My Friends,

Beginning with this Monday, May 25^th, we will begin the public celebration of Mass in the Church. Since it is Memorial Day, Mass will be at 9am in the upper church. We will continue having all daily Masses at the normal times in the upper church since it allows for greater social distancing.

On the weekend of May 30-31^st, we will begin the celebration of weekend Masses at the regular times. To best preserve social distancing, we will have Mass in the parish hall. You will be able to enter at the two south entrances. We ask that you wear a face mask. There will be some available at the entrances if you do not have one. When you enter, we ask that you sanitize your hands. We will have ushers take your temperature as you come through the door. The chairs will be lined up along the walls. We ask that you take a chair and situate yourself 6 ft. from those around you. Families can sit closer together. Hopefully there will be enough room in the hall for everyone to attend the Mass time of their choice. The Offertory baskets will be at the entrances. You can drop your envelope in before or after Mass. At Communion time, there will be 2 stations for distribution. We ask that you approach along the walls and return down the center again remembering to keep social distancing. At the end of the Mass, we ask that you please leave your chair where you were sitting.  Volunteers will sanitize your chair and return it along the wall for the next Mass.
  
On you way out, the bulletins will be available from the ushers.  For those who had their pictures taken for our 175^th Anniversary parish directory, they will be available with your name on them. Again, they will be handed to you.
  
The Bishops of Ohio have extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass. If you are elderly or have health issues, we recommend that you stay at home. If you are not feeling well, please stay at home. We will continue to livestream the Mass on the Elyria Catholic Cluster site for the weeks to come.

(Editor's note:  The following procedure for the reception of Communion is taken directly from the Diocesan website.)

• There will be changes to the distribution of Communion, including both ordinary and extraordinary ministers sanitizing their hands before and after distributing Communion, no distribution of the Precious Blood to lay liturgical ministers or the assembly until further notice and maintaining social distancing in the Communion line. Masks/face coverings are to be worn and pulled below the chin before receiving the Eucharist, then replaced.

• It is recommended that the faithful receive Communion in their hand until the pandemic is over.