• Welcome

  Welcome to the Catholic Parishes of South Stevens County Website!

• Attending mass during covid-19 pandemic

  • All Catholics in the diocese are still dispensed from attending Sunday Mass.
  • Those who are vulnerable, at risk, or otherwise concerned must remain at home  
  • Anyone with even the slightest symptoms or feelings of sickness must remain at home.
  • Parishioners are required to wear face masks whenever they are indoors for Mass, except while receiving Holy Communion.
  • Social distancing (6 feet) must be maintained. (Members of a single household sit together.)
  • Congregational singing is prohibited.
  • Communicants are encouraged to receive the Eucharist on a flattened hand.
  • Parishioners are not to congregate before or after Mass.

• reopening requirements - updated may 27

  Masks ARE REQUIRED to be worn inside the Church unless they aggravate an existing breathing problem. This is per Gov. Inslee's announcement on Wednesday, May 27 at 2:30 pm.
  
  Obligation

  • The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains in place until further notice.  This means that although Sunday Mass is available once again, the dispensation remains for all Catholics throughout the diocese.  If you do not attend Sunday Mass, it is not a sin.
  • Vulnerable, at risk, or otherwise concerned persons must remain at home.
  • Anyone who has even the slightest symptoms or feelings of sickness must remain at home. 

  
  Occupancy

  • Parishes are permitted to offer Mass up to 50% of possible building occupancy.  Pews will be closed off with tape to limit the church to 50% occupancy.  Once the open pews have been filled observing the 6' distance between individuals or family groupings/individuals, there will be no more seating.  If you do not come early, you may be turned away.
  • A distance of no less than 6 feet must be maintained between households/unrelated individuals. 
  • The names and contact information of those attending Mass must be provided BEFORE MASS and kept on file in the parish office for 30 days.  This means you will need to arrive at least 15' earlier to write this information down on a form we will provide.
  • Please do not congregate before or after Mass. 

  
  Sanitation
  Maintaining proper distance between parishioners and containing the respiratory droplets from people is essential.

  • Parishioners are REQUIRED to wear face masks.  ​I was able to buy a limited number of masks that will be available if you do not have one.
  • Provision for hand sanitizer is mandated.  ​Like everyone else we have had an impossible time trying to obtain hand sanitizer.  If you have individual-size bottles, I encourage you to bring them for your use and the use of your family.
  • Doors to the church should be propped open to increase natural air flow.
  • Employ sanitation methods following gatherings. 
  • Pew missals, envelopes, song books will be removed.
  • Holy water fonts are to remain empty.
  • The Sign of Peace is to be omitted.
  • Do not pass the collection basket from parishioner to parishioner.​ Please drop your offerings into a basket that will be next to the front doors.
  • There is to be no procession/presentation of gifts by the faithful. 
  • Congregational singing is prohibited.

  
  Abbreviated Time for Gatherings
  Limiting the amount of time which people are gathered is recommended by health care experts.

  • Homilies should be brief – 3 minutes or less.
  • Take advantage of optional shortened bible readings and use of Eucharistic Prayer II. 
  • Liturgical processions inside church buildings are prohibited.  If possible, simply enter and exit from the sacristy.

  
  Holy Communion

  • Parishioners will receive Holy Communion only on a flattened hand.  ​Although this was only a recommendation in the Bishop's letter, I challenged this with him and the priest providing the guidelines.  Since I'm in the prime demographic for COVID19 (as are the majority of our parishioners) I will not give Communion on the tongue for my safety and the safety of others!
  • Households/unrelated individuals approaching for Holy Communion should be separated from other households/unrelated individuals following the six-foot separation guideline.  ​There will be ​blue X's​ on the carpet indicating 6' foot distancing for the communion line.  
  • Wearing gloves and using tongs are not permitted for giving Communion

   

  We will follow our regular weekend Mass schedule with Saturday Masses at 4 pm at St. Mary of the Rosary and 6 pm at Sacred Heart.  On Sunday, Mass will be celebrated at 8 am at Holy Ghost and at 10 am at St. Mary of the Rosary.

   

  Weekday Masses will resume  (with the above restrictions)  on Tuesday, June 2nd with the 6 pm Mass at Holy Ghost; Wednesday Mass at 9 am at St. Mary of the Rosary; Thursday Mass at 12 Noon at St. Mary of the Rosary; and on Friday at 9 am at St. Mary of the Rosary.  Although next Friday is First Friday, communal celebration of the Sacrament of the Sick is suspended until further notice.  With the Sunday obligation rescinded for the time being, I would encourage those of you who may be concerned about crowding at weekend Masses to substitute a daily Mass instead.

   

  Please bear with me as we implement these new strictures and regulations.  Since COVID19 can be carried by asymptomatic carriers it is essential that we observe them for the safety of all.  We are entering in a different era where we are going to be asked to make certain sacrifices for the benefit of others--as Americans and Christians we can do no less!