Our Parish During COVID-19 Pandemic & Parish Update - June 10, 2021

We acknowledge and share the sadness many are feeling at not being able to worship and meet together as in the past. We prayerfully and confidently look forward to the day when we can all be together again. In the meantime, below you will find current information within the parish as well as changes that have been made in order to ensure that we comply with the directives from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and protect parishioners and the public, especially those most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19.

MASS IN CHURCH DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Santa Maria de la Paz will adhere to the Governor's current public health order and Archdiocese of Santa Fe guidelines regarding Mass during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Church is set-up for safe social distancing and protective measures and is properly sanitized after each Mass. The current occupancy limit is approximately 277. Reservations are not required.  Seating is on a first-come, first-allowed basis.  Please be charitable and sit in an appropriate designated area which holds the number of those attending from your household.  This allows us to seat the maximum number of people. Doors to the church open at least 1/2 hour before the start of each weekend Mass.

Face Masks 
Face masks are optional for those who are fully vaccinated. Parishioners who are NOT vaccinated MUST wear a face mask prior to entering the church and during Mass.  This is for your protection and the safety of others.  

Communion
Communion is distributed at four stations near the Altar at the end of Mass. Parishioners wearing a mask must lower or remove their mask prior to receiving the Body of Christ, immediately consume and then put their mask back on. If a parishioner wishes to receive Communion on the tongue, they may stand at the end of the Priest's distribution line. 

After Mass
Parishioners should depart immediately after Communion and avoid socializing in the Gathering Space and/or the parking lot.

Stay Home if Sick
If you are sick, feel uncomfortable attending a large gathering or have a compromised immune system PLEASE STAY HOME.  The dispensation from the Sunday obligation is still in effect. 

MASS

Santa Maria de la Paz continues to live-stream the Sunday 9:30AM Mass via twitter.   

Parishioners may access SMDLP's live-streaming  at twitter.com/SMDLPaz. (You may also click on the photo link to access our twitter page.) Please note: You DO NOT need a twitter account to view the live-stream.
 

'DRIVE-UP COMMUNION' 

"Drive-up" Communion is no longer offered at Santa Maria de la Paz.  Parishioners who are still uncomfortable worshiping in person due to COVID-19, can watch a televised or live-streamed Mass at home or in their vehicle in the church parking lot and enter the Church at the end of Mass and wait in the Communion line to receive the Body of Christ.  

CONFESSION 

Fr. Jordan is accepting appointments for confession on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Call the parish office at 473-4200  to make an appointment for confession. 

OTHER SACRAMENTS

Due to Archdiocese directives, there are restrictions related to anointing of the sick, funerals, baptisms, and weddings during the pandemic.  Please call the parish office for more information.

CHURCH VISITS 

The church is open for individual prayer and visits during regular parish office hours. We encourage our parishioners and visitors to visit the Blessed Sacrament, pray, sit in silence, read the Bible or other devotional readings especially during this time when prayer is most needed. Visitors are asked to follow COVID-19 safe practices while in the church.

FIRST FRIDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Join us the first Friday of each month from 9:00AM to 12:00PM to share in this great devotion especially as we pray for the success of the vaccine and an end to the coronavirus pandemic.  We begin with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 9:00AM and end with Benediction at 12:00PM followed by daily Mass at 12:15PM.  Adoration is live-streamed from 11:00AM to 12:00PM on twitter.com/SMDLPaz.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Join us the second Tuesday of each month from 9:00AM to 12:00PM to pray for all priests. We begin with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 9:00AM and end with Benediction at 12:00PM followed by daily Mass at 12:15PM.

Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests.
Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people
Grant them the wisdom, understanding,
and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
Amen
(USCCB.org)