URGENT MEMORANDUM UPDATE

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH KALIHI, HONOLULU

The Following COVID-19 Safety Guidelines are in effect at St. John the Baptist Church until further notice (Subject to change)

1. Process to reserve a seat to attend Holy Mass at St. John the Baptist:

*Weekday Mass will be “first-come, first served” in order of arrival. No reservations are required (smaller congregation); all other guidelines apply.

Weekend Mass require a reservation:

• Visit http://saintjohnthebaptistkalihi.eventbrite.com (bookmark this link for repeated use)

• Click on the date and hour you want to participate in.

• Click on register.

• Select the amount of “tickets” (seats) you want to reserve and choose Register.

• Next, type your First and Last Name, then, type your email address, then uncheck the blue checkmark, choose Register.

• If you want to repeat the process for someone else, or to sign up for another Mass: Press X in the top right corner.

• You will receive an email confirmation, but you do NOT need to bring any confirmation or ticket with you when you come to Mass.

• If the Mass you would like to attend is full, please sign up for a different Mass.

• If you experience difficulties signing up, please call the office at 808-8450984.

2. The Bishop has extended the dispensation for physically attending Sunday Mass until June 30. This means that not physically attending Sunday Mass is not a sin at this time. Bishop Larry will periodically consider extending the dispensation as needed.

3. If you are sick or vulnerable to getting sick, as an act of charity, PLEASE STAY HOME.

4. Face mask (any covering of nose and mouth) is required at all times for everyone.

5. Please use bathroom sinks, and/or bring your own hand sanitizer as you enter, so they see you using it or let them know you have cleaned up. (Donations of supplies are encouraged and appreciated).

6. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before Mass to observe social distancing at all times, individual sanitizing, face masks, etc.

7. There is one way in (side door) and two way out (side door and main entrance).

8. The church will be filled observing social distancing, skipping pews in between, starting from the front to the back by order of arrival. Please follow the ushers' directions.

9. Please avoid touching any surfaces (pews, seat back of the bench in front of you, doors, etc.) anywhere in the church to reduce the risk of getting sick.

10.Hymnals, missalettes, and printed materials will be removed until further notice.

11.Once you are seated, PLEASE STAY IN YOUR SEAT until Communion time. If you have an unavoidable emergency, an usher may assist you. BE PATIENT, plan ahead.

12.The collection will be as usual.

13.There will be no physical contact during the Lord's Prayer or the sign of peace. During the sign of peace, a simple bow, hand wave, or other appropriate gesture will suffice in place of physical contact with others.

14.The Communion Cup of the Precious Blood will not be distributed to the assembly at this time. We Catholics believe that when we receive Holy Communion in either form by itself (Consecrated Bread or Consecrated Wine), we fully receive the Lord Jesus Himself, really and truly present in Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

15.Your mask stays on until right before you are going to receive Holy Communion, remove it to consume the Communion Host, and then you put it back on immediately afterwards. When the priest or minister approaches you, you prepare yourself by doing the following:

• Extend your hands before you, placing your hands with your palms lying flat and open (do not cup your hands), with one hand on top of the other, “making an altar with your hands like a throne to receive the King of Kings”.

• We highly encourage you to please receive Holy Communion in the hand at this time.

After the Final Blessing, REMAIN IN YOUR PEW. Then proceed in an orderly fashion to your vehicle. The church has to be empty to be promptly sanitized and prepared for the next Mass. Do not gather outside after Mass.

As Bishop Larry Silva has assured us, “Yes, these are bothersome requirements, but they are necessary for the continuing health and safety of all during this global pandemic.”

Saint John the Baptist Church A Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu 

June 8, 2020 

Dear Saint John the Baptist Catholic Parish Community, 

Greetings in Christ! I hope you and your families are well during the current pandemic.I would like to start by thanking you all for the unconditional support you have shown me as your administrator here at Saint John the Baptist Church and School. You are a blessing to me and to Saint John's Parish Community. 

Saint John the Baptist School, Parish and the Diocese of Honolulu have been working hard over the recent years to address the economic challenges caused by declining enrollment and increased operational costs of the school. Enrollment had already reached dangerously low levels for Saint John the Baptist School to be viable. The current pandemic significantly worsened the school's already difficult financial situation, since fewer families can afford enrollment. Because of these factors, the quality education Saint John's School had been able to provide was no longer possible, as fewer and fewer students meant more budgetary compromises had to be made. 

We have been in consultation with the Office of Hawaii Catholic Schools with representation of the Diocesan Finance and Human resources offices for some time. In accordance with diocesan parish finance council norms, I have also consulted with the Saint John's Parish Finance Council about the viability of the school. It is clear to all that Saint John the Baptist School is no longer financially viable and can no longer provide the quality of Catholic education it had provided in past years. After closely analyzing all factors, prayerful consideration, and keeping in mind the well-being of our students, their families, and the school staff, Bishop Larry has approved the closure of 

Saint John the Baptist Catholic School effective June 30, 2020. 

This has been a most difficult decision, reached after extensive consideration and a heavy heart. I ask you to pray for me and the St. John the Baptist community, so that we may overcome our disappointment and sadness. I pray for all our students and their families to find another school to enrich their faith and learning experiences, and that our school staff may find just work somewhere else. 

I thank God for making Saint John the Baptist School a special place to perpetuate the Catholic faith by living as Christ lives, teaching as Christ teaches, and loving as Christ loves for the past 60 years. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions at (808)845-0984 or by email at drestrepo@rcchawaii.org 

Peace be with you, 

Dugodlyaudutos 

Fr. Diego Alejandro Restrepol Parish Administrator 

2324 Omilo Lane, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 - Tel: (808) 845-0984 - Fax: (808) 841-6643 • E-mail: sjbkalihi@gmail.com 

- Website: saintjohnthebaptisthawaii.org