Dear Parishioners,
New Records
We reached new records for every single Mass and total Mass attendance inside our church.
Mass People
4 PM 132
6 PM 97
8 AM 95
10 AM 161
12 PM 141
2 PM 83
Total 709
Our previous single Mass record was about 118. Our previous total record was Christmas at 518.
I was very pleasantly astounded by how cooperative our regulars, newcomers, and visitors were. Thank you. Thanks to our ushers, readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and cleaners. We were very much blessed as we looked to our Savior for His blessing.
Seating Strategy
We worked hard to guide healthier people further into the church because they could walk farther. I was then delighted to see that we could offer seating close to the canopy entrance to those with contraptions or walking challenges. Even though our total number has doubled since two months ago, our need for contraption seating has tripled. You could see great relief in the faces of our contraption parishioners.
Please continue to cooperate with our ushers for sitting strategically. We're trying to safely fit as many people as possible inside our church.
Parking Strategy
Last night, I moved the cones by the canopy entrance so that only the two handicapped spaces on either side of the canopy are blocked. The other handicapped spaces are now available. I've kept two spaces blocked so that households can maintain six feet distance while entering and exiting our church.
When you choose a parking spot, think about which door you'll exit from. For example, those who can walk and sit in the far wing could exit via the main entrance of the church out front. If you parked by the Parish Center, you could enter via the canopy entrance and exit via the main entrance.
The rule is that we can have only one entrance into the church but multiple exits so that we can make sure we keep households six feet apart.
Easter Mass Strategy
Since we had 709 people for Palm Sunday, I anticipate between 800 and 900 people for Easter Sunday. I added even more seats in the parish hall this weekend so that some of the spots for couples are now spots for three people.
For Easter Sunday, I will set-up our back-up seats in the church foyer. I think our realistic capacity is between 160 and 190. It depends on household sizes.
Based on Palm Sunday and the group sign-ups for Easter Sunday, I think the 10 AM Easter Sunday Mass will be packed. The next most crowded will be 12 Noon. The 8 AM Mass will likely be pretty full too. We'll have the most room at the 8 PM Easter Vigil and the 2 PM Easter Sunday Mass. I tell you this so that you can be strategic in your Mass selection. We have enough room for 900+ people over five Masses but need to have you spread out fairly evenly over those five Masses.
I invite up to 190 of you to come to the Easter Vigil. It is the greatest Mass of the whole year. This year, it will be shorter than usual because of the pandemic. So, if you're never been to the Easter Vigil and can drive at night time, this is the year to come.
Confessions
Confession is available today from 2-4 PM and 6-7 PM and on Holy Saturday from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM.
God love you,
Fr. Jim