UPDATE EFFECTIVE May 22, 2021
At the Chrism Mass for the Diocese of St. Petersburg on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, His Excellency Bishop Gregory Parkes announced “that the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days for Catholics in the Diocese of St. Petersburg will expire on the Vigil of Pentecost, Saturday, May 22, 2021.” There are exceptions to the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days if you are sick, caring for a loved one who is sick, might have fears of returning to public Mass at this time, and so on.  However, if we are going to restaurants, shopping, or spending time with family members then it is time for everyone to return to Sunday Mass.

While we seek to continually adapt for the safety of our parishioners, we also urge individuals and families to take personal responsibility to protect themselves and to make appropriate decisions that best meet their needs.  Attending Mass in person is the long standing tradition and custom of our faith, and so we are joining with our diocese to joyfully welcome the faithful home after an unprecedented period of restricted in-person worship.

Here are some guidelines that have been updated with the latest suggestions from the Diocese of St. Petersburg dated April 20, 20201:

• Masses with lighter attendance are the 6:30 pm Spanish Vigil Mass on Saturdays and the 7:30 am English Mass on Sunday mornings. 
• Masks are encouraged to be worn in the church during Mass unless you are fully vaccinated. 
• Clergy and laity who are in close contact with parishioners, such as when distributing Holy Communion, hearing confessions, administering baptism or confirmation, will continue to wear masks and sanitize frequently.
• Masses will continue to be livestreamed at 7:30 am (English) and 9:30 am (Spanish) on Sundays.
• Hospitality ministers and ushers should avoid physical contact such as handshakes when greeting parishioners and distributing bulletins.
• The offertory procession (bringing up the gifts for Mass) may return.
• Hand sanitizer will continue to be available at church entrances and in the sanctuary.
• Holy water fonts have been refilled with water and changed often.
• Hymnals and missalettes are available in the church.  We will continue to project the lyrics to hymns on the screen.
• We will continue to sanitize the church regularly and keep the fans on during Masses for ventilation.

As a community of faith, we have come to time to move forward but cautiously.  Please continue to wear masks while in the church building, keep hands clean either by washing with soap and water or using a hand sanitizer, and maintain sufficient distance.