COVID-19 Safety Procedures for Mass

Your safety is our priority. The following procedures are mandated from Cardinal DiNardo and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. These procedures are carried out by our Pandemic Team Members to ensure that you are able to celebrate Mass safely. We thank all of our volunteers who give their time to make this possible—please treat them with kindness. Thank you for your patience and your presence!

St Michael the Archangel Church Capacity: 25% (110 people)

Church Cleaning Procedures
• We will continue to implement cleanliness and sanitizing practices, including disinfecting pews between every Mass, disinfecting bathrooms, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces.
• Everyone is required to wear a face mask, wash hands, and submit to a COVID-19 symptom screening.

Before Arrival: Wash Your Hands, Wear a Mask
• Wash or sanitize your hands before arrival.
• Masks should be worn as soon as you exit your vehicle and for duration of Mass.

Entrance: Please Arrive on Time — No Admittance once Mass Begins
• The Narthex glass doors open 30 minutes before Mass and are locked once Mass begins.
• You must submit to no-contact temperature check by staff or team member.

Seating Process: From Front to Back of Church, Up Center Aisle Only
• Please wait for a Pandemic Team Member to seat you.
• Seating begins from front to back of the church, up the center aisle only. This is to ensure that every seat is utilized and is also important for the sanitization procedure after Mass.
• Every pew will be marked for seating with “X” in blue tape and in between the pews for social distancing (6ft). You may share a pew with your household, but social distancing is required between households (6ft).

Celebrating Mass
• No physical contact during the sign of peace or the Lord's Prayer.
• The collection will be taken up using baskets with handles by the usher. Online giving is encouraged.

Communion
• Wear your mask to Communion—stay 6ft apart from those outside of your household. There will be a single Communion line down the center aisle.
• Holy Communion will not be offered on the tongue during this time, and there is no Precious Blood offered.
• Once you receive Communion from the priest, step aside and remove your mask, consume the Eucharist, then replace your mask and return to your pew.

Departure Process: From Back to Front of Church
• Please do not leave Mass early or after the final blessing. Remain in your pew and wait for a Pandemic Team Member to dismiss your row, starting at the rear of the church.
• Please exit immediately through the Narthex.