St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

A special thanks to all who assisted in the parish grounds clean-up on Labor Day weekend!! We are so blessed to have caring people who answered the call for assistance in tidying up the property. We will be spreading mulch in the spring so mark your calendars now.

These guidelines/directives will remain in effect by order of Bishop Murry and will be revised or changed should further directives be issued by the Governor of Ohio, the Bishops of Ohio, or Bishop Murry. They are considered to be temporary until it is determined safe to return to normal circumstances.

• The faithful who reside in the Diocese of Youngstown will continue to be dispensed from their Sunday obligation until further notice.
• It remains important for those who are at great risk to refrain from retuning until such time they feel comfortable and confident to do so.
• Those who are symptomatic or have been exposed to anyone with the virus within 14 days  should not attend Mass.
• Broadcasting of Sunday Mass will continue on You Tube at 10:00 am Sunday morning.
• Seating within the church will be every other  pew, spacing between those in that pew is six feet apart.
• All hymnals and Missalettes will be removed. There will be disposable worship aids available and will be discarded after each Mass.  
• Restroom doors should be propped open to lessen contact.
• For distribution of Communion, markings on the floor will keep parishioners spaced six feet apart.
• The Cry room will be closed.
• Large gatherings before and after Mass are discouraged.
• Worshippers are strongly encouraged to wear masks or face coverings
• Only two people per restroom will be allowed at one time.
• Eucharistic Ministers, Deacons and Priests need to wash their hands before Mass begins and once again before the distribution of Communion.
• All liturgical minsters are to practice physical distancing at all times.
• Since the distribution of the cup is suspended, the Deacon can distribute Holy Communion.
• The Lectionary, Book of the Gospels and ambo will be sanitized for each Mass.
• Hospitality Ministers (greeters) should direct people to areas for seating and the doors to the church should be propped open.
• The practice of passing baskets or plates for the collection is temporarily suspended. In the gathering space there will be a large basket where contributions can be made before or after Mass. At the same location weekly bulletins will be available but are not to be handed out.
• There will be no presentation of the gifts brought forward by parishioners. The Deacon will bring the gifts from the credence table.
• Physical contact during the Lord’s Prayer (holding hands) and the Sign of Peace is suspended. A polite bow to those seated near you is sufficient.
• Distribution of communion to the homebound will continue.
• It is highly encouraged and strongly recommended that the  reception of Holy Communion be given in the hand and not on the tongue.
• The location of Eucharistic Minsters for the distribution of Communion will remain as before, but look for the markings on the floor to leave a safe space between those receiving communion.
• Holy Communion is not to be distributed with gloves, nor may it be received in the hand with gloves. All Eucharistic Ministers are to wear masks when distributing communion.
• If wearing a mask, those approaching the Eucharistic Minister  are to pull their mask below the chin and replace it after receiving the host.
• Upon the conclusion of the distribution of Holy Communion, the Priest, Deacon and all ministers are to discreetly use hand sanitizer.
• After Mass, parishioners are encouraged to take any worship aids, or books home with them and not to return them to the church.
• No receptions or social gatherings are to be held.

 
 
All funerals and weddings are still bound by the State requirement of no more than 10 people.