In light of the recent announcements from Governor Hogan and Archbishop Lori regarding the growing concern about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) here are the following measures that we at Seton Parish will be adhering to for the foreseeable future, until otherwise notified. 

PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY:

• We cannot cancel Masses however the Archbishop has lifted the obligation to attend weekend Mass.
• Weekend Masses will continue as scheduled with the addition of a 4:00 pm Sunday Liturgy.  Daily Mass will still be held Monday-Thursday at 9:00am, including Tuesday at 6:30 pm during Lent.
• As directed by Governor Hogan, Masses cannot exceed 250 people.  We will be monitoring the number of folks coming into the building at each Liturgy and cut off at 250.  In order to keep this in effect we will be only allowing people in through our main front doors.
• If you are over the age of 60, have a chronic illness or immune system deficiency, feeling symptoms of illness, or if you are concerned that you may become ill by attending mass PLEASE STAY HOME.  You are not bound by the Sunday Mass obligation.
• We will be livestreaming our 9:30 am Sunday Liturgy.  Please feel free to watch from home via our:

1.  Website https://www.seaseton.org/Resources/Media
2.  Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/seaseton/
3. YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClDiiJ1iUwSaow-w2syraGw

• To avoid the crowds on the weekend, you are welcome to attend the daily Mass during the week.
• We ask that if you do attend Mass, please leave an empty seat between your family and the next.
• Holy Communion will be distributed in the hand of the communicant, and not on the tongue.  We will not be distributing the Precious Blood. All Holy Communion ministers will continue to use hand sanitizer before and after the distribution of communion.
• We will cease from passing the collection baskets at Liturgies.  Ushers will have baskets available as you leave. We also encourage you to sign up for online giving at https://www.givecentral.org/location/454.
• We ask that you not shake hands at the Sign of Peace and refrain from holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer.
• In an effort to minimize touchable surfaces, we have removed the Holy Water containers at each entrance.  We have also removed the hymnals from the church for the time being.
• All evening and weekend meetings are cancelled until further notice.  This includes Lenten faith sharing groups, Soup and Bread, Stations of the Cross, choir practices, Family Faith Formation, Thursday evening Faith Formation, Sacramental Preparation, High School Youth Ministry, Scripture studies, Evenings for Women, Centering Prayer,  On Your Way Home and any committee meetings.
• Our Parish Offices will remain open during the normal scheduled hours of 9:00am-4:00pm Monday through Friday.
• Our Food Pantry will remain open during it’s normal scheduled hours of M-W-F 10:00am-3:00pm to serve those in need.

I cannot emphasis this enough: IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL PLEASE STAY HOME AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!

I am sorry that we have to take these measures and for the inconvenience that this will cause, but our priority is the health and well-being of our parishioners.  Please continue to pray for those suffering from the flu, COVID-19, for those trying to contain it from spreading, for our Healthcare professionals, and our State and National Leaders.

Sincerely,

Father Paul Sparklin, Pastor