Saint Thomas More Parish

On May 26^th, updated guidelines were issued from the Office of the Vicar General of the Diocese of Spokane for all parishes in the dioceses.  Whereas all are still strongly encouraged to practice social distancing and wear face coverings while at church, there is now the option of not wearing face coverings by those who are fully vaccinated from Covid-19.
 

• If you are not fully vaccinated from Covid 19, you must wear a face covering while in the church, and you must maintain at least 6 feet of distance from those not in your household.

• If you are fully vaccinated from Covid 19, you are encouraged to wear face coverings and socially distance, but you may choose to not wear a face covering, and you can be closer than 6 feet from other vaccinated people not in your household.

This is being implemented on the honor system.  Please, out of respect for the health and well-being of others and yourself, do not defy these guidelines if you are not fully vaccinated.

At Mass, until further notice, we will still receive the Body of Christ in the hand; the Precious Blood will not be distributed; and there will not be the Sign of Peace.

If you would be uncomfortable coming to Mass because you know you may be around people who choose not to wear face coverings and/or socially distance, please stay home and watch a Mass on TV or livestream, and come to the church at either 5:30 pm (after the 4:30 Mass) on Saturday or 12 noon (after the 11 am Mass) on Sunday to receive Communion.

The question has come up that, with the removal of the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, and the continued mandate for social distancing for non-vaccinated people, what happens if, God willing, many people return to Mass but there is not room in the church to accommodate them?  One response is that, since the dispensation has been lifted, we have not had that occur; our capacity would be about 250 people (depending on the “groups” of people present which impacts the number of people who can be in a pew with proper distancing); our highest number of people at a Mass to date has been 180—there is plenty of room for those who come.  If it happens that the current Masses are getting “full,” we will add a Mass or Masses if necessary.  You can help: if you notice the church filling up, and you are fully-vaccinated, seek out other vaccinated people and sit near them, clearing space for others.