Dear brothers and sisters,
In accordance with Archbishop Blair's instruction, beginning Monday, June 8, 2020, Saint John Paul the Great parish along with other parishes of the Archdiocese of Hartford will reopen our doors for the public celebration of WEEKDAY MASSES only. No more than a total of 100 socially-distanced persons will be allowed to be present at a given Mass. Efforts are being made locally to ensure that our parish is in compliance with safety directives.
Beginning June 8, Baptisms, Wedding Masses and Funeral Masses will resume here at St. John Paul the Great Parish. The same procedures and precautions for weekday Mass will be applied to these special celebrations (i.e. no more than 50 socially distanced persons of at least 6 feet will be allowed to be present, masks, very limited music without congregation singing etc.).
We will also resume the sacrament of Penance beginning June 8. In order to maintain social distancing, we are not going to use the traditional "confessional." We are going to do only drive-by confessions. Both the priests and the penitents are expected to wear masks for the entire time confession is going on.
For Sunday Mass, Archbishop Blair has extended the dispensation from the Sunday obligation previously granted to all Catholics of the archdiocese through Sunday, September 6, 2020. The date for the resumption of public celebration of Sunday Mass is yet to be announced. Stay tuned!
We will continue the live streaming and videos of weekday and Sunday Masses. In that way, those who cannot attend will be able to participate and remain connected with our parish family.
Thank you greatly my church family for your patience, support and understanding throughout this time of crisis. We are making coordinated and thoughtful planning to ensure that our parish is prepared to meet the pandemic requirements for public worship.
We shall continue to furnish you with more information as we receive it.
God bless,
Father Emmanuel