Update on Current Restrictions at St. Patrick's as of August 1, 2021

Dear Parishioners,

As you are aware, we are still in Step 3 of Ontario’s provincial "Roadmap for Reopening". While it is still not possible to welcome back parishioners at full capacity and to lift all the restrictions, we are moving closer to that reality.

After a careful review of the current restrictions, the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, in consultation with medical experts involved in the creation of the WorshipSafe guidelines, has updated the current protocols, relaxing a number of measures that have been in place over the past year.

Some of the relaxed measures for parishes within the Archdiocese of Toronto, are as follows:

• Hand Sanitizing – it is no longer mandatory for all entering the church to use hand sanitizer, however, we will continue to provide it at the entrances and you are encouraged to continue to use it. Clergy and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will continue to use it before and after the distribution of the Eucharist.
• Offertory Collection – collections will once again be taken up by during the mass in the traditional fashion, wearing masks, and making every effort to ensure physical distancing.
• Bulletins, Prayer Cards (Wedneday devotions), prayer intention slips, pamphlets, envelopes, etc. may once again be distributed as prior to Covid-19 practices. Please note that we will longer be distributing Sunday Missals, but are and will be available for purchase for a small fee to cover the cost.
• Cleaning procedures for pews, washrooms, reconciliation rooms are relaxed and only require regular cleaning as prior to Covid-19 restrictions

Ongoing Measures:

• The present church schedule will be maintained until further notice. Although there is no longer an official capacity limit, the church will continue to be opened one hour prior to each Mass, and parishioners will be welcomed until proper physical distancing is no longer possible. At that time the church will be considered to have reached full capacity and the doors will be closed, and no one else will be admitted.
• The requirement of physical distancing currently remains in place, unless members of from the same household
• By-laws remain in place always requiring the use of a face mask within the church.
• You are still asked to refrain from singing during the Liturgy; however, you are encouraged to join in on the spoken prayers and responses.
• Communion procedures remain unchanged at the present time. Those coming to Communion must remain fully masked with their nose and mouth covered. Once the communicant has received the Eucharist, they are to move two metres away, carefully remove their mask, consume the Eucharist, replace their mask, and then proceed back to their pew using the wide aisles.
• The Sign of Peace is maintained. A simple bow of the head toward one’s neighbour may be offered instead of shaking hands
• Holy Water fonts at church entrances will remain empty at the prsetn time
• All parishioners are asked to maintain a personal log of when you attend church should there be a positive Covid-19 case in the parish community.
• All are encouraged to be vaccinated. The elderly, those with compromised immune systems or other health conditions are encouraged to exercise extreme caution with regard to attendance at church. The dispensation from Sunday Eucharist continues.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday Masses – 5:00pm (Sat. Vigil), 8:30am, 11:00am, 5:00pm
• Wednesday Masses (with devotions to Our Mother of Perpetual Help) – 9:30am, 12:00pm, 2:30pm, 5:05pm, 7:00pm
• Weekday Masses (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri) – 12:10pm

Confession Schedule

• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00am to 11:45am
• Saturdays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Religious Articles Store

• Hours of operation – Wednesdays 10:30am to 7:00pm
• The store is now located in the parish hall; the entrance is through the doors located at 139 McCaul St.

Parish Office

• The parish office is once again open to the public (masks are required). Our new location is ½ block north of the Church, at 151 McCaul Street.
• Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 12noon, and from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

I hope that the opportunity to continue to gather as a faith community is a welcome source of joy and encouragement. It has been especially good to see those who have recently returned to church.

If you have any question or concerns, feel free speak to a volunteer, a member of the parish staff, or to contact the parish office.

In Christ, the Redeemer.

Fr. Thomas O’Rourke, C.Ss.R.

Pastor