An Open Letter and Invitation

On Returning to Mass

Hello everyone! We, as members of Saint Gerald Parish Council, are writing today about returning to in person mass, as well as different safety and cleaning protocols that are in place to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and safe attending church in person.

Saint Gerald’s is currently offering daily mass Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM, and weekend masses Saturday at 5:00 PM, and Sundays at 7:30, 9:15, and 11:00 AM. The church opens 30 minutes prior to mass, and registration is required only for weekend masses. You can register over the phone, or on Sign Up Genius, which can be found online or through the Saint Gerald website or Facebook page.

When coming to mass, each person is greeted in the Vestibule, and signs in with Greeters. Hand Sanitizer is given, and ushers are available to help parishioners find a socially distanced pew to sit in. Every other pew is blocked off, to further help with social distancing. Parishioners are asked to keep their mask on, covering their nose and mouth during mass. During Communion, individuals are given hand sanitizer before receiving communion. Priests and Eucharistic Ministers wear Face Shields while distributing communion, and there are blue taped boxes on the floor, where parishioners can stand, lower their mask, consume the Communion, then put their mask back on before proceeding back to their pew. At the end of mass, individuals are dismissed by pew by the usher, so that we are also spaced out while exiting the church. After each mass, the entire church is cleaned, to further help everyone stay safe.

All of this is to say that we hope everyone feels welcome and comfortable coming back to church in person. We know that we, as Parishioners, are the church, and we remember the importance of celebrating the Sacrament of the Mass in person whenever possible. At the present, we plan to continue posting mass Live at least once a weekend. Thank you for reading, and stay safe and warm!

Saint Gerald Parish Council
Pastor Fr. Robert Pajor Joanne Chavez-Buchanan
Principal Kemberly Markham Jerry Giebelhausen
President Bill Egan                                                    Debbie Janicke
Bob Kuenster                                                            Matt Jones
Dario Paraga                                                             Amy Streit