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.”