Please Read This Notice

We at St. Joseph Catholic Church are very excited to share Mass and the Eucharist with our community, even as we focus on necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With that in mind, please read these notes so you are better prepared for the conditions you will encounter inside of the Church.

It should go without saying that anyone who feels ill, is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, or was exposed to anyone who is sick, should not come to Church in person. Wearing an appropriate mask securely over the nose and mouth is required for everyone over the age of two inside the Church. Persons from different households must maintain appropriate separation from each other while seated, without exception. Contact tracing information must be provided in the ledger at the front of the Church. Those who do not adhere to these rules will be asked to leave.

When choosing seating, always consider published state and federal guidelines regarding personal spacing to prevent the transmission of disease. Alternating pews in the Church are blocked off with rope and should not be utilized for seating. The remaining pews are marked with Blue Crosses to indicate appropriate minumum spacing between persons from different households. Overflow seating in Father Blake Hall is flexible but minimum separation should always be maintained between persons from different households.

With State and Diocese capacity restrictions in place, Church seating capacity is between 56 and 84 persons, depending on sizes of groups from same households. Father Blake Hall, in the Church Basement, is outfitted to accept approximately 80 worshipers with the Mass displayed on a large screen television. When the Church is full, worshipers will be directed to Father Blake Hall. When Father Blake Hall is full, worshipers will be asked to stay in their vehicles and listen to the Mass on the radio at 90.3 FM.

After Mass concludes, Communion will be offered at the Church School door along Liberty Street for those who remained in their vehicles for Mass. Handicapped persons who will not be in the Church are encouraged to park in the courtyard on the North side of the Church. Communion will be brought to your car after Mass is complete.

To see Sunday's Mass Readings, CLICK HERE

As we progress toward an end to COVID-19 protocols, we will no longer offer on-line pre-registration for Mass Attendence. Contact Tracing Information will be collected in the Church as worshipers enter. This will continue as long as it is required by Federal, State, Local, and Diocese regulations. A separate Signup Sheet for readers and disinfection volunteers is located at the rear of the Church.

Dear Friends in Christ...