Our Mother of Perpetual Help

 CHURCH REOPENING VIDEO

***Correction in Fr. John's video message:..
Children 5yrs and OLDER will be expected to wear masks in church.

Fr. John's Church Reopening Message

Hello everyone, we’re so happy to be re-opening the
church and we look forward to seeing all of you again.
You have been away from the church ‘physically’ for a
long time. We want to make your experience of coming
back to church as welcoming as possible yet still keeping
all the necessary safety precautions.
I’ve heard from other parishes that when they
returned to THEIR church they felt like they were
walking into a “CRIME SCENE” with all the yellow
caution tape etc. We want our parishioners to feel like
they are at home in their church once again. This is the
place where you should feel most comfortable to
approach God who is your comfort and source of
strength especially at this most difficult time.
Before you return to church I felt it necessary to update
you on a few things:
As you know - we’re starting public masses this
weekend
Saturday mass in the parking lot at 5:00 pm
Sunday mass in the church at 9:00 am
I’ll say more about the particulars of Mass in a few
minutes.

We met Monday night with our RCIA team
We’re making plans to get the SACRAMENTAL LIFE
of the church back on track
We’ll be getting together with parents and scheduling
FIRST COMMUNIONS and CONFIRMATIONS
We’ll be scheduling dates for those in RCIA who are
receiving the sacraments
As I’ve mentioned before, on June 29th we’ll be
having an outdoor graduation ceremony for the 2020
8th Grade graduation class of OMPH.
As we welcome our parishioners back to church this
weekend, it’s important to keep in mind that Covid-19
is still a threat to public health.
To help keep everyone safe - these regular practices
continue to be important for us: ‘ 6 ft. distancing,’
hand washing and the wearing of masks.
The Diocese of Harrisburg has provided guidelines as
we slowly re-open our churches. We ask that
everyone follow these guidelines strictly and be
patient as we begin to move forward.
Bishop Gainer has dispensed everyone of our Sunday
obligation indefinitely. With this in mind, all people
who who have existing health concerns or who are not
feeling well are asked to stay home and not attend
Mass. God understands your situation, and he’s with
you wherever you are. Please continue to attend Mass
on television, the internet, or on Facebook.
If you cannot wear a face mask at this time, we ask
you to please stay home.
We encourage you to carry your own personal hand
sanitizer and to use it before coming to Mass and
before receiving Communion.
PLEASE BARE WITH ME I HAVE TO SHARE WITH
YOU THE GUIDELINES FOR RETURNING TO
CHURCH. IN ADDITION TO SENDING THIS VIDEO
OUT TO YOU - I WILL ALSO SEND OUT A PRINTED
VERSION IN THE NEWSLETTER.
All parishioners over the age of 5 are asked to wear a
mask during Mass.

Most likely church attendance will be light initially.
Families and those who live together can occupy one
bench or row.
Single individuals will be distanced from each other
by 6 feet. We will only be using every other 3rd row.
When the church is getting ‘full’ based on these
seating arrangements, we will schedule an 11:00 mass.
We will utilize one door for entering the church - (we
will use the main doors under the drive thru.)
Parishioners will be asked to seat themselves, starting
from the front of the church to the rear, observing the
instructions of the ushers who will ‘usher’ them into
the church.
I realize many of you have your preferred places in
church to sit, but I ask you please during this time to
please sit where the usher directs you.
The “cry room” will NOT be used until further notice.
Hymn books have been removed and there will be no
congregational singing nor will choirs be allowed until
further notice. A musician and cantor will provide
music.
We will have one reader do the readings.
There will be no Eucharistic Ministers at this time.
The priest will process down the aisle at the beginning
of Mass during the opening song.
There will be no offertory procession. Baskets will be
placed on the far ends of the sanctuary steps for the
offertory collection. Before receiving Communion, if
you have an offering you may drop it into one of the
baskets before receiving Communion. Thank you for
your support during this Pandemic.
Communion will take place after Mass
At Communion time (after Mass), parishioners are
asked to follow the instructions of the ushers and
come to communion by the SIDE aisle one section at a
time and return by the CENTER aisle, observing the 6
feet distance guidelines.

Everyone should leave their seat or bench, even if you
do not plan to receive Communion, in order to avoid
people having to step over one another.
During this time of Pandemic we strongly ‘encourage’
you to receive the Eucharist in your hands. When you
meet the priest - pull your mask below your chin and
stretch out your hand to receive the Eucharist - then
step to the side and place the Eucharist in your mouth
before returning to your seat maintaining the 6 feet
distance from the person next to you.
The priest will not deny anyone who wants to receive
Communion on the tongue, but since Covid-19 is
highly contagious, the priest will have to sanitize his
hands whenever he touches someone’s hand or gives
Communion on the tongue.
Please return to your seat for a time of prayer after
communion. After the closing song we ask you to
follow the ushers for dismissal instructions.

5:00 MASS OUTDOORS
Mass will be in the School parking lot at 5:00 pm
We ask you to follow the instructions from the Knights
of Columbus as you pull into the school parking lot
We ask you to stay in your car for Mass with your
masks on
Please tune in to FM radio station 87.9 to listen to the
Mass
Communion will take place after Mass
Two priests will be giving out Communion
The priest will go to a station to give out Communion
One car at a time will go the station to receive
Communion - please follow the instructions of the
Knights of Columbus
The person will drive to the station where the priest is
giving out Communion - please get out of the car and
go to the priest to receive Communion
During this time of Pandemic you are strongly
‘encouraged’ to receive in the hand.
Offertory baskets will be placed in a convenient place
on the way out of the school parking lot for those who
would like to leave a contribution.
After you receive the Eucharist we ask you to kindly
leave the parking area following the exit instructions.

If you watch the Mass live- streamed at home and would
like to receive Communion you can receive Communion at
11:00 under the church drive thru. Tune into 87.9 FM.
THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND YOUR
PATIENCE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING
YOU - GOD BLESS YOU!

Fr. John                                                                                     

Our Mission is to celebrate the real presence of Jesus in our Eucharistic worship and empower ALL to be Disciples of Christ.

Our Vision is to be a welcoming community, witnessing our faith in Christ and growing in our relationship with Jesus as we journey together toward eternal salvation.