My Dear Friends In Christ,
After much consultation with Staff, Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Councils, and "Reopening Committee"
members, it has been determined that we will celebrate our first slate of Masses on this upcoming weekend of
Pentecost, and they will be held at St. John's at 4 pm on Saturday and 10:30 am on Sunday. In case you are
wondering why we are not using both worship sites, I determined (after speaking to these groups) that to open
both sites simultaneously would be too daunting a task at the outset of reopening. Also, St. John's was
chosen for a variety of reasons, including traffic flow in/out of the church, ease of reception of Communion,
and the ability to maintain "social distancing" in the most effective way (since, due to Archdiocesan directives,
we are limited to 40% capacity, with people not of the same household remaining six feet apart).
MASS RESERVATIONS FOR MAY 30-31:
Please call St. Ann's at 508-586-4880 or St. John's at 508-378-4207 to reserve a place at one of this weekend's
Masses. Masses will take place at Saint John's on Saturday 4 pm and Sunday 10:30 am. Please be prepared to provide
the following information when calling: your name, phone, email, number of people attending and desired Mass time.
We are working on alternate systems of reservation and plan to have them in place for subsequent weekends.
As we resume public Mass, the following list is intended to let you know the precautions we are taking to
provide a safe, clean worshipping space as well as the social distancing guidelines that will enhance everyone's
safety. Be assured that the church will be cleaned with authorized disinfectant following each Mass
REQUIREMENTS FOR ATTENDING MASS
* In order to limit social gathering and allow time to seat registered parishioners, those attending Mass should
arrive no earlier than 30 minutes and no later than 15 minutes before the start of Mass.
* One entrance: Entry into church will be front right and left side doors (no entry through middle doors).
* All parishioners must wear masks. There are several exceptions, such as: children under the age of two, and
people with underlying health conditions. The wearing of masks for children between the ages of 2-5 is based
on the parents' discretion.
* Parishioners should bring their own hand sanitizer if possible. The church will have limited supply.
* Parishioners must maintain 6 feet of social distance between each other at all times. This does not apply
to families that live in the same household.
* Appropriate social distancing spaces will be designated on the floor/in the aisles. Ushers will provide guidance.
* Everyone will enter church using front doors and leave church using side doors. Those closest to the front doors will leave first
* There will be no sign of peace, offertory collection or singing during Mass. Baskets for financial contributions
will be available as you leave church.
* Special instructions on receiving Holy Communion will be presented during each Mass.
* To prevent close contact, the clergy will employ minimal entrancing in or recessing out of the church.
* Public gatherings before or after Mass are not permitted outside church.
While we recognize that this may appear to be "strange," it allows us to pray together, receive the Eucharist and be safe.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you are uneasy about attending such an event, please remember that the Dispensation from Reception of Communion is still
in effect. If you are in the "vulnerable/at risk" category, please remember that you need not (nor would I want you to) risk
your health and well-being. It is for this reason that I will still be taping Sunday Mass (broadcast on EB-CAM and posted on
Facebook/parish websites) and live-streaming Daily Mass on Facebook.
As we begin to come together, let us continue to pray for one another, especially those adversely by the events of these months.
Peace,
Fr. Paul
Church of Saint John, The Evangelist 
St. Ann's Prayer Line 