Protocols for Mass attendance at the Shrine of

St. Joseph the Worker

To maintain social distancing, seating is being restricted; ~ kindly use only those seats that are marked-out for use ~ 70 people maximum can be safely seated in the Shrine itself.

Everyone must wear a mask while in the Shrine!

Sign of Peace: a sincere nod of recognition to each other.

There will be 2 Communion Stations: ~ one at the front and one at the divider aisle ~ process single-file down the center aisle ~ return to your seat using the side aisles ~ observe one-way direction in all the aisles.

Holy Communion can only be received in the hand ~ cup one hand over the other to form a mini “throne” ~ step to one side, pull-down your mask ~ reverently place the Host from your hand into your mouth ~ replace your mask & return to your pew using the side aisles only.

Offertory donations during Mass are to be placed in any of the 4 fixed hampers (2 up front & 2 at the divider aisle) ~ please deposit your weekly offering in those hampers ~ no collection baskets will be passed thru the rows of pews.

The Final Blessing & Dismissal will follow immediately after Communion.

Please exit the Shrine by going down the center aisle by rows then using the side aisles to double back to the lobby. (maintaining social distancing all the while) * Use only the Main Entrance to exit – not the side entrance.

Any socializing before/after Mass should be brief and done outdoors.

Please refrain from touching any of the holy images/statues in the Shrine.

Opportunity to register Masses & request candles to be lit will be provided in the Lobby or outdoors after Mass. ~ take-home hand-outs offered by ushers to those who request them ~ fill them out at home and return them later.

COLD WEATHER CONFESSION POLICY

 During the Cold Weather months of the Shrine's Pandemic ministry adaptations, we will be relocating our temporary confessional from the side entrance vestibule on Lee St. to inside the Shrine.  Please enter the Shrine thru the Main Entrance and go upstairs to the Confessional Suite.  Confessions will be heard, (not in the regular confessionals there) but instead at the far end of the Confessional Suite in the back entrance vestibule (to the right of the Holy Water font).  Enter the vestibule and either kneel, sit or stand at the Head of the Stairs; the priest is seated below, at the Foot of the stairs - 10 feet away.  This positioning is the reverse of how we did it in the Lee St. vestibule). Make your confession, receive penance/absolution, then exit.

        Please practice social distancing while waiting in line in the lobby - the star-shaped markings on the floor will mark-out 6 foot separations - please advance accordingly in the line.  During Confessions times, the Shrine itself will be largely inaccessible due to the sanitizing that must be done to prepare it for the next Mass.

        We have returned to our regular Confession Scheduling: every weekday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon & 4:30-5:15 p.m; on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with 2 confessors.

        Doing our best to provide quality sacramental ministry during these very challenging times. Thank you for your patience.

Cold Weather Confessional - (Monday - Saturday)

Saturday Cold Weather Confessional in Sacristy

Click to Light a Candle  Thank you!