UPDATED:  MAY 22, 2020

These directives have been formulated based on guidelines from the CDC, the St. Joseph County Health Department, and the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. All dates and directives are subject to change as mandated by local/State government agencies, the Diocese and/or Parish leadership.

Dispensation
Bishop Rhoades has extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass for all Catholics in the Diocese until at least August 15, 2020.
 
Public Masses Resume
Public Masses will resume on Saturday, May 23.

• Weekend Masses will follow the normal schedule: Sat 5 p.m., Sun 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 5 p.m.
• Daily Masses will resume on May 25-June 5:  Monday-Friday, 8:45 a.m. only
• The regular daily Mass schedule will resume June 8:   M/W/F, 6:45 & 8:45 a.m.; T/TH, 8:45 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

 
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The regular Confession schedule will begin on Saturday, May 23: Saturdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• Confessions will take place in the west transept calming rooms to allow for adequate physical distancing.
• Please enter via the east transept doors, cross in front of the altar, and form a line on either side of the west transept (Fr. Bill –right, Fr. Nathan-left).
• A mask or face covering is required.
• A screen will available for an anonymous Confession.
• A black curtain covers the large windows of the calming rooms to allow for privacy.

 
Parish Office and Church Hours
When visiting the parish, please follow posted safety guidelines: sanitize your hands, please wear a mask, and remain 6 feet apart from others.

• The Parish Office continues to be open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• The church will be open for individual prayer (except during Masses): Monday-Friday, 8:15 a.m.*-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

 
Other Parish Activities
At this time, all other parish activities remain suspended.  Please check our parish’s website at StPius.net/AtHome for resources for spiritual nourishment during this time.

effective May 23, 2020*
*These directives have been formulated based on guidelines from the CDC, the St. Joseph County Health Department, and the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. All dates and directives in this document are subject to change as mandated by local/State government agencies, the Diocese and/or Parish leadership.

Church Capacity for Liturgies
Strict physical distancing restrictions will be in place which call for 6 feet between individuals or family units of the same household.  Based on our church’s configuration and the distance between pews, seating will be reserved to every third pew.  When the church's physically distanced capacity is reached, no additional people may be admitted into the church.
 
Who Should Not Attend
The State of Indiana recommends that churches conduct as many activities remotely as possible.  Bishop Rhoades is allowing churches to resume public liturgies, but public health officials recommend that the following remain at home and watch liturgies on TV or online:

• Those with an underlying, at-risk health condition or are immunocompromised
• Individuals who are 65 years of age or older
• Those who are sick or could have been exposed to COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.)

 
Virtual Mass and Holy Communion
For those who do not attend public Masses
Saint Pius X will continue to offer virtual Masses for both weekend and daily Masses.

• A recording of the weekend Mass will be available on the parish website to be viewed at anytime beginning on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. through Sunday.
• WMYS will continue to broadcast the pre-recorded Saint Pius X TV Mass on Sundays at 12:00 p.m.
• Daily Mass will continue to be live streamed on the website and Facebook, Monday-Friday at 8:45 a.m.

 
Holy Communion will be distributed in the church on Saturdays, 6:00-6:15 p.m. and Sundays, 1:00-1:15 p.m. for anyone who celebrates weekend Mass virtually at home.

• Enter via the east or west transept doors, receive Holy Communion, and exit via the doors in the back of church.  Please follow the posted signage and the direction of the volunteers. 
• Physical distancing will be required while in line.
• A mask or face covering will be required.

General Guidelines for Attendees

• Strict physical distancing should be followed at all times.  Please do not congregate in the parking lots, PLC, or church before, during, or after Mass. 
• All congregants must wear a mask or face covering when entering parish buildings out of concern for fellow parishioners, our priests, and parish staff (except infants and toddlers).  As noted by health authorities, the use of masks is not only for our own protection, but for those around us.
• Please follow posted signage and the direction of parish staff and volunteers.
• All are encouraged to use the restroom at home before coming to Mass.  Please use the restroom in the church only in emergency situations.

 
General Health Protocols

• All priests, deacons, and others who assist them at Mass will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19.
• Door handles, pews, bathrooms, and all other “high-contact” areas will be sanitized after each liturgy.
• Hand sanitizer will be available at all doors.
• Worship aids will be provided for one-time use only.

 
Arriving for Mass
Entry will be through the Parish Life Center (PLC) Main Entrance or Door 16 only.  Please arrive early.

• Doors to the PLC will be unlocked 30 minutes before the start of Mass.
• Seating will begin 15 minutes before the start of Mass.
• Doors will be locked shortly after Mass begins.
• When in line, maintain physical distance between family units and wear masks.
• Once inside the PLC, you will have the opportunity to drop off your weekly offertory envelope, sanitize your hands, and pick up a one-time-use worship aid.
• You will be seated by a volunteer in a safe and orderly fashion.  Please remain in your assigned pew and refrain from moving around the church before and during Mass.

During Mass

• Congregational singing has been suspended.
• Refrain from holding hands during the Our Father.
• Exchange the Sign of Peace without physical contact.
• Offertory baskets will not be passed (please drop your weekly offering in the baskets as you arrive for Mass).
• Use the back hallways or transept corridors to calm children during Mass (calming rooms will be closed).

 
Receiving Holy Communion/Dismissal

• The distribution of Holy Communion will take place at the end of the liturgy to allow for a safe dismissal of worshippers and to allow for adequate time to clean and sanitize in between Masses.
• During the distribution of Holy Communion, clergy and Extraordinary Ministers will wear masks or face coverings and will use hand sanitizer immediately before distributing Communion.
• When it is time to receive Holy Communion, all must follow the procession line when their pew is released to allow for dismissal of all attendees.
• Please patiently follow the guidance of the volunteers and maintain physical distancing throughout procession and dismissal.
• Volunteers will have plastic bins to deposit your worship aid as you exit the pew.
• Holy Communion will only be distributed in the hand.
• If you are not receiving the Eucharist, please cross your arms on your chest and you will receive a blessing.
• When your turn, receive the host in your hand, step away from the priest or Extraordinary Minister, then use one hand to pull your mask down, before picking up the host to consume it. Then return your mask to its proper place before walking to exit the church.

 
Exiting Church

• All congregants will exit the church via the transept doors immediately following Communion. 
• Hand sanitizer will be available as you exit.
• Please do not congregate anywhere on the parish campus after Mass.