Our Church is Open!

Dear Parishioners, Alumni, Families and Friends,

Great news!  Archbishop Pérez has announced that parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be able to resume public Masses the weekend of June 6 and 7.  We at St. Gabriel look forward to welcoming you back! We can’t wait to see you.   Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we make our way back to the in person celebration of the Mass. 

While our county remains in the Yellow Phase of statewide reopening, all of us need to do our part to make sure that our return to Mass is a peaceful and a safe experience for all. Please take the time to read the instructions below. Most of them are just common sense and will answer your questions.   We ask everyone to follow these guidelines when attending Mass during this period:

GENERAL POINTS

• The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation continues to be lifted during the Yellow Phase. You are not required to attend Mass at this time. 
• Please stay home if you are sick or at a higher risk.
• Mass will continue to be available via live-stream. 
  • www.stgabes.org
  • On EWTN television
  • On Facebook Live

MASS SCHEDULE

• Mass is scheduled for 4:30 PM Saturday evening and 10:00 AM Sunday morning.

BEFORE COMING TO MASS

• Please wash your hands.
• Wear a face mask before, during and after Mass.

ENTERING THE CHURCH

• Everyone is asked to enter the center doors of church. Ushers will direct you to your seats. 
• Please bring your own hand sanitizer so that you can clean your hands before Mass, before Communion, and for your own safety, after Mass.

SEATING

• Pews will be marked to insure social distancing. 
• Members of the same household may sit together as normal.
• Ushers will be present to assist people with seating and going to Communion and with exiting the church.

DURING MASS

• There will be no collection taken up during the Offertory. There is a container in the middle aisle for church envelopes and donations. 
• There will be no Sign of Peace during Mass during the Yellow Phase. 
• The Precious Blood will not be distributed at Mass during the Yellow Phase. 
• There should be no holding of hands during the Our Father.

RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

• Communion will be distributed in the middle aisle, please come up in a single file and adhere to the markings that indicate the six feet distancing.
• Return to your pews by the side aisles. 
• During the Yellow Phase, the faithful are asked to receive Holy Communion in the hand,
  • Step to the side, remove your mask, place the host in the mouth, put the mask on and return to your seat.

EXITING THE CHURCH

• At the conclusion of Mass, please leave your mask on, exit the Church by the rear side door.Proceed directly to your car or to your home. Please do not congregate.. 
• Paper bulletins will not be available, the parish bulletin is located at www.stgabes.org. It is posted every week. A new communication using Flocknotes, the parish newsletter, will be sent out to parishioner who request it. Send your email and/or cell number to rectory@stgabes.org 

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
St. Gabriel Parish will follow the guidelines from the CDC for sanitation as we resume public Masses.  

• To view the CDC guidelines, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/faith-based.html
• The church will be cleaned after every Mass. 

We are so pleased that we can again celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass in person.Let us continue to pray for the health and safety of everyone and that a vaccine will soon be available. 
Let us remember all health providers, scientists, and the many men and women who are of service to us all. Let us all pray for peace in our world, our country and our community.

May God bless us and keep us all safe and close to him.

Fr. Carl

Father Carl Braschoss, O. Praem



Enjoy this Returning to Mass Video:  https://vimeo.com/423262781