Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
This week Bishop Olson announced that, in accordance with the guidelines for safety issued by the State of Texas, we will be able to resume regular celebration of weekend Masses. It is important to note that things have not returned to “normal”—Bishop Olson’s announcement is the first step of several that will restore the normal sacramental life of the Church of Fort Worth. The guidelines issued by the State of Texas will be in effect and will be strictly followed:
 

*PEOPLE MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING AT ALL TIMES AND WITHOUT EXCEPTION* 

•  No more than 25% of the legal capacity of the Church may assemble at any one Mass. Additionally, parishioners must be spaced at least 6 feet apart.  At St. Bartholomew, this means we can seat no more than 128 in the Church at any particular Mass and an additional 108 in the Great Hall.  
• Only 236** worshipers can be accommodated at any one Mass.
  • ** This figure was revised downward from an earlier theoretical capacity of 332. It proved impossible to properly space that many people, so the actual number of parishioners allowed in the church and Great Hall will be only 236.

*PROCEEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED AT MASS*

• Come to Mass early.  Fifteen or twenty minutes early.  As you line up to enter the Church maintain a distance of 6 feet from others.  Do not shake hands. Doors will be unlocked 30 minutes before the start of Mass.
• You will be greeted by an usher at the door of the Church.  You will be seated by an usher.  Stay in the seat you are assigned!  Do not move around!  Do not move into the blocked off pews.  Remember—social distancing is for your protection and for the protection of others. In charity and justice we are obligated to follow these procedures.  
• Do not hold hands during Mass or during the Our Father—we will not be returning to these practices even when “normalcy” returns.  There will be no sign of peace and no greeting before Mass begins.
• When it is time to receive Holy Communion, EVERYONE must walk up in the communion line.  You may not remain seated in the pew and have people walk over you or past you.  Remember social distancing!  If you are not receiving Holy Communion please put your hand over your heart and you will receive a blessing.  In the communion line follow the direction of the usherand maintain 6 foot spacing! On the way back to your pew maintain spacing.  Everyone will come down the center aisle to receive communion.  (People in the narthex and chapel—Stay in your places. Holy Communion will be brought to you. People in the Great Hall—stay in your place, Holy Communion will be brought to you in your places).
• Communion may be received in the hand only.  
• Please do not move chairs in the Great Hall or the narthex.
• You will be dismissed at the end of Mass pew by pew, starting in the back. Please leave quickly and return to your cars.  This weekend is not a time to come and visit with friends, as much as we would like to. Things are not normal—the virus has not passed!  Your desire to “feel normal” could cost someone their life if, God forbid, the virus is passed from one person to another. 

**BISHOP OLSON IS ALSO REQUIRING EVERYONE AT MASS TO WEAR A MASK BEFORE AND AFTER AND THROUGOUT THE CELEBRATION OF MASS**

 
Do not come without a mask.  You will not be admitted. There can be no exceptions made.
 
Be on time. The doors of the Church will be locked as Mass begins.  During this time of pandemic, it would endanger others if you try to “slip in” after Mass begins.
 
Because movement in the Church is problematic please use the restroom only if absolutely necessary. If you get up everyone in the pew will need to stand up and file out to accommodate you.  Often bored children like to get up during Mass and walk to the restroom—again, think of others.
 
Although some might think these rules are extreme—they are not.  As we tentatively “restart” the celebration of Mass our first thought must be the protection of others and ourselves.  In a time when things are not normal we cannot proceed normally. By wearing a mask at Mass, you are demonstrating your willingness to protect the safety of others—this is a visible sign that you are concerned about your brothers and sisters.  An obstinate refusal to comply with Bishop Olson’s directive could signal a self-centered lack of concern for others.
 
This experience of “restarting” the celebration of Mass also gives us an opportunity to reflect on what exactly we are doing at Mass and why we are here.  The first and most important reason we come to Mass is because we owe Almighty God our worship.  God commands us to gather.  We don’t come to be “filled up” with whatever it is that we personally need.  We come to worship God—in that experience we are filled.  These coming weeks can be a time for real introspection and growth.  Instead of coming in and talking to friends before Mass—take this time and kneel down and pray.  Christ is present in the Blessed Sacrament—pray to him!  We all need to be reminded that the Catholic Faith is all about Christ
 
Remember that the dispensation from Sunday Mass Obligation remains in effect. If you would have difficulty following these guidelines feel free to stay home. If you have any symptoms even if they are from allergies or a cold, please stay home.