Dear Parishioners,

Being excited about seeing you is growing, but, there is also a bit of anxiety growing within me. Let me explain.

For coming together for Mass, I want to be as hospitable as possible for our first weekend, but, I am feeling that the IHM family is going to be compromised by the seating directives that we have been given to keep social distancing for large spiritual gatherings!

We have to keep worshipers 6’ apart which means worshipers have to sit in every third row. That takes our seating capacity WAY DOWN! And I mean way down; from an 800 seating capacity to a 300 seating capacity and these numbers are calculated with all the worshipers actually sitting right next to each other, which typically doesn’t happen, but, on Christmas and Easter!

So, I have some things to consider about this. The 4:30 pm Saturday Mass and the 10:00 am Sunday Mass, before all this SHUT DOWN took place always brought in over 350 people and with that number there were still worshipers not sitting next to each other, but spread out.

Some ideas I have that are percolating in my heart and mind include:

1. 1. OVERFLOW LOCATION in the gym with the live stream
      One of the directives includes counting the worshipers as they arrive to be sure that IHM does not go over the 300 number.
   2. Reminding you that there is a dispensation remaining in place that Catholics do not incur a sin if they watch Mass on TV
      Part of that directive also says, elderly or handicapped at risk parishioners might have to wait a while at attend the church which could reasonably reduce the number of worshipers on that first weekend and beyond

So, I gather you sense my anxiety now. I have not made decisions as of yet as to how to control the numbers and seats. I need to explore these possibilities, say my prayers for a miracle that changes these directives, and patiently endure. I will get back to you later in the week.

Many Blessings,
Father Jim