OMC Adjustment for Safer at Home

The “Safer at Home” restrictions issued by the City of Philadelphia, effective Friday, November 20, include restrictions for Houses of Worship.   After reviewing these restrictions, consulting with the parish staff, and exercising prudential judgment, I have decided on the following adjustments to the celebration of Mass at OMC. 
 
Sunday Mass: The “Safer at Home” restrictions for Houses of Worship, requires us  to limit our capacity at Mass to 5% of our maximum occupancy (400), which is 20 people.  In support of this requirement, we will livestream the 4:30 Vigil Mass and the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass, which will be attended only through livestream. The scheduled PPC Selection Process will take place at the 9:00 AM Mass. 

Attendance at the Saturday 4:30 Vigil Mass and the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass is through livestream only.
​There is no 7:30 or 11:00 AM Mass on Sunday.  
 
We believe that it is in the best interest of the health and safety of our parish community, our neighbors, and the common good, that we act with extreme caution. By staying "Safer at Home," and attending a livestream Mass, we will not only witness our concern for doing what is “good” by supporting the requirements for Houses of Worship in the City of Philadelphia, but we will also mitigate the spread of the virus, and not have to regulate the number in attendance at Mass (limit 20 people).  Please be assured that all Mass intentions will be fulfilled.
 
Reception of the Eucharist:  After the livestream 4:30 Vigil Mass and 9:00 AM Sunday Mass, we will offer an opportunity to receive Communion.  We ask that you come to Church  after the livestream Mass on Saturday at 5:15PM or Sunday at 9:45 AM, when a minister will be distributing Communion. Please enter thru the main doors, wear a face covering and use the hand sanitizer as you enter Church.  We ask that no more than 20 people be in church at any one time. 
 
Confessions:  Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available on Sundays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM and on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
 There are no confessions on Saturday at 3:30 PM. 
 
Church Open: The Church is open for personal prayer, on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 12 Noon, with confessions available from 10:00 to 11:00 AM; and on Wednesday with confessions available from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.   We ask that no more than 20 people be in church at any one time. 
 
Daily Mass: Presently, since the attendance at the Daily Mass (Monday – Friday) is ordinarily below 20 people, we will continue to celebrate these Masses with in-person attendance, unless the situation requires otherwise. 

Working together, with our health officials, we can slow the out-of-control spread of COVID-19 and save lives.  Please remember to wear a mask, keep social distance, and practice hand hygiene! 
 
Let us continue to pray for an end to the pandemic, for those who are ill with COVID 19, and for the 250,000 people who have died (and for their families). 
 
Our Mother of Consolation... pray for us!