Reopening our Church for Private Prayer

May 31, 2020

Dear Saint Bernadette Parishioners,

First and foremost, we hope that you are doing well amidst these unusual and challenging COVID times. As you may have heard, the Archdiocese of Chicago has announced a gradual reopening of churches in various phases that offer different services. The intent of gradual opening is to assure that the needed precautions are in place and enforced as we increase our parish activities, all while maintaining safety for one another.

As we move forward in this plan, we need to let you know, that things will not be the same in terms of what has been the norm for us over the years. The simple things of your “favorite seat” will be replaced with the 6ft social distancing rule. Specifically:

There will be identified areas where you can sit in church and a new process for moving around the church and exiting.
All participants will be asked to enter church with a mask being worn (if you need a mask, please contact the rectory and we will drop one off for you).
All participants will be given a “squirt” of sanitizer for your hands with the provided a CDC approved solution that we ask that you rub into your hands thoroughly.
Once masses resume, you will be directed to new procedures and a path to follow when it comes time for Communion.
We are asking all parishioners who are physically able to enter the church through the main doors on Francisco. Those who are using and the handicapped parking on the North side of the church near the sacristy, please use those doors.

While this will be new to all of us and change may be difficult for us to honor, it is of the utmost importance that these guidelines are followed to allow us to move forward in reaching each of the four phases safely. Please follow the direction of our volunteers who are there to help and maintain safety for all of us.

The opening of St Bernadette will begin with private prayer with no more than 10 people at any one time are present. We will begin Sunday, May 31 from 8:30am to 12 noon and to remain open during those same times each day. Parishioners who wish to participate in prayer will need to sign up to attend. This can be done by calling the rectory to reserve your seat or signing up electronically using SignUpGenius. Times will be on the hour and half hour with a 20 minute allotted segments for each time slot. A signup is required to assure that you are a part of the 10 seats which will be open. We do not want anyone coming to church and then having to be sent away because we have reached our limit. Once we can assure that these processes are working, we will then move to the next phase of the program, Sunday and daily mass. Once we are certified to move to that phase, we will let you know through our website, social media, and Fr. Benedykt's weekly robocalls.

As discussed earlier, things will not be the same, but our reasons for coming together in prayer and thanks are still the same. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this new norm. We look forward to joining together in prayer and thanks for being able to celebrate the first phase of reopening our Church once again safely.

Sincerely,

Fr. Benedykt Pazdan and the Reopening Leadership Team

John Woolley and Char Bermele (Co-Leaders)

Carol Zofkie (Greeter Captain)

Maribeth Rodela (Cleaning Captain)

Brian McNamara (Set-up Captain)