St. Ignatius of Loyola

Based on the official documents from the Attorney General of Texas, the Governor's report to Open Texas and the Texas Health and Human Services guiding houses of worship in the reopening of their facilities during the COVID-19 Crisis, the Parish Pandemic Response Team will establish particular protocols for reopening St. Ignatius of Loyola's public Masses.

All of the documents strongly  encourage those who are 65 or older, especially those with chronic lung disease; moderate to severe asthma; chronic heart disease; severe obesity; diabetes; chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis; liver disease; or weakened immune system to watch or participate in the service remotely. The Parish Pandemic Response Team strongly urge our parishioners to follow this recommendation. We will continue to livestream our daily 9:00 am Mass as well as one Mass in English and one Mass in Spanish on Sundays.  His Eminence reiterates that the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days continues to be suspended. 
 
Another Flocknote will be sent this week outlining all the protocols to be followed in returning to St. Ignatius of Loyola for public Masses. However, to better prepare you and your calendar, here is the schedule as we know it to be. 
 
OPENING THE CHURCH FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
The Cardinal recommended that starting the weekend of May 2/3, 2020, the churches of the Archdiocese be open for private prayer at least a few hours each day. Our Reservation Chapel will remain open for private prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm every day. Everyone is encouraged to maintain proper social/physical distancing while using the Chapel. Proper distancing is measured by leaving 2 empty seats between you (or your group) and the next person. Rows will be spaced at 6 Feet.
 
WEEKDAY MASSES

• Beginning on Monday, May 11, 2020, our weekday Mass schedule will be Monday through Friday at 9:00 am AND Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 6:45 pm in the main church. We are adding the two evening Masses to allow for more people to celebrate Mass at different times.
• Anyone coming to a public Mass must wear a mask and sanitize your hands upon entry. Your temperature will also be taken. 
• All entry will be through the front doors of the church which will be unlocked 20 minutes before each service.

WEEKEND MASSES
The weekend Masses are now open to the public. Because of the requirement to sanitize the facility between every service, we will maintain a modified Mass schedule as follows.

• Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:15pm
• Sunday Masses will be at 7:30 am, 10:00 am and 12:30 pm in Spanish.
• We will continue to livestream the 5:15pm Vigil Mass, the 10:00 am Sunday Mass in English and the 12:30 pm Mass in Spanish.
• If attendance warrants, we will set up overflow seating in the Christus Center where we will livestream the Mass. Holy Communion will be distributed there as well. 
• Anyone coming to a public Mass must wear a mask and sanitize your hands upon entry. Your temperature will also be taken. 
• All entry will be through the front doors of the church which will be unlocked 20 minutes before each service. 

Remember that the number of people able to attend is governed by the Executive Order of the Governor - only 25% of normal capacity. In our situation it will be between 300 to 425 people depending on the number of families that come. 
 
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available on Saturday, May 9, 2020 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am and Wednesdays from 5:15pm to 6:15pm.
 
OFFICE HOURS
The parish offices will reopen beginning Monday, May 4th with a modified schedule. The offices will be open Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm. Saturdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Closed Fridays and Sundays. Anyone coming to the office for any reason must wear a mask and sanitize your hands upon entry. This is for the safety of our employees and the visitors to the office.
 
 We will need the cooperation of everyone who comes to our facilities so that we may keep everyone safe. What will be especially important are the modifications being made to the reception of Holy Communion, per the Cardinal's request. 
 

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