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We are so excited to be able to welcome you back to Mass at St. Rita.  First and foremost, all the guidelines and procedures outlined here were made with your health and safety in mind.

Please be patient and check our website for updates regularly. 

Under the direction of the CDC, the state, and the Diocese, St. Rita can safely accommodate 25% of our total capacity, which is around 125 people per mass.  

SHOULD YOU COME TO MASS?

Each person must make the decision of what is best for themselves and their families, keeping in mind that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is suspended until further notice.  Not everyone has the same level of comfort when it comes to public gatherings. If you choose not to return quite yet, don’t worry; you are still with us in spirit as we continue to worship and you can join us for a weekend Mass online.

Please stay home for others’ safety if:

• you or someone in your household has cold, flu, or COVID symptoms
• you or someone in your household has been recently exposed to someone who may be sick
• you have been traveling or have been in large groups

 Please stay home for your own safety if:

• you are a primary caretaker of a vulnerable person
• you or someone in your household is at risk because of pre-existing conditions or age.

 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET HERE?

Plan to arrive 15 to 20 minutes prior to the Mass' starting time so that we can get you in safely.  

 You must bring your own mask and wear it throughout the Mass, except for consuming Holy Communion. This includes anyone ages 2 and older.  Please put on your mask before exiting your vehicle.

Please follow the directions of our hospitality ministers.

Your household will sanitize your hands, check-in, and be escorted to a seating area in the church that is appropriately sized for your household.  Seating areas have been marked with colored tape.  Please sit between the colored lines that indicate your seating area and remain there throughout the Mass.  

The Holy Water fonts will remain empty.

 Please be on time – once Mass begins, no one else will be admitted. 

 CHANGES DURING THE MASS:

• No congregational singing or choirs at this time due to increased respiratory output while singing; hymnals have been removed; please pray silently while our cantor does the singing for us.
• The Mass readings and longer responses wil be printed in the bulletin, which you will find on your seat when you arrive.  Other information will be shown on the screens.  Please take your bulletin with you when you leave.
• No physical contact between members of different households for greetings, the Sign of Peace, and the Our Father.
• Holy Communion will be brought to you in your seat.  Cross your arms over your heart if you will not be receiving.
• Holy Communion cannot be received with gloved hands.  Bring hand sanitizer with you if you wish to use it right before Communion.
• If you need a low gluten host, let us know on your reservation form and we will seat you in an area where Fr. Tim will know to look for you.
• No distribution of the Precious Blood. 
• Collection baskets will not be passed during Mass.  Offertory envelopes and donations may be dropped in labeled collection baskets in the greeting area or in the donation slot. Online giving is strongly encouraged. 
• No Children’s Liturgy.  Children are always welcome at Mass; if you need a space for someone who is unable to wear a mask or stay in one place for the entire Mass, let us know on your reservation form.  We have a limited number of separate spaces available per Mass for individual households.
• There are limited roles for altar servers at this time (no robing, sitting up front, or going onto the altar).  One lector will do all of the readings for a Mass.
• Restrooms will be available in case of emergency and will be disinfected after each use.  

If you require accommodations to attend Mass safely due to disability or other medical need, please indicate your needs when you fill out your reservation form or by contacting the parish office.

 DISMISSAL PROCEDURES:

Kindly remain through the entire Mass.  After the closing song, we will say three Hail Mary's together, a variation on our usual parish tradition. We ask that you stay seated until your family is dismissed by row, starting from the back of the church.  For your safety, keep moving directly to your cars and do not stop in the greeting area or congregate on the front sidewalk.   You may stay for private prayer after Mass, but please remain until all rows have been dismissed.

 CLEANING EFFORTS:

Before you arrive, after you leave, and between any masses, all commonly touched surfaces will be wiped down and disinfected.  Outside doors will be propped open to limit touching.  Hand sanitizer is available on the way in and out of the building.