Sacred Heart is following the guidance of the Diocese of Worcester, who is in direct contact with public authorities regarding re-opening.  Read Bishop McManus’ initial decree here.  Read Bishop McManus' updated (11-16-20) guidelines here.

Read Massachusetts updated guidelines (3-1-21)  guidelines here.
 
The maximum number of staff and attendees allowed in the building will be 100.
The 9:30AM Mass will be live streamed with distribution of Communion immediately after Mass.
 
At this time, we are asking parishioners to follow the recommendations below:

• If you or anyone in your family is ill – stay home and watch live stream
• If you or anyone in your family is immuno-compromised – stay home and watch live stream
• If you or anyone in your family has been exposed to anyone with coronavirus – stay home and watch live stream
• If you are in the high-risk group (over 65) - consider watching live stream

To watch 9:30 Mass - click here.
 
SOCIAL DISTANCING IN CHURCH

• The number of attendees entering the church will be counted to ensure compliance with the maximum occupancy level.
• All attendees, ministers and staff MUST wear face coverings or masks in accordance with COVID-19 Order No. 31 and the Department of Public Health’s Guidance while inside and while entering and exiting the church. 
• Everyone entering the building will be asked to sign in with name and phone number in the event that contact tracing is necessary.
• Pews will be marked to ensure >6ft between individuals.
  • Attendees who are not part of the same immediate household must be seated at least 6 feet apart.
  • Members of the same immediate household are permitted to sit together and less than 6 feet apart.
• Only designated pews will be utilized
• The family room will be CLOSED.  For children between age 2 and 5, the wearing of a face-covering or mask is at the discretion of the child’s parent or guardian. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a face covering or mask.
• Sacred Heart may refuse entry to a person who refuses to wear a face covering or mask for non-medical reasons.
• Entrance into the church will be by the front doors ONLY.

 
STAFFING & OPERATIONS

• NO communal gathering pre or post Mass is allowed (e.g., No Coffee And).
• Food Pantry food donations will continue to be collected.
• Cherub’s Corner and Kids Chapel will be Closed.
• A no-touch basket will be utilized to collect contributions during Mass. On-line giving and contributions through the mail are preferred.
• To limit contact with others, Fr. Bill and Deacon Tom will bring Communion to everyone in their pews. Hand sanitizer will be available to everyone before receiving Communion followed by Fr. Bill and Deacon Tom distributing communion.  "Nobody moves...nobody gets hurt."

 
 CLEANING & DISINFECTING

• Sacred Heart shall be cleaned and disinfected between each Mass, including high-touch surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, bathrooms, microphones, shared instruments).

 
SACRAMENTS
The Sacrament of Penance

• Confessions will be heard in the Day Chapel on Saturdays from 3:15-3:45PM. 
• Both Priest and penitent must be masked and at least six feet apart.
• The confession should not last longer than three to five minutes, in order to limit exposure of both Priest and penitent.

Anointing of the Sick
Persons diagnosed COVID+

• Priest must be under guidance of a medical professional who will provide the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Persons not diagnosed COVID+

• Both the Priest and the sick person should be masked.
• The Priest should maintain at least six feet from the sick person at all times.
• The rite is celebrated as usual using a Q-tip dipped into the oil and anoint the sick person on the forehead only.

Funerals

• Funeral Masses may be celebrated with the same restrictions as for any Mass, including social distancing and liturgical adaptations.
• The family should be seated by the Funeral Director upon arriving in Church.
• Funeral rites while observing a strict social distance of six feet.
• The Priest should refrain from greeting the family at the end of Mass

Weddings
The Sacrament of Matrimony may be celebrated with the same restrictions as for any Mass, including the appropriate provisions for social distancing and liturgical adaptations.

Baptisms

• Only individual Baptisms may be celebrated with a prudent limitation on the number of people present and the requisite considerations for social distancing. 
• All rites should take place with the family remaining in the pew.
• Either the parents or godparents approach the font while carrying the child and then, after the explanatory rites, return to their pew.
• All who are present wear masks throughout, with the exception of the child to be baptized.

Remember the importance of:

• Good handwashing for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Limiting close contact with other people – must maintain 6’ distance
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow….and throw the tissue into the trash.