2

May 22-28, 2020 Facebook @FloridaCatholic

YOUR VENICE COMMUNITY

BOB REDDY

of the Florida Catholic staff

VENICE When Bishop Frank J. Dewane announced that May 18, 2020, would be the resumption of public Mass at churches in the Diocese of Venice, a deadline for Parishes to be ready was set. At the same time directives and guide- lines for reopening were provided to the Parish. Planning sessions took place at Parishes across the Diocese and included all who are involved in preparing the Mass for the Sacred Liturgy, including the priests, dea- cons, sacristans, lectors, cantors, musicians and members of the maintenance team. These groups typically gather ahead of major Church celebra- tions such as Advent, Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Palm Sun- day, Holy Week and the Easter Sea- son, to name a few. But the gather- ings held the week of May 11 were quite different. Instead of preparing for a festive celebration with large crowds, the planning included fig- uring out how to keep individuals and families separated and safe while preserving the dignity of the Sacred Liturgy. Following Florida Department of Health guidelines - calling for 50% capacity and 6-foot separation - the planners had to reimagine how best to use the worship space to balance between safety and the needs of the faithful. Parishes had been open for prayer with enforced separation since early May. Thus, the planning for private prayer laid the groundwork for opening for public Mass. In a note to parishioners, which was followed by a video message, Administrator of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish Father Joseph Gates explained what was happening: Over the past few weeks during the coronavirus pandemic I stated several times that when we resume public Masses, the way in which we Gather to Worship' was going to

Parishes work to ensure safety for all during Mass

be different. At the same time, I did not know what that 'difference' was going to be, but I knew change was coming. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass would be the same, but the way we "Gather to Pray" would have some unique modifications. Some of you may not like the changes but know that I respect your opinion." Father Gates noted that an hon- est conversation took place be- tween the priests of the Diocese and Bishop Dewane where many thoughts, concerns and ideas were shared, but it was agreed to have this transitory stage of gathering in public as a community once again. Please keep that in mind and let us be thankful we can open our doors to worship once again. Because if we are not careful, our doors could close once more due to a second swell in the pandemic." Ahead of reopening for Mass, Parishes went through a deep cleaning and put up signs, as well as floor markings throughout church- es to indicate the flow of people, available pews and even spacing for when the faithful come forward to receive Holy Communion. Par- ishes have also committed to clean between each Mass. Several Parishes have also post- ed notices and instructional videos indicating procedures for the faith- ful to follow to ensure everyone's health and safety including how to receive Holy Communion in the hand while wearing a mask. These notices are asking for patience from the faithful as each Parish adapts to the changes and work to ensure Mass is available for as many peo- ple as possible, but all within safety guidelines. How temporary this transi- tory stage will be is unclear," Father Gates said. "But we are blessed to gather once again to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and in that we should rejoice!" Parish messages also include no- tices about changes to the seating, with some noting the maximum capacity of spaces (some as few as 30 and as high as 300). These are at maximum one-half of capacity of the respective Church and reflect the need to maintain distancing based on the specific layout of the worship space. In Parishes where there are several priests, overflow Masses will be offered in the Parish Hall. Other items of interest indicated in notices included: masks must be worn; bring your own hand sanitizer; stay home if you are sick or are in a "greater risk" category per the Centers for Disease Con- trol (the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday has been lifted until June 28, 2020); space will be lim- ited and you may have to attend Mass at a different time; entering only through the main doors; fol- low all directions of greeters and ushers; maintain distancing and limit socializing in the church; in some Parishes, Holy Communion will be distributed in the pews (a Eucharistic minister going row by row); Communion to be received only in the hand; a central location for the offertory; orderly dismissal by rows; and all other Parish ac- tivities remain suspended until further notice. In his May 12, 2020 letter to the faithful announcing the celebra- tion of Holy Mass with a congrega- tion present, Bishop Dewane con- cluded by writing: The Faithful of the Diocese of Venice have re- mained resolute in their faith dur- ing these unprecedented times, vi- brantly expressing their Spiritual Communion with Christ and His Church. Still, I am aware that there is a hunger for the Eucharist. My prayerful hope is that, strength- ened by the Bread come down from Heaven, you will emerge from these times with stronger faith. As we return to Holy Mass, let us with the psalmist, raise our voices in praise of God: I rejoiced when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'"

n

Online Resources

A special coronavirus webpage is located on the Diocese of Venice website homepage at www.dioce- seofvenice.org. Resources include links to the Mass, the prayer for Act of the Spiri- tual Communion, videos of the Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy Chaplet and Pray the Rosary by following the links for the Diocese response to coronavirus included on the Diocese homepage. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website, www.usccb.org, also posts the daily Mass readings. While the celebration of public Mass has resumed (effective May 18, 2020), Bishop Frank J. Dewane announced that for those who are at greater risk or anxious about re- turning at this time, that the dis- pensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains in ef- fect until June 28, 2020. The Faithful ought not to worry about remaining home if they are concerned for their wellbeing or that of other parishio- ners. Of course, those who are sick or have symptoms associated with COVID-19 are to stay home. While Parishes have been asked to continue livestreaming until the dispensation is lifted, the Diocese of Venice Mass live stream will contin- ue from the Catholic Center in Ven- ice at 9:15 a.m. daily through June 28, 2020, and is available through the Diocese website and Facebook pages. The Televised Mass for the Homebound is available through- out the Diocese each Sunday. In northern parts of the Diocese (Man- atee, Highlands, Hardee, Sarasota, DeSoto and Charlotte counties) the Mass airs on television at 9:30 a.m. on the CW Network. In the southern portions of the Diocese (Collier, Lee, Glades, Hendry, Charlotte coun- ties) the Mass airs at 10:30 a.m., on WFTX-TV (FOX-4). This same Mass can be found on the Diocese of Ven- ice website at any time during the week, www.dioceseofvenice.org/ tvmass. Please check local listings for channel information.

Parish donations

During this challenging time in the life and mission of the Diocese of Venice, our Parishes face in- creased risk of financial shortfalls due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its effects on every- day life. Parishes depend on weekly financial gifts to continue their ministries, especially in this critical time of crisis. The Diocese of Venice is provid- ing an online platform and encour- ages the Faithful to support their Parish. Please visit www.dioce- seofvenice.org/ways-to-give/par- ish-donations-online to donate to your Parish. The Faithful may also contribute through usual channels (e.g., envelopes, and through the Parish online giving option). To- gether we will navigate through this crisis, provide assistance to those in need, and secure the road ahead for the Parishes within the Diocese. Continue to pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died, the recovery of those who are sick, the strength of healthcare workers and caregivers, and an end to this health crisis.

n

Resources still are available online

This is a proposed configuration to ensure social distancing at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in Parrish for the reopening of public Mass on May 18, 2020. (COURTESY PHOTOS) A hose stretches across pews at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice on May 13, 2020, as part of an effort to clean the church for the resumption of Mass on May 18, 2020.