Beginning Wednesday, June 3, we began offering the following public liturgies:

• Monday-Saturday | 8:15 AM
• Sunday | 8:15 AM, 11:00 AM, and 5:00 PM
• (Saturday’s 5:00 PM Lord’s Day vigil Mass will continue to be private and live-streamed; we will also continue to live-stream the 8:15 AM Mass seven days a week.)

Mass attendance is now limited to 48 households, which in this case means those currently living at the same address. Congregants will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis.
 

All Public Masses (all but the Saturday 5:00 PM vigil) no longer require registration!
All may attend as often as they would like.

Congregants are asked to observe the following:

• If attending Mass might otherwise put you or others at risk, whether because of your age (65+), medical reasons, or close proximity to someone who is ill, please stay home.
• Stay home if you feel sick or have flu-like symptoms, especially a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, or if you come into close contact with someone who is sick.
• Remain at least six feet away from others outside your own household.
• Face coverings (covering nose and mouth) will be required. Very young children (two years or younger) and those with conditions that prevent them from wearing a face covering are exempt.

What will be different about the liturgies?

• Upon arrival, congregants may need to wait outside the main Stanford doors to be ushered into the church, please arrive at least 15 minutes early.
• Ushers will be onhand to direct you to specifically designated seating areas.
• Communal holy water basins have been emptied.
• Hymnals, missalettes, and other shared items will be removed from common areas.
• There will be no congregational singing or choirs, since singing increases the risk of spread.
• The Sign of Peace has been suspended.
• There will be no communal collection during Mass. We invite you to donate online at https://nativity-mn.org/online-giving. You can also submit envelopes at the doors.
• Communion will be distributed on the way out of Mass, without the Precious Blood.

What about the Sunday obligation?
The Sunday obligation remains suspended. Furthermore, if the idea of attending a large Mass makes you uneasy, consider attending a daily Mass, where there are typically smaller congregations (you can also check the SignUpGenius ahead of time to see how many people are expected to attend), or simply stay home.

How will we receive Holy Communion?
We will not receive Holy Communion during mass. Instead, at the end of mass, an usher will dismiss each household, one at a time. Simply proceed to the back of church, use the hand sanitizer on the wall by the main doors, and the minister will meet you outside on the front step. Please leave your mask on until after you have said “Amen” to receive Communion. You can then proceed directly home.

May I bring the Eucharist to family members who cannot come?
If you would like to be authorized to bring communion to a family member who cannot come to mass, please remain by the sidewalk cones until communion is finished, mindful of social distancing. You will then be given a booklet with some instructions, and receive a blessing. If you do not have a designated metal pyx, please contact our pastoral care coordinator Nancy so that we have enough on hand to loan to you. Those who are returning a pyx but did not just attend mass may also meet at the cones at this time.
 

Acceptance of Risk

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists anywhere people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and people with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Nativity of Our Lord has undertaken precautionary cleaning, disinfecting, and implemented social distancing guidelines to help reduce the risk of exposure. However, we cannot guarantee that visitors are 100% safe from exposure to COVID-19. Therefore, Nativity as well as the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis recommends that people over 65 or with underlying health conditions not attend Mass at this time and continue to worship online. Attendance at liturgies is at your own risk.
 

Live-Stream Disclaimer

Finally, please be aware that the 8:15 AM Mass will continue to be live-streamed seven days a week, as well as other Masses, Sunday or otherwise, on occasion. While are not planning on panning or zooming into the congregation, we cannot guarantee that congregants would never be viewable on screen. As such, by attending any of our Masses, you are accepting the possibility of being shown on the live-stream and give your permission to do so.