Current Procedure to Attend Mass in Our Sanctuary
While we all are excited about gathering once again as the Body of Christ, we must recognize that our Masses will look and feel different. Additionally at this time.
UPDATE: Current Dispensation Guidelines
Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer has extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass until further notice.
Those who are healthy, willing and able to comply with safety protocols and who wish to attend are encouraged to do so. Those who are at high-risk of complications from COVID-19 or who are caretakers for the vulnerable are encouraged to participate in an online or televised liturgy.
During this time of Dispensation, MOQ offers our parishioners the following options:
1) Continue to Join us through our Live Stream Mass if you chose or need to remain at home due to health concerns or illness.
2) Attend in-person mass, either on the weekend or during the week.
Capacity & Seating Availability
• To maintain a 6-foot social distance in all directions in our main sanctuary, we will only be able to seat approximately 50 to 75 people per Mass in the Sanctuary
• Because it may be impossible to accommodate all our parishioners for weekend Masses, attendance will be on a “first come first seated” basis — beginning 30 minutes prior to each Mass. We encourage parishioners to arrive early for our weekend liturgies.
• Due to the necessity to wipe down the pews and other high-touch surfaces in the church between each Mass, entrance to the church will be through the narthex center doors only
Before You Arrive
• Wash your hands.
• For ages 2 and up (per CDC guidelines), face masks are required on campus and for the duration of Mass. The best practice is to place your face mask on before you exit your car before approaching the church.
• Hand sanitizer will be supplied and required before receiving Holy Communion.
• Do NOT bring items that contain bleach into the sanctuary as this will damage the pews.
Arrival Procedures
• Wearing Face masks (for ages 2+) are required as soon as you exit your vehicle.
• Arrive 30 minutes before Mass begins to stand in line to enter through the narthex, with an emphasis on social distancing, per household as clearly defined.
• The center doors leading to the narthex will open 30 minutes prior to the start of Mass. NOTE: The side doors will not be open for entry access.
• Our designated parish volunteers will seat your household similar to boarding an airplane.
• The church will be seated to fill the open pews from front to back, every third pew. The pews between each open pew will be closed-off with a red ribbon.
• Seating preference cannot be accomplished at this time. You are asked to please follow the directives of our volunteer ministers.
• You may be sharing a pew with another household, but the social distance (6 ft) is required between the households – which may be an individual, a couple, or multiple members of a family.
• The holy water fonts remain empty.
Mass Procedures
• The Holy Eucharist may be distributed in the hand or on the tongue.
• Please keep your face mask on for the duration of Mass – except when receiving the Eucharist.
• There is to be no physical contact between households, such as the Sign of Peace or hand-holding during the Lord’s Prayer.
• Baskets will not be passed during the offertory. You will be able to place your weekly gift in a basket as you exit the church, but we strongly encourage online giving through our website.
Communion Procedures
• The Archbishop of Georgia has directed for the faithful receiving the sacred host at Holy Communion to pull down the mask just before facing the distributor so that the host may easily be placed in the hand or on the tongue and consumed immediately. (The precious blood will not be distributed.)
• The Communion line will be a single line down the middle aisle. Trained parish volunteers will assist in ushering each section.
• NOTE: Masks should be worn in the Communion line. After the minister presents you with Communion, please remove your mask, consume the Eucharist immediately in front of the distributor, and then replace your mask before you head back to your pew using the side aisles only. You no longer need to step to the side to consume the Eucharist.
Departure Procedures
• After the final blessing, parishioners must remain in their pew until dismissed.
• You must exit your pew when prompted. Private prayer is not available after Masses to allow the church to be reset and cleaned for the next Mass.
• Do not remove your mask until you are safely in your car.
• Pews will be dismissed in an orderly fashion starting in the rear of the church and then moving forward. This will be similar to how you exit an airplane (without crowding in the aisles.)
• The left and right exits at the front of the church will be utilized during departure.
• You can drop your weekly offertory as you depart.
• Clergy will not shake hands in the narthex or front plaza. They will wave as you exit.
• Please do not congregate outside but head directly to your vehicle to allow the next Mass to start on time.
Church Cleaning Procedures
• We will continue to implement cleanliness and sanitation practices, including disinfecting pews between every Mass.
• Disinfecting bathrooms, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces will occur after each mass.
• Parish staff / designated volunteers will be required to wear face masks and wash hands.
We look forward to seeing our parishioners return to mass and ask for your prayers as we follow the guidelines issued by our government and the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
