Dear Parishioners,
Bishop Brennan has approved our plan for resuming public Masses.  We will restart Masses on Pentecost weekend, May 30-31.  Our Mass times will be as follows:  Saturday 4:30 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM, and Sunday 5:00 PM.  We set these times to give us more time to clean the worship space between Masses. 

Bishop Brennan has extended the dispensation from attending Sunday Mass until further notice.   Therefore, parents, please do not bring children between the ages of 0-7 to Mass. Likewise, I recommend that anyone suffering from a serious ailment, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer/cancer survivor, poor immune system, etc., refrain from coming to Mass. Please use common sense.

We can accept only 50 people per Mass.  You must sign up for Mass on e-event which is on our Facebook page,  ascensionhurricane.org.  Families must sign up each individual attending.  Once we get 50 names, that Mass will close.  An usher will check the list for your name as you enter and direct you to your seat(s).  If you do not use Facebook, call Carolina to register:  850-304-3481.  You must register by Friday 6:00 PM.

In order to resume Masses, there are many stipulations that you and I must follow:

1.  We need ushers!  We only have five and none for the Sunday afternoon Mass. If we don't get enough ushers, we will have to eliminate at least one Mass.

2.  We must wear masks.  You may wear gloves, but not when receiving Holy Communion.

3.  The doors will open ten minutes prior to Mass.  Remain in your cars until we open the front doors.

4.  Use hand sanitizer as you enter.  In order to keep the parish from depleting its supply, please bring your own sanitizer, if possible.

5.  Worship aids will be on your seats. 

6.   No congregating in the gathering space.  An usher will take you to your seat(s).

7.   Families may sit together.  However, we are seated only in the even numbered rows, at least six feet apart.

8.  The cry room, kitchen, and restroom in the kitchen will be closed off.  Likewise, the hallway leading to the classrooms will be closed off.

9.   We will not use altar servers or extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist for the time being.  The only lay ministers will be lectors and ushers.

10. Specific changes at Mass:
a.  No procession or recession
b.  Cantor will sing the Responsorial Psalm from the choir
c.  No taking up collection.  As you come to communion, place your envelope in the collection baskets in the first row
d.  No bringing up the bread and wine
e.  Sit during the Eucharistic Prayer because it will take us more time to clean the kneelers after Mass.
f.   No holding hands during the Lord's Prayer
g.  No sign of peace
h.  Communion
     I)  Only the priest will distribute Holy Communion
    2)  One line only
    3)  No wearing gloves
    4)  Keep social distance when coming to communion
    5)  Wear masks as you receive the Body of Christ
    6)  Step six feet to the side, lower your mask, and consume communion
    7)  No reception of the Precious Blood (except for someone who has celiac disease; if so, please let me know before Mass begins)
** Bishop Brennan encourages everyone to receive communion in the hand; however, he cannot demand it.  Those who want to receive on the tongue will receive communion last.  I must sanitize my hands between each distribution.

10.  As you depart, leave your worship aids on your seats.

11.  Sanitize your hands as you depart.  No congregating in the gathering space.

OTHER INFORMATION
1.  Per the Bishop's instructions, the parish will NOT have regular business hours for the time being.  Many of our office dealings can be handled by email or phone calls.

Fr. Bill 681-313-0620  wmatheny@dwc.org

Amanda 304-382-4673  aperkins@ascensionhurricane.org (Finance)

Carolina 850-304-3481  cleachman@ascensionhurricane.org (Mass sign-up, youth, DRE)

Cathy   ascensionwv@hotmail.com (Mass intentions, updating personal/family data)

Pat 304-881-4639  patjcarey@yahoo.com (Maintenance)

Ilyana 812-344-7304  ilyano.kano@gmail.com (Music)

2.  Weekday Masses will begin Tuesday, May 26.  We will have two weekday Masses:  Tuesdays, 6:00 PM and Thursdays, 8:30 AM.  We must follow the same guidelines for weekdays as we do on weekends. The rosary may be prayed 20 minutes before Mass. 

3.  We will continue to have confessions under the picnic cover.  Confessions will be:
Saturday, 3:00-4:00 PM
Sunday, 3:30-4:30 PM

4.  For the time being, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will continue as we are doing it now. 

Do you just feel as if you've finished reading the IRS tax code?  It will take us time to adapt to the changes.  I know we will all be patient and understanding.  For many of us, returning to Mass and receiving the Eucharist is of paramount importance.  God bless you.
Fr. Bill