elcatholics.org/precautions

We Are Open!  Come to Mass, Come for Reconciliation, Come for Adoration,
Come and Be With Jesus!

Sunday Mass Times
8:00am     10:00am     Noon     7:00pm

Weekday Masses
Monday and Wednesday:  5:30pm 
 Friday: 12:15pm


Last 8:45pm Mass is April 29.
The 8:45pm evening Masses will resume in the fall at the start of MSU.

Click Here for Mass Times at St. Thomas

Guidelines for Attending Mass
*Be Patient with One Another

• Wash hands before arriving. 
• We do not recommend using the restrooms.  It is not possible to social distance.
• 6 ft social distancing will be kept at all times for people from different households 
• Everyone attending will wear a mask throughout Mass - only taking it down to receive Communion - and please bring your own hand-sanitizer to use before Communion
• Congregational singing temporarily discontinued
• Hands will not be held during the Our Father between people from different households 
• Holy Communion will be distributed in the hand
• Avoid gathering in church before or after Mass - please take social distanced conversations outside so parish staff can clean and prepare for next Mass 
• Parishioners are asked to leave from the church starting with the back row so that crowding doesn’t happen 
• Please follow all door signs and instructions given during before, during and after Mass

Precautions we’ve taken:

• Hand sanitizer will be available all over church
• Holy Water fonts and Hymnals were removed
• Offertory baskets have been removed – boxes are available in the back of the church. You can drop in your offering or go online to elcatholics.org/giving to donate.
• Every other pew is roped off - please leave these ropes in place
• The floor is marked to keep 6 ft. distance between communicants
• Anyone distributing Holy Communion (including priests) will be required to wear face masks while distributing Communion and use hand-sanitizer if one’s hands become compromised during Communion distribution
• Distribution of the Precious Blood will be discontinued until further notice
• Parish staff will monitor the doors to make sure 25% capacity is not reached
• Sign of peace will be given from the altar, but not between parishioners
• Restroom use is discouraged.  (Social Distancing is not possible in our restrooms)

“The wind blows where it pleases; you can hear its sound,
but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.  
So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8, NJB).

 
As we are not always prepared for or able to receive the Eucharist, it is helpful to make an ‘act of spiritual communion’ by prayerfully asking for the graces of the Blessed Sacrament whenever we are not able to physically receive it.  For the Spirit moves as it pleases and God can grant tremendous blessings whenever and wherever.  (Such prayer is advantageous for those who are not Roman Catholic and do not receive Communion at Mass.  One may always ask God to provide the very same graces spiritually.  This devotional act is well worth trying and is a beautiful way to participate at Mass.)  In this way, we can spiritually commune with God hundreds of times a day if we like.  Here are two common versions of this prayer; however, one may compose one’s own version as needed.  You may even want to structure your own post-Communion prayer based on these humble sentiments of love and trustful surrender.
 

O Jesus, I turn toward the holy tabernacle where You live hidden for love of me.  I love You, O my God.  I cannot receive You in Holy Communion.  Come nevertheless and visit me with Your grace.  Come spiritually into my heart.  Purify it.  Sanctify it.  Render it like unto Your own.  Amen.  – Sacred Congregation of Indulgences

My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament.  I love You above all things, and I long for you in my soul.  Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You; never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.
– St. Alphonsus de Ligouri

For more information, go to Our Catholic Prayers – devotional information,
including a summary of spiritual communion:
ourcatholicprayers.com/spiritual-communion