com
Office Phone Number: (519)735-9517
Office Email: goodshepherd@dol.ca
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Ste. anne's
Registration: In order to register for weekend Masses at Ste Anne's, please sign up for Flocknote at SteAnneParish.Flocknote.com. Bring a digital or physical copy of your confirmation from Flocknote.
Entrances: Enter from the parking lot at the doors opposite St-Antoine school. Please line up outside according to the markers on the ground.
More Info: There will be no in-person children's ministry offered, and no Cafe after Mass. You can join us for our Children's Liturgy on Sundays on Facebook.
Parish Website: SteAnneParish.ca
Office Phone Number: (519) 735-2182
Office Email: steanne@dol.ca
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Parishioner at another parish?
We realize this is an unusual time for all of us. If you are not a member of the parishes listed, we encourage you to contact your own parish for more information.
Check your local parishes' website, social media, or give them a call at the office.
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MAss will be the same...but a little different
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Don't worry, the priest and parish leaders will tell you everything. But to give you a head's up, here are some things you can expect to be different:
- WASHROOMS: Please use the washroom at home before coming to Mass. Washroom use is only for emergencies.
- PHYSICAL DISTANCING: Some pews will be blocked to ensure physical distancing. Families will be seated together and must be six feet away from others. You may be directed to a specific seat by an usher. You may be asked to enter a specific door.
- SIGN OF PEACE: There must be no contact such as shaking hands. A simple bow of the head towards one’s neighbour may be offered as a sign of peace.
- APPROACHING THE MINISTER FOR COMMUNION: You will process up the aisle, keep your mask on, and maintain a safe physical distance from others. On the floor there will be a line, six feet away from the minister of Communion. Please stay at this line while the minister says, "The Body of Christ", and you respond, "Amen". Then you will step forward to receive the Host. With the Host in your hand, step to the side to the marked area, remove your mask from behind one ear, consume the Host, replace your mask, and then return to your place in the pew.
- RECEIVING COMMUNION: Receiving Holy Communion from the Cup (the Blood of Christ) will be unavailable. On the direction of medical authorities, Communion must be distributed only in the hand. The reception of Communion on the tongue will be restored as an option as soon as the public health officials allow it.
- ENHANCED CLEANING: Enhanced cleaning procedures will be in place between Masses. Staff and volunteers will be sanitizing and cleaning before and after each Mass.
- MUSIC: There will be no hymnals (books) in the pews. Music may be limited.
- NO PHYSICAL GREETINGS: Please limit your greetings to fellow parishioners, volunteers, and priests to a wave (or an air high five).
- LEAVING: Everyone will be asked to leave the church in an orderly fashion. Please leave the church immediately after Mass and do not congregate after.
Don't worry! The priest and parish leaders will tell you everything. Listen carefully to any directions given and please follow them.We miss seeing you, and we are so excited to be back. We want to make sure everyone’s experience is safe. Thank you for your patience as we embrace this new and unusual time.
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