Dear St. Aloysius Parish,
As the Easter season continues, may you know the hope of the resurrection and know Jesus’ joy. I want to give an update on some of our COVID protocols, announce some changes as more people are becoming vaccinated and we are now in Phase 3 in Washington, and finally say a word about our weekend Mass schedule.
Beginning with the Masses for Sunday May 2, we will no longer ask you to pre-register for Mass via Eventbrite, phone calls, or emails. If you want to come to Mass on Sunday, or any other day, please just come. When you arrive, we will no longer check you in — just come in and sit down to pray. You will notice the plexiglass screens will be removed at the entrances. Our parish will continue to ask all in attendance to wear masks and keep six feet social distance between households.
The staff and I have regularly been discussing the weekend Mass schedule. At this time my decision is to keep our current schedule. This decision is driven by Mass attendance. While under state guidelines we are allowed 50% capacity or 400 people, we must also continue to ask that you maintain six-foot distance between households. Due to this protocol, the church , with the balconies in use, can hold about 250 congregants. Under this rubric, our regular Mass attendance is not challenging us to begin having four Masses per weekend because we still have room at the Masses, especially at the 9:45am and 11am. When Mass attendance rises or we move to Phase 4, we will re-establish our regular weekend Mass schedule. I know many of you are anxious for the return of the 5pm Saturday Vigil and 7pm Sunday Masses. We will get there, but for now our decision is based on demand.
Sincerely,
Tom Lamanna, S.J.
Pastor
