Celebrating the Eucharist - June 20/21, 2020

​Information for Members of Meadow Lake Cluster, June 2020

As a result of COVID-19, our ability to gather as God’s people has undergone some serious restrictions and we will continue to experience restrictions/changes as the coming weeks and months unfold. We thank you for your understanding and your care for your self and your brothers and sisters.

Going forward, we must live with the awareness that the virus is unseen, and we can be infected if we are not careful. As we gather once again for the physical celebration of the Eucharist, the Church has two concerns: that we take care of one another, and that all who want to take part in the liturgy have equal opportunity to do so. The “how” of our liturgical celebrations will be informed by the Saskatchewan Health Authority Guidelines, the Guidelines from the Diocese of Prince Albert, our own situation as a Cluster and the size of our various facilities.

People who have traveled out of province or have engaged in high risk activities (large group gatherings) are asked to wait 14 days before attending a liturgy.
If you feel ill, have a cough or a fever please do not come to the liturgy.
If you are over the age of 60, have a compromised immune system or live with people who have a compromised immune system, please be aware of the risk you are taking.

The dispensation from physically taking part in the Sunday liturgy is still in effect and will remain in effect until the Bishop announces otherwise. You are still encouraged to take part in the liturgy via television or online celebrations if you can.

How can I physically participate in the Liturgy?
If you would like to attend a liturgy, please call the Parish Office at (306) 236 5122. Your name, the number of people coming with you, the date of the liturgy you are interested in attending, and your contact information will be requested.
If we have more requests than we can safely accommodate at the liturgy, we will make a draw on Friday noon and then contact you Friday afternoon, letting you know that you have been selected to attend the liturgy. We cannot accommodate more than the number allowed by our building size and the guidelines.

Due to the sanitizing requirements, access within our buildings will be limited. Please be advised that there will be no access to bathrooms in our buildings and things we used to do may no longer be allowed.

What can I expect when I come to the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist?

• The liturgy options are as follows:
  • Saturday, 7:00 pm – Our Lady of Peace Parish Hall in Meadow Lake
  • Sunday, 10:00 am – Our Lady of Peace Parish Church in Meadow Lake. This mass will be live-streamed on Facebook
  • Sunday, 12:30 pm – St. Jude’s Parish Church in Green Lake
  • Sunday, 3:00 pm – Our Lady of the Smile Parish Church – Waterhen Lake
• Please bring a mask if you plan to attend
• Please bring your Sunday missal if you have one
• Prior to entering the building your name and phone number will be verified with the master list
• As you enter, if you have a donation you will be invited to drop it in the basket at the door.
• If you would like to light a candle at Our Lady of Peace, place your request and the appropriate donation in an envelope and leave it in the basket. Fr. Doug will light the candle later as access to this area is restricted.
• As you proceed you will be invited to sanitize your hands.
• We will fill up the pews from the front to the back. As such you will be directed to sit in a particular place. Depending on the building, we will have a limited number of places to sit. You will be seated individually. For example, husband and wife will be seated 2 meters apart from each other. Parent and an older child will be seated apart. If parents come with children who need care, we have limited accommodations for them. You will be asked to remain in your place until the liturgy is over.
• There will be no singing at the mass.
• There will be no processions.
• Where kneelers are available, we ask that you DO NOT USE THE KNEELERS to ease the workload for those who will be sanitizing when the liturgy is over.
• There will be no sign of peace. You will be invited to turn and bow to those who are close to you.
• For the Communion Rite:
  • Please remain in your place
  • After Father has received the Eucharist, he will hold the ciborium and proclaim, “The Body of Christ” and all will respond, “Amen”
  • Father will put on his mask, sanitize his hands, and then proceed to go to each person at their pew place.
  • Each person will make a cup with their hand and Father will gently place the host in your hand. No words will be exchanged. All contact is to be avoided.
  • When the communion rite is complete, Father will return to his place and the mass will conclude.
• After the dismissal people are asked to leave immediately, one at a time, beginning from the back of the building. We are asked to maintain appropriate social distance as we depart the building.
• If you want to visit with each other after mass, please do so outside, away from the front door and at your own discretion.

Following the liturgy, the building will be sanitized. If you come to the liturgy, you might want to consider volunteering to assist in the process of sanitizing the building. If you can help, please contact the Parish Office, and offer your services.

These guidelines will be changed as we receive direction from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, from the Diocese of Prince Albert or from the leadership of our particular parish community.

I personally want to thank you for your understanding during these changing times. We can rely on the faithfulness of God. What is less reliable is how we will celebrate God’s faithfulness in and through the sacraments in the weeks and months to come. We do know that there will be more changes in the near future.

If you have any questions, please contact the Parish Office at (306) 236 5122.