Parish updates due to COVID-19

Dear Members of Saint Katharine Drexel: 

We are now close to a full year living with the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects in our lives. It has certainly brought many changes and challenges to our everyday lives.

Some of the restrictions that we have had to live with during this time have been lifted allowing for a little more freedom. However, we must remain vigilant and careful until a more expansive roll out of the vaccine takes place.

For our life together as a community the changes in protocols means that we will no longer require signing up or registering ahead of time for either daily Mass or the weekend liturgies.  When you do arrive for weekend Mass please have one member of your household check in with a Greeter in order to check your household in for that Mass, verifying a good contact number or email so that we may continue the necessary tracing in case we hear of a positive COVID test result from some participant.   We will still maintain the required 50% capacity of seating in our Worship space, which translates to 90 participants and the possibility of around 15 more in overflow space, should that be needed. 

We will continue to require everyone over two years of age to wear a mask as protection against the spread of the virus and the following of social distancing in the worship space seating arrangement. For seating, please follow the directions given by an Usher and if no Usher is present please maintain the spacing of four empty chairs between your household and another household.

For Religious Formation classes please consult the appropriate Tab here on our webpage for all up to date protocol information or contact Troy Bauer at tbauer@stkdcc.org or Amanda Lutes at alutes@stkdcc.org.

Until further notice all other parish meetings will be by ZOOM and those responsible for leading those meetings will send out the link to participants.

If you have questions or concerns please contact me at either pjaroszeski@stkdcc.org or 763-323-7044 or any of the other Staff members.

Please know that all members of SKD remain daily in my prayers and thoughts.

Thank you and God Bless!
Father Paul

Dear Members of Saint Katharine Drexel - 

Given the latest message from Governor Walz on Wednesday, November 18^th there could be some confusion or mixed messaging that just needs a little clarification.  While he is asking that everyone execute a four- week pause on “social gatherings” he did also say that Church services could continue as they have been.  Meaning at 50% of the capacity of the worship space and with all the other COVID-19 pandemic protocols in place.  This means that we will be able to continue our Mass schedule as usual – we would kindly ask, however, that if you wish to attend any scheduled Mass that you: a) Sign-up on the web page, b) be sure to wear your mask, c) follow the seating instructions as they are given so the social distancing requirements can be fulfilled.
For Religious Formation – We will continue with in- person classes for First Reconciliation/First Communion, with the mask and social distancing requirements.  Confirmation will remain as is, the option for in-person (masks and social distancing as instructed by the catechists) or remote by way of ZOOM.  Faith Fusion and Edge, High School Youth Night and Youth Bible Study will be in-person but with the mask and social distancing.
All other parish meetings will remain as is – meaning the option of either in-person or Zoom.   If you have questions or concerns, not covered by this email/letter please feel free to contact me either by email pjaroszeski@stkdcc.org or phone at 763-323-7044.
Thank you and God Bless!
Father Paul

St. Katharine Drexel Mass COVID-19 Protocol
St. Katharine Drexel has reinstated out public Daily & Weekend Masses since mid-June, and continue to update the protocols used, with your spiritual and physical health in mind. You can find out more about these alterations and new protocols below. Please check back frequently as information is subject to change.
Mass Sign-Up and Size Restrictions

• We will only be allowing 60 individuals in the worship space, and 20 individuals in the overflow space in the Hospitality room.
• The dispensation from Sunday Mass by Archbishop Hebda remains in effect.
• If you are over the age of 65, at risk, or lodging with someone at risk, you are welcome at Mass; you need only use your own discretion in making that decision.
• You MUST sign up each member of your family ahead of time individually via the link provided on our parish website, Facebook page, weekly email, or stop by the Parish office during the week and a staff member will assist you with registering for Mass. You can email Troy if you have questions or need assistance: tbauer@stkdcc.org 763-843-6454
• If all 60 spots in the worship space and all 20 spots in the overflow space are assigned, you can add yourself and your family to the waiting list. If an individual or family can no longer attend and removes themselves from their scheduled Mass time, you may be contacted and added to the current list for that weekend.

• After you have successfully registered yourself and/or your family for Mass, please arrive to the Church 15-30 minutes before Mass begins (so not everyone is rushing in at the same time, just before Mass begins).
• Please wash/sanitize your hands, and use the restroom before arriving at SKD.
• Please do not come if you are displaying symptoms or living with someone that is displaying any symptoms of any illness.
• Parishioners may only enter through the main front doors of the Parish.
• Upon entering the Church doors, you will be directed to a table where you will check-in yourself and/or your family with a volunteer or staff member and pick up your pre-printed nametag.
• Masks WILL be required to participate. If you do not have a mask, or forget to bring one, we will have masks on site for you to grab at the check-in table.
• There will be a hand sanitizer station after your check-in you will use prior to entering the worship space doors, and throughout the worship space.
• As you enter the worship space please follow the direction of our usher teams.
  • An usher will direct you to where to sit
  • There will be a four chair gap between each individual/family.
• We will NOT be taking up a collection during the liturgy. There will be a collection basket you can drop of your contributions into located inside the worship space doors.
  • You are encouraged to continue to give online or via text.

• We have installed large projection screens above the half wall space both to the left and right side of the Altar.
  • This removes the need for continual usage of worship aids and hymnals and the potential spreading of germs.
• Masks are to be worn by the congregation at all times, including while singing. Therefore, music selection may include less congregational responses than normal.
• The singer(s) will have masks on at all times except for when leading in song. They will have protective coverings between themselves and the congregation and they will be socially distanced from one another.

• Volunteers will sanitize the hands of each individual before they receive Communion
• Eucharistic Ministers will sanitize their hands before they receive Communion, and again after (the second time to sanitize before they distribute to the congregation)
• The Eucharistic Minister will have a mask on while distributing Communion.
• You will extend your hands out as far in front of you as possible, keep your mask on while you receive by hand and say “Amen”. Once the Eucharistic Minister has moved past you, you may pull your mask down, consume the Eucharist, and put your mask back on.
• We will have a gluten-intolerant Eucharistic Minister Station near the Baptismal font which is now to the left side of the sanctuary as you face the altar.
• Mass continues as usual.

• After the final procession, congregation leaves in an orderly fashion and/or ushers will direct you to the exits.
• The chairs, door handles, Ambo, bathrooms, Choir area, etc. will all be sanitized after each Mass.
  • We will need teams of 4-8 to help with this cleaning process after Mass
• Cloth masks taken from the entryway are yours to keep.
• Lastly, we respectfully request that you not congregate and socialize in groups outside the Church or in the parking lot. We look forward to a normal Hospitality and community gathering in the future.

• We will have daily Mass Wednesday-Friday at 9:30 am.
• Up to 20 people can sign-up for each daily Mass with sign up link posted on the Parish website.
• If you are unable or uncomfortable attending Mass, we will continue to stream the 10am Mass live to our website and YouTube page.