MAY 21, 2020 UPDATE
Bishop Vasquez has granted us permission to begin the reopening of public Masses!  However, there is no obligation to attend Mass in the Diocese of Austin.  Our Live Stream will remain available.
 
You are reminded to follow CDC recommendations regarding your own health.  If you fall within an “at risk” category, please stay home and join us by Live Stream. Bishop Vasquez has advised and encourages “the following parishioners to not attend Mass and to remain at home: (i) those who are sick; (ii) those who are 65 or older; (iii) those who have been advised by health care workers or caregivers to not attend Mass; (iv) those who sincerely believe that attending Mass will jeopardize their health or the health of a person with whom they reside; and (v) those who sincerely believe that because of the limitations imposed by the temporary protocols attending Mass is not reasonable”.
 
Our first public Sunday Mass at Holy Cross will be Sunday May 10th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.  This is part of Phase 1 of our parish reopening and will have many new protocols that all parishioners must follow to attend Mass.  These procedures will be reevaluated weekly.  If you would like to attend Mass please read through this email and thank you for your patience and compliance.
 
CAPACITY

• For now, Masses will be limited to 25% capacity across the diocese.  For Holy Cross that equates to 72 parishioners in our main sanctuary and Weber Hall per Mass. 
• Because it is impossible to accommodate all of our parishioners for the Sunday 10:00 a.m. Mass, we planned on using a pre-registration system to ensure that no one traveled long distances to attend the Mass and then were denied access because there was no capacity.  But the Diocese has discouraged us from using a pre-registration system.  As a result, as soon as we meet our capacity, please understand that we will have no choice but to deny parishioners access.
• If the demand greatly exceeds 72 parishioners for the Sunday 10:00 a.m. Mass, we will consider adding the Saturday Vigil Mass to increase our capacity to 144 parishioners per weekend. Hopefully, this will provide an opportunity for those who cannot attend the Sunday 10:00 a.m. Mass (either because we have exceeded our capacity or because you attended the previous Sunday) an opportunity to attend a weekend Mass on Saturday.
• Unfortunately, we cannot have a Sunday 8:00 a.m. Mass at this time because it doesn’t provide us with an adequate opportunity to sanitize the sanctuary between Masses. We will continue to evaluate these policies on a weekly basis to try to accommodate everyone who wishes to attend weekend Masses.
• Please try to be patient and understanding during our Phase 1 opening as we continue to try to balance the spiritual needs of our parish community, and the need to create a safe environment for all of our parishioners and staff.

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BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

• Wash your hands.
• For all ages, face coverings are required on our parish property.
• The cry room is closed.
• Bring your own hand sanitizer that can be used before receiving Holy Communion.
• Do not bring items that contain bleach into the sanctuary as this will damage the pews.

 
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

• Masks for all ages should be worn as soon as you exit your vehicle.
• Arrive 20-30 minutes before Mass begins and stand in line 6 ft. apart.

The back gate of the church will open 20 minutes prior to the start of Mass. The main door on 11 ^th street will be closed for entrance but will be 

• opened after Mass for exit. If you need to use the elevator, please let the staff know on arrival
• Our parish staff will seat your household similar to boarding an airplane.
• The church will be seated to fill the open pews from front to back.
• Every other pew will be closed and marked by red tape on the floor.
• You may be sharing a pew with another household, but social distance is required between the households (6 ft.).
• The Sanctuary has been clearly marked, please do not try to remove or readjust any of the markings.
• The center sections will be seated first.
• The holy water fonts remain empty.

 
MASS PROCEDURES

• Masses will be conducted as you have seen on the Live Stream with reduced volunteer lay ministers. 
• Communion will be distributed by clergy only.
• Please keep your face mask on for the duration of Mass.
• There is to be no physical contact between households at the Sign of Peace or hand holding during the Lord’s Prayer.
• Baskets will not be passed during the offertory.  You will be able to place your weekly gift in a basket as you exit the church, but we strongly encourage online giving.

 
COMMUNION PROCEDURES

• Bishop Vásquez has encouraged that communion not be offered on the tongue for the time being.
• The precious blood will not be offered to the congregation.
• Use of personal hand sanitizer before communion is strongly encouraged.
• There will be a single communion line in the center of each main aisle. Parish ushers will assist in ushering each section.
• Masks should be worn in the communion line in the center of each main aisle.  Parish staff will assist in ushering each section.
• Masks should be worn in the communion line.  After the priest offers you communion please step to the side (left or right depending on where you are seating), remove your mask, consume the Eucharist, and then re-mask as you head back to your pew.

 
DEPARTURE PROCEDURES

• After the final blessing, parishioners must remain in their pew.
• Pews will be dismissed in an orderly fashion starting in Weber Hall, the rear of the church and then moving forward.  This will be similar to how you exit an airplane.
• You must exit your pew when prompted.  Private prayer is not available after Sunday Masses.
• Clergy will not shake hands during your exit.  They will wave as you exit.
• Please do not congregate outside but head directly to your vehicle to allow all of the parishioners to exit the church.
• FLC building will not be open and there will be no coffee or drinks served after Mass.

 
CHURCH CLEANING PROCEDURES

• We will continue to implement cleanliness and sanitization practices, including disinfecting pews between every Mass.
• Disinfecting bathrooms, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces occur throughout the day.
• Parish staff will be required to wear face masks and wash their hands.

 
As you can see, liturgy is our main priority at this time.  All parish activities remain suspended until further notice.  Any weddings and funerals that are scheduled would adhere to the above protocol.  Stay tuned for additional information about the celebration of other sacraments.

• In Christ, Pastor: Fr. Basil Aguzie, MSP