Sunday Liturgy - Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Saint Anne Family:

On Wednesday, March 10, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted held a webinar with the pastors of the Diocese on the topic of social distancing in our Eucharistic celebrations. Father Fred Adamson, Vicar General of the Diocese, also participated in this webinar.

We were informed of the imminent publication of an Apostolic Exhortation by our bishop on the Holy Eucharist, entitled Veneremur cernui, and of the efforts of the Diocese to encourage the faithful to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

In relation to social distancing, there is still today what is usually referred to as the "35% rule", which limits the capacity of churches to that percentage in order to ensure the possibility of observing the “6-foot social distance” between people or families. That is to say, until now, the Diocese has not allowed more than 35% of the maximum capacity of the churches for Mass attendance.

However, in order to enable parishes to receive an ever-increasing number of faithful who wish to return to the Holy Mass, the Bishop informed us of his decision to adapt the "35% Rule" to the needs of our parish communities and to allow each pastor to accommodate this rule according to what he considers appropriate for his community.

There are still people who are reluctant to return to Eucharistic celebrations where social distancing is not observed. At the same time, there are also families eager to regain the normalcy we lost at the beginning of this pandemic. Moreover, every weekend for this last year, our St. Anne family has been counting on the admirable collaboration of so many volunteers who have dedicated hours and hours to the task of organizing access to the church and who after such demanding and sacrificial service are tired and deserve a rest and more time with their families.

After having spoken with Fr. Joal and Fr. Job, the deacons, Pastoral Council, and the parish staff, and after time of prayer and reflection, I have decided to take the following steps regarding weekend Masses effective Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021:

1. Until now, at St. Anne there have been two types of Masses: those at which the use of masks did not allow for any exceptions (mandatory), and those at which exceptions were permitted (required). At both of these, the "35% rule" was observed. Beginning on April 4^th, 2021, there will be a third type of Mass at which the 35% limit will be increased to allow more people to attend. These Masses will be the Sunday Masses at 11:30 am English, 1 pm Spanish, and 3 pm Latin.

2. The weekend Mass schedule will now be as follows:

- Masses where the "35% rule" is observed and the use of masks admits NO exceptions: Saturday 3 pm - English, Sunday 7 am - English, Sunday 5:30 pm Spanish.

- Masses where the "35% rule" is observed and the use of masks DOES admit exceptions: Saturday 4:30 pm - English, Saturday 6:30 pm - Spanish, Sunday 8:30 am - English, Sunday 10 am - English.

- Masses where the "35% rule" will not be guaranteed and the use of masks DOES admit exceptions: Sunday 11:30 am - English, Sunday 1 pm - Spanish, and Sunday 3 pm – Latin.

3. For this last option of Masses, in which the "35% rule" will not be guaranteed and the use of masks admits exceptions, the system of acquiring "tickets" on the parish ticketing system that we have in place for the other weekend Masses will no longer be in force. In other words, there will be no need to show a ticket and there will be no staff or volunteers at the entrance of the church or in the parking lot organizing access to the church.

4. Individuals and families who choose to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at 11:30 am- English, 1 pm- Spanish and 3 pm- Latin, should be aware that the 6-foot social distancing at these celebrations is not guaranteed. Therefore, people cannot be required to social distance or to mask, by the parish or by others in the church, in order to attend these Masses. Therefore, I advise those who wish to observe social distancing to attend the Masses which will follow the established protocols of online seating reservation and access to the church organized by staff and volunteers that we have used at St. Anne since the beginning of the pandemic.

I want to conclude by thanking all of you for your patience with the Church and with me. I especially want to thank our volunteers and staff who will have more time to be with their families on the Lord's Day. I pray that God will grant us a full return to normality soon and that more and more people will fruitfully participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, where Christ offers himself to the Father for the salvation of the world.

I will announce the schedule for the imminent celebrations of Holy Week very soon.

Fiat Voluntas Tua

May God bless you all,

Fr. Sergio

1. GENERAL QUESTIONS

Q: Public Masses have been resumed with restrictions. Does that mean I have an obligation to attend Sunday Mass?

A: On March 16, 2020 Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted dispensed all Catholics residing in or visiting the Diocese of Phoenix from the obligation to attend Holy Mass. This general dispensation continues in force, so there is no obligation to attend the Sunday Mass in person.

Q: Is it a sin not to attend Mass while the general dispensation is in effect?

A: No, not attending Sunday Mass is not a sin in these circumstances.

Q: What does Bishop Olmsted recommend that I do?

A: Bishop Olmsted asks vulnerable persons (those over the age of 65 and/or with underlying chronic health concerns) to stay home.

Likewise, he encourages those who feel most secure at home to follow the Mass online.

For the well being of everyone, Bishop Olmsted asks those who are sick or exhibiting symptoms of illness remain at home.

Q: What does the Diocese of Phoenix recommend that I consider in making my decision?

A: Even with all precautionary measures taking place, we must still be mindful and aware that risk of exposure to the virus remains for those who attend and accept personal responsibility for our own health and safety.

Q: Father, what do you recommend as the pastor of St Anne?

A: I will repeat the first words that I shared with you in March when this problem began: “My purpose is not to avoid spreading the disease. I leave that to the provident hand of God, to the civil authorities, to the common sense and conscience of each person. Each one must choose in the presence of God and according to his personal circumstances what degree of exposure he wants to have to a possible contagion. Here at St. Anne, our goal is to give our families the opportunity to make the decisions they consider best for them in light of the virus.”

Q: Will Masses continue to be streamed on the Internet through our parish website?

A: Yes. Please click here for Mass times.

Q: Will Holy Communion continue to be distributed for one hour after the Sunday Mass as it has been in recent weeks for those who choose to follow the celebration online from home or the parking lot?

A: Inside the Church, there will be ministers to distribute Holy Communion on Saturday after the 4:30 pm Mass for a few minutes.

2. SCHEDULING QUESTIONS

Q: What days and times will Masses be and in what languages?

A: There will be 3 vigil Masses on Saturday, at 3 pm and 4:30 pm in English and another at 6:30 pm in Spanish. Beginning June 7th, on Sunday, we will have Masses in English at 7 am, 8:30 am, 10 am, and 11:30 am. On Sunday, Mass in Spanish will be at 1 pm and 5:30 pm.

Q: At what time must I arrive at St. Anne to enter the church for the Holy Mass?

A: The church doors will open 30 minutes before the start of each Holy Mass. 10 minutes before the Holy Mass begins, all the attendees must be seated in their designated seats waiting for the beginning of the celebration. Please be punctual so that the celebrations may begin without delays or disturbance.

Q: At what time will Holy Communion be distributed for those who follow the celebration from home or in the parking lot?

A: There will be ministers to distribute Holy Communion on Saturday after the 4:30 pm Mass for a few minutes.

3. SEAT RESERVATIONS / TICKETING SYSTEM QUESTIONS

Q: Will I have to buy tickets for the Saturday afternoon or Sunday Mass?

A: No, there is no cost to attend the Holy Mass.

Q: Do I need to reserve tickets for the Saturday afternoon or Sunday Mass?

A: All Saturday vigils, the Sunday 7 am, 10 am, and 5:30 pm Masses require tickets. The Sunday 11:30 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm Masses do not require tickets.

Q: How do I reserve tickets?

A: You simply follow this link: https://ticketor.com/stanne

Q: Is it necessary to bring the ticket with me to the parish?

A: Yes, it is necessary. There are two options: 1) print the ticket at home, or 2) have it available on your cell phone to present at the door.

Q: I don't know how to use the Internet. How can I get a ticket for Sunday Mass?

A: Those who are not able to obtain tickets online can call the parish office and staff will assist them in acquiring a ticket. The parish office phone number is 480-507-4400 and assistance will be available to our parishioners, in both English and Spanish, on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 11 am.

Q: If I reserve my ticket by phone, will I need to bring a printed ticket with me to Mass or on the phone the day of the celebration?

A: People who reserve their ticket(s) by phone will receive all of the necessary information regarding their reservation at the time it is made: Mass time, number of seats, section and row and seat numbers. They are responsible to bring this information with them when they come for the Holy Mass and provide it to the volunteers who are at the door who will confirm it.

Q: I come to Mass by myself. Can I reserve an individual ticket?

A: Yes, you may reserve an individual ticket.

Q: Can families reserve tickets for all of their family members at the same time? Will they be able to sit together in the same pew?

A: Families must reserve a ticket for each member of their family who will be occupying a seat. These tickets may all be reserved at the same time. Family members living in the same household may sit together in the same pew without safe distancing from one other.

Q: Are there places reserved for disabled people? Can those tickets be reserved through the same process?

A: Yes, there are seats designated for people with limited mobility and/or wheelchairs. Tickets for these seats can be reserved through the ticketing program and we ask that only those who need them, and their family members use them.

Q: What is the deadline to reserve tickets for the upcoming weekend?

A: The ticketing program will automatically close at the Start of each Mass. The system will reactivate the following week for the next weekend at 9am on Wednesday mornings.

Q: I forgot to reserve my ticket. Does that mean I will not be able to attend Mass in the church?

A: Those who have not reserved tickets, but wish to attend Mass that weekend, may come to the church 30 minutes prior to the Mass and attempt to fill one of the remaining available seats. The parish cannot guarantee that those without tickets can be accommodated in the church.

Q: What will the process be for those who did not reserve tickets?

A: There will be a designated line at the main entrance of the church specifically for those without tickets. After those with reserved tickets have entered the church, as many people as can be accommodated will be allowed to enter: first come, first served.

4. QUESTIONS ABOUT CHANGES IN THE LITURGY

Q: Has the Diocese of Phoenix established any changes in the liturgy?

A: Yes, Bishop Olmsted has asked for certain changes in the liturgy of the Holy Mass within the various alternatives offered by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) and the authority granted to him in liturgical matters by the Code of Canon Law.

Q: What changes can I expect?

A: The Bishop’s decisions include the following:

- Physical distancing in the pews between individuals who are not of the same family/household.

- Absence of altar servers and reduction in the number of liturgical ministers at each Holy Mass.

- No passing of offertory collection baskets during the Holy Mass (to make your donation, please follow the following link: https://stanneaz.org/#donationArea )

- Suspension of the offertory procession.

- Avoiding shaking/holding hands except for family members.

- Suspension of the Sign of Peace.

- Spacial distancing while waiting in line to receive Holy Communion.

- Separate lines depending on whether Holy Communion is received in the hand or on the tongue.

- Mandatory use of masks for the ministers of Holy Communion during the distribution of the Body of the Lord.

- The ministers of Holy Communion who distribute the Body of the Lord on the tongue must sanitize their hand after each person who receives Communion.

Q: Is communion allowed in the hand and on the tongue?

A: Yes.

Q: Who decides which way a person receives Holy Communion?

A: The person who receives Holy Communion.

Q: What does the Bishop recommend about the reception of Holy Communion?

A: The Bishop says: “Recent scientific literature has made us aware that the COVID-19 virus is present in high concentrations in saliva that is why the salivary test is being made known and is being published in peer reviewed journals. With the distribution of Holy Communion on the tongue, it places the faithful, vulnerable people and ministers at risk if a minister were inadvertently to come into contact with saliva. Considering this new knowledge, Bishop Olmsted is asking to please encourage the faithful, for the time being, to receive in the hand. This shows no lack of reverence or understanding of the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ in the Eucharist. But it is important for the common good and the safety of the community.”

Q: Do I have to sit somewhere in particular to receive Holy Communion on the hand or on the tongue?

A: No, there will be lines for each way of receiving Holy Communion on both sides of the sanctuary. This information will be provided during the Mass at the time for reception of Holy Communion.

5. QUESTIONS ABOUT SANITARY MEASURES

Q: In addition to everything that has already been mentioned in the previous questions, are there any additional hygiene requirements from the Bishop?

A: The Diocese requests the suspension of hugs and handshakes before or after Holy Mass. In addition, it is requested that the dismissal of the people should be done in an orderly way to ensure distancing. Finally, the Diocese asks that people avoid gathering before or after Holy Mass.

Q: Are there any other added sanitary recommendations from the Bishop?

A: The Diocese strongly recommends minimizing contact with people and the use of masks is strongly recommended. Those who come to the parish are also encouraged to bring their own masks and hand sanitizer.

Q: Is the use of masks and/or gloves obligatory for the faithful who participate in the Holy Mass?

A: Yes. Please see Fr. Sergio's message on this subject.

6. FINAL QUESTIONS

Q: How long will this plan be in place for the Sunday Masses?

A: Changes will be made as we refine the process and as the Diocese has directed us to adapt and accommodate.

A. M. D. G.

The fullness of life and of joy is found by giving oneself for the Gospel and for our brothers and sisters, with openness, welcoming and goodness.

April 22nd at 4:30am · @Pontifex