HOLY COMMUNION DURING MASS AND OUTSIDE OF MASS
IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

In keeping with updated protocols from the Government of Manitoba
and those issued by the Archbishop of Winnipeg,
Saint John XXIII Parish on Tuesday, May 26^th will begin the process
of gradually opening the doors of our parish facility
for the resumption of public worship.
 
Nevertheless, it still will be very challenging for us because 
only 25 persons may be allowed in the building
at any one time and all required social distancing 
and sanitation requirements must be followed.

Archbishop Gagnon in his memo of May 21, 2020 updated protocols in the time of COVID-19 wrote: “The celebration of the Eucharist is the centre of our life as Catholics. For the past nine weeks, the vast majority of our parishioners have not been able to participate in person in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. With the opening of public celebrations, only a limited number of people can celebrate the Eucharist in the weeks ahead due to the limitations in numbers. I believe that it is prudent, in this extraordinary time, to give permission to temporarily allow for the reception of Holy Communion outside of the celebration of Mass.  Permission is therefore given for parishes to provide for the reception of Holy Communion, according to local needs, outside of Mass during weekdays only, provided that it is done within the Word of God and prayer.  [...] On Sundays, which are the weekly celebrations of the Easter Solemnity, the number of people at any one Mass must be limited to the provincial guidelines. The practice of Spiritual Communion at home will continue to be encouraged. (cf. www.archwinnipeg.ca) Communion services for small groups of parishioners on Sunday are not to take place.”
 
Therefore, given the Archbishop’s permission, in addition to the opportunity some parishioners will have to receive Holy Communion during scheduled weekday Masses and Sunday Masses, over the coming weeks we may also schedule opportunities in the late afternoon or evening on weekdays for parishioners to come to church to receive Holy Communion outside of Mass. 

You are encouraged to read Fr. Robert's letter to parishioners published in the parish bulletin for May 24, 2020 (go to the Bulletins link in the dropdown menu above).
 
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL THE PARISH OFFICE to request RESERVATIONS to take part and receive Holy Communion at Mass and/or for the reception of Holy Communion Outside of Mass.  Alternatively you may download the pdf of the Information Form, complete it yourself and email it back to Fr. Robert, Sharon or Joanna at the parish office:

/documents/2020/5/Info%20Form%20HC%20SJ23%20Covid-19.pdf

Consult the schedule in most recent parish bulletin for the various possible times that are listed.  

Please do NOT come to church for Holy Communion UNLESS AND UNTIL one of our parish staff or a designated parish volunteer calls you back to confirm a specific time, either during Mass or Outside of Mass, for you to come to church and take part and receive Holy Communion.  Until protocols are further adjusted by government authorities to allow for increased numbers of people to gather, we will follow this or a similar format.

Thank you for your understanding, continued patience and your prayers.