Daily Mass Schedule

9:00AM in English (Monday - Friday)
6:00PM in Spanish (Monday - Friday)
9:00AM in English (Saturday)

Weekend Mass Schedule 

Saturday: 5:30PM in English & 7:00PM in Spanish 
Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:30AM, 11:30AM, & 5:30PM in English 
1:30PM in Spanish 
(The 9:30AM, 11:30AM, and 1:30PM will be Live-Streamed)

Unfortunately, we cannot simply resume things as we did prior to the suspension of public Mass. Rather, all of us will need to make accommodations and adjustments so that we can participate in the sacraments while keeping our fellow parishioners and ourselves safe. Below, you can view guidelines that have been established for the observance of “social distancing”, the use of hand sanitizers, and the wearing of masks (or other face coverings). Please view the guidelines below. For other Confession and Adoration information in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, please visit: COVID-19 Response Update

Guidelines for
The Resumption of the Public Celebration of Holy Mass

Saint Andrew Catholic Church

General Principles 

Catholic Theology

“As Catholics, we maintain that Christian worship and sacraments are just as necessary for the human person ‒ indeed, far more necessary ‒ as many commercial activities now permitted. This is particularly true in a time of widespread anxiety and potentially grave sickness.  According to public health authorities, it is possible to provide the Mass and the sacraments to the faithful in this period.  The following is based on current guidance issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other public health authorities.”[1]

A dispensation from the obligation to participate in Sunday Mass remains in effect for all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Miami.  Furthermore, the elderly, anyone who is sick, those with underlying health conditions, and those caring for the elderly or infirmed should not attend Mass in person, but rather join via livestream (or even a televised Mass).

Livestreaming of the Sunday Masses in English at 9:30 am and 11:30 pm and at 1:30 pm in Spanish will continue until the end of August.

The Church teaches us that Christ is fully present in both the sacred host and the precious blood. Therefore, someone who receives Holy Communion under only one species (the host or the precious blood) receives the whole Christ.  “Since Christ is sacramentally present under each of the species, communion under the species of bread alone makes it possible to receive all the fruit of Eucharistic grace” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1390).

How the Coronavirus Spreads

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (April  22, 2020), “[t]he virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person,  mainly  through respiratory droplets  produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.  The spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).”  The CDC adds: “Currently, there is no evidence to support the transmission of COVID-19 associated with food…In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging.”

Precautions before, during and after Mass

Parish facilities

The church and social hall are being and professionally cleaned during the week.  Between Masses, these facilities are being disinfected.

The doors to the Church and the Social Hall are designated as “Entrance Only” or “Exit Only”.  Ushers will be available to open the doors to greet the faithful when they arrive, and they will open the doors for exiting.

Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available at the entrance of the Church and Social Hall.

Masks

All the faithful participating in Mass are to wear masks.  Masks should be worn before, during and after Mass.  Masks are to be to be removed in order to receive of Holy Communion (cf. below).

The priest, deacon and other liturgical ministers will not wear masks during Mass because they will maintain the required social distancing from one another and the congregation. Hence, there is no substantial risk of infection.[1]  All who distribute Holy Communion will wear masks.

Social Distancing

Everyone is encouraged to maintain a physical distance of at least six feet while on the church property (in the parking lot, in the church or social hall, when using the restroom, when greeting fellow parishioners before or after Mass, etc.).

Ushers will help seat the faithful to keep social distancing.  Please follow their guidance.

Members  of  a  single  household  do  not  need  to  practice  physical  distancing with each other  and  so  may  sit  together  in  the  same  row – those who live together may sit together.

At the 9:30 am, 11:30 am and 1:30 pm Masses, when a safe capacity has been reached in the church, it will be closed and the faithful will be directed to the social hall where the Mass will be transmitted via livestreaming.  If a safe capacity is reached in the social hall, it also will be closed.

Social distancing should be maintained during the procession for Holy Communion.  Markings on the floor will show six-feet intervals.

Liturgical Adaptations at the Holy Mass

Suspended liturgical actions

The following liturgical actions are suspended:

• The use and availability of holy water.
• The offertory procession (bringing the gifts of bread and wine to the altar).
• The holding of hands during the praying of the Lord’s Prayer.
• The exchange of the sign of peace.
• The distribution of the Precious Blood at Holy Communion.

Music and Missalettes

Music will be led by a cantor or a small schola, but not full a choir.  Missalettes and hymnals will be removed from the pews.

Collection

The collection baskets will not pass from parishioner to parishioner.  Rather, we will have collection boxes at the entrances and exits of the church.  Please place your offering or FaithDirect family card in the box as you arrive or leave.

The Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion

The sacred character of the Holy Eucharist can never be compromised.  Our actions during the Holy Mass must always reflect our firm belief in and our reverence for the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, even as we take prudent measures for public health.

Therefore:

• The procession for receiving Holy Communion is to be a single line, maintaining social distancing.
• Only the Consecrated Host will be distributed at the time of Holy Communion.
• Those distributing Holy Communion will wear masks but not gloves. In addition, they will use hand sanitizer as needed.
• In the interest of their own health and that of fellow parishioners, the faithful are strongly encouraged to receive Holy Communion in the hand, even if this is not their usual preference.
• Communicants are to remove any face coverings before coming forward for Holy Communion.
• Holy Communion may not be received in the hand if the communicant is wearing gloves.
• Those who still choose to receive Holy Communion on the tongue will do so after those who have received Holy Communion in the hand.

Additional Prayers

Prior to the final blessing, the priest will lead the faithful in the praying of three Hail Marys.

Dismissal

In order to maintain a safe social distance, the faithful will leave the church one pew at a time and using the “Exit Only” doors.  The ushers will offer guidance.

The priest may choose to greet the faithful after Mass while avoiding physical contact.  If so, he will wear a mask.

 

[1] Guidelines on Sacraments and Pastoral Care, Working Group on Infectious Disease Protocols for Sacraments & Pastoral Care, p 1.

[2] “The Mass is imbued with powerful sacramental and liturgical symbolism. Wearing a mask and gloves would be a detrimental counter-sign in this context, and it is not warranted by considerations of hygiene if the priest remains a proper distance from the congregation” (Guidelines on Sacraments and Pastoral Care, p. 6).