Mass Overflow - Help us Maximize Seating Capacity during Holy Week Liturgies during March Madness

​As we continue to welcome parishioners and visitors to the city to Mass during March Madness, we are trying to maximize the space at our Holy Week Liturgies as much as possible. There are a few ways you can help us do that:  
  • For Sunday Masses - If you are able, please consider the 8am or 7pm Mass as both of these Masses have space available. 
  • Are there friends or family you are currently living life with outside of church? If so, please please consider planning to sit with them at Mass. If you don't arrive at the same time, have them save you a seat.  This will help us better maximize the space we are able to use in the church and still be COVID safe with social distancing. 
As we hit capacity at the Sunday 10:30am Mass as well as all of our Holy Week Liturgies we will utilize roped off pews for some additional seating while still keeping social distancing in place. Our hope is that it will add roughly 100 additional seats (see the diagram to better understand how this works in the church).
Interested in Livestreaming Outside St. John's?
On Easter Sunday (April 4) we will have overflow space for the 8am and 10:30am Mass in the outdoor plaza area in front of the Convention Center that is directly across the street from St. John's. Would you consider making a sacrifice during the Mass to livestream from the outdoor plaza at the Convention Center if we do fill up to allow visitors (here for the final four basketball tournament) space to sit in the church? This would be a great way to provide hospitality to visitors! All who are in the overflow space will receive Holy Communion during the appropriate time, they would just be livestreaming the Mass instead of being in the church itself. We will provide chairs for those who livestream outside (please bring your phone with you to livestream). We will help you get access to the livestream. If you know you'll take advantage of this option, you are also welcome to bring your own lawn chair for outside; however, we will provide chairs for those who need them. Thanks for your consideration and help as celebrate Easter! 

*We will do the same for all Triduum Liturgies if we do fill up space inside the church. Please bring your cell phone if you plan to livestream at St. John's.  ​
Additional Guidelines for Mass
-See Full Holy Week Schedule - Click Here 

As we continue to open up for Masses here are some helpful guidelines given to us from either the Mayor or Archbishop: 
  1. Please bring and wear a mask (Mayors condition.)  We will have some masks for those who don’t have one.  The Priest, Deacon, Server (Optional) and Lector (while lecturing) are asked to not wear a mask for the sake of their voice not being muffled.)
  2. Social Distance when in the parking lot/garage, entering the Church, while passing through the narthex, and in the Sanctuary of the Church itself (Mayors condition for us to open.)  After Mass, please do not gather in the Church, narthex, on the sidewalk or parking lot/garage.  If you choose to gather with a group of friends, please arrange for that to occur before or after Mass at another location.  Thank you!
  3. We will provide directions via volunteers once you are in the Church for seating.  Every other pew is roped off and we will seat people as they arrive starting in the front of Church and moving towards the back.  Once all pews are filled we will begin to seat in roped off pews while keeping social distance in place (see plan below for more info). If you are living life with other family or friends, please plan to sit with them to help us further utilize the space available. Arriving early is recommended!
  4. The Church pews, doors, etc are being disinfected between each Mass so we are taking every precaution to keep everyone safe.  
  5. You will receive a worship aid when you arrive.  We ask that you take that with you when you leave to use as a prayer aid in the coming week.  Inside the back cover of the worship aid, on the closing song page, you will find a stick it note.  Please place that on the pew where you sat so we can be sure to wipe down that area well after you leave.
  6. Restrooms will be available to you as well as baby changing stations, on a self-cleaning basis.  Again, we are wiping down all surfaces between Masses.  The restrooms will be self-serve cleaning.  If you use the restroom or baby changing station before, during or after Mass, we ask that you first wipe down the areas you will touch with the disinfectant spray and wipes provided before and after your use.  Again, after all masses, we will do a thorough cleaning of all restroom surfaces.  
  7. During the Our Father, we ask that you not hold hands with anyone outside of your household (Archbishop’s request.)
  8. During the Sign of Peace, simply do a slight bow, nod or smile and say “Peace be with you” to acknowledge/give peace to others around you who are not of your household (Archbishop’s Guidance.)
  9. During Holy Communion, an usher will release you from your pew.  Please social distance in the middle aisle and come forward to receive the Eucharist in a single line in the middle of the center aisle.  If you are in a side pew on the far north or south transept/side of the church, please pass through the middle pew to the center aisle and come forward for Communion.  If you choose not to receive Communion and others need to pass by you to get to the center aisle, please stand and step into the center aisle, taking a step back for social distancing and allow others to Pass before returning back into the pew.  We will distribute the Body of Christ only (No Precious Blood reception until further notice.) It is preferred that you would receive in the hand, but will not be denied receiving on the tongue (Archbishop’s Guidance.)
  10. If you are sick or have any symptoms of the Coronavirus, please stay home. Thank you!
  11. Please plan to park in the Mall Garage located on Illinois Street or Maryland Street as we have free parking validations at this garage.
  12. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at fathernagel@gmail.com

Daily Confessions are from 11 am-12 pm Monday – Friday and 8 pm Thursday in the Church (during the Holy Hour of Adoration.) Daily Mass has also resumed at 12:10pm (Monday-Friday). 

Please note that Archbishop Thompson has granted a dispensation from Mass until further notice.  Thus, if you are vulnerable and don’t feel comfortable attending Mass, you may livestream with us at the 10:30 am Mass Sunday at either of the following links: