Greetings St. Andre Bessette Parish Family!
We have resumed the public celebration of masses but at a reduced capacity. So things are not quite back to normal - but we are getting there! Here’s what to expect:
Procedures for attending Mass
Please know that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is still suspended in the Diocese of Manchester. In fact, the Diocese wants to make clear who SHOULD NOT (scroll to bottom of page) be coming to Mass even as public Masses resume.
Please enter through the main center doors or if there is a physical disability please use the handicap ramp door and follow the directions of our hospitality ministers and ushers. We ask that you wear a mask, sanitize your hands upon entering and maintain a social distance.
We are mandated by the Diocese to limit the number of persons allowed in the church to 40% of capacity and to maintain social distancing. To meet both criteria, the total number of people permitted at each mass is approximately 100 people.
The weekend mass schedule remain the same: Saturday 4:00PM, Sunday 7:00, 8:30, 10:30 AM.
Please continue to check the website daily as changes to procedures may change as needed.
Live Stream Mass
The Live Streamed Mass from St Andre Bessette will continue but at a new time of 8:30 am starting Sunday, June 14, especially for those who are not advised or able to join us in church.
*Distribution of the Eucharist for those who were unable to attend Mass will take place Saturday evenings from 4:45pm-5:15pm and Sunday mornings from 11:15am-11:45am.
Bishop Libasci’s letter of June 2, 2020:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
As you know and, in fact have experienced in some ways, we continue to navigate these unfamiliar waters that are called a pandemic. In purposeful and prudent movements forward, we have been meeting daily and for long periods during these many weeks preparing the way to bring the Lord’s flock back into safe and green pastures. Now, based on public health guidance from federal, state and local resources, I announced on May 29, 2020 that the preparations we have been making have resulted in our beginning to resume the “Celebration of Mass With a Congregation” (the correct phrase as printed in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal). The information that follows implements advice and requirements from public health authorities and, most importantly respects what we require for the proper and dignified celebration of our Roman Catholic Holy Mass.
In a spirit of the virtue of true charity, and in order to best protect the health and well-being of all of our brothers and sisters, the information that follows is to be utilized in all Diocese of Manchester locations. Our coming together in church for Mass, baptisms, weddings, funerals and other liturgical worship as a community will undoubtedly seem a little different in the days ahead. In fact, a noticeable difference that is already quite striking is the deep reverence and attention of all as they are receiving Holy Communion! May THIS difference remain among us always!
I ask that you keep in mind, then, that the measures we are implementing at this time do not lessen or damage our liturgical celebrations. In fact, certain attention will remind us that this is GOD’S House. His House deserves the very best of attention to cleanliness, awareness and respect. Not only that, but for several weeks our priests have been engaged in a study of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal to reacquaint themselves with the actual rubrics and directives of the Universal and local Church in the United States. This has been a time of “active waiting” for the long desired “full, conscious and active participation” of which the Second Vatican Council spoke in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.
May the fruit of all who have labored and all who have prayed for us and patiently remained faithful be crowned with God’s grace and our gratitude.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci
Bishop of Manchester
We have resumed the public celebration of masses but at a reduced capacity. So things are not quite back to normal - but we are getting there! Here’s what to expect:
Procedures for attending Mass
Please know that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is still suspended in the Diocese of Manchester. In fact, the Diocese wants to make clear who SHOULD NOT (scroll to bottom of page) be coming to Mass even as public Masses resume.
Please enter through the main center doors or if there is a physical disability please use the handicap ramp door and follow the directions of our hospitality ministers and ushers. We ask that you wear a mask, sanitize your hands upon entering and maintain a social distance.
We are mandated by the Diocese to limit the number of persons allowed in the church to 40% of capacity and to maintain social distancing. To meet both criteria, the total number of people permitted at each mass is approximately 100 people.
The weekend mass schedule remain the same: Saturday 4:00PM, Sunday 7:00, 8:30, 10:30 AM.
Please continue to check the website daily as changes to procedures may change as needed.
Live Stream Mass
The Live Streamed Mass from St Andre Bessette will continue but at a new time of 8:30 am starting Sunday, June 14, especially for those who are not advised or able to join us in church.
*Distribution of the Eucharist for those who were unable to attend Mass will take place Saturday evenings from 4:45pm-5:15pm and Sunday mornings from 11:15am-11:45am.
Bishop Libasci’s letter of June 2, 2020:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
As you know and, in fact have experienced in some ways, we continue to navigate these unfamiliar waters that are called a pandemic. In purposeful and prudent movements forward, we have been meeting daily and for long periods during these many weeks preparing the way to bring the Lord’s flock back into safe and green pastures. Now, based on public health guidance from federal, state and local resources, I announced on May 29, 2020 that the preparations we have been making have resulted in our beginning to resume the “Celebration of Mass With a Congregation” (the correct phrase as printed in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal). The information that follows implements advice and requirements from public health authorities and, most importantly respects what we require for the proper and dignified celebration of our Roman Catholic Holy Mass.
In a spirit of the virtue of true charity, and in order to best protect the health and well-being of all of our brothers and sisters, the information that follows is to be utilized in all Diocese of Manchester locations. Our coming together in church for Mass, baptisms, weddings, funerals and other liturgical worship as a community will undoubtedly seem a little different in the days ahead. In fact, a noticeable difference that is already quite striking is the deep reverence and attention of all as they are receiving Holy Communion! May THIS difference remain among us always!
I ask that you keep in mind, then, that the measures we are implementing at this time do not lessen or damage our liturgical celebrations. In fact, certain attention will remind us that this is GOD’S House. His House deserves the very best of attention to cleanliness, awareness and respect. Not only that, but for several weeks our priests have been engaged in a study of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal to reacquaint themselves with the actual rubrics and directives of the Universal and local Church in the United States. This has been a time of “active waiting” for the long desired “full, conscious and active participation” of which the Second Vatican Council spoke in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.
May the fruit of all who have labored and all who have prayed for us and patiently remained faithful be crowned with God’s grace and our gratitude.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci
Bishop of Manchester
*Instructions to the Sick/Symptomatic
Signs should be posted informing the Faithful of the symptoms of COVID-19 before entering the place of worship. People with any of the risk factors contained in that notice should be told to quarantine and not attend Mass. A person with any of the following symptoms must not enter: a) A person who has any of the following symptoms of COVID-19: i. Fever (feeling feverish or a documented temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher); ii. Respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath (other than seasonal allergy symptoms); iii. Whole body symptoms such as muscle aches, chills, and severe fatigue; iv. Changes in the person’s sense of taste or smell; b) A person who has been in close contact with someone who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past 14 days (Note: healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment can attend); or c) A person who has travelled in the past 14 days either: i. Internationally (outside the United States) ii. By cruise ship; or iii. Domestically (within the United States) outside of New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine on public transportation (bus, train, plane, etc) A priest with a positive test result for COVID-19 or with a respiratory infection of any kind, or who has been in direct contact with an individual with COVID-19 must not celebrate public Mass at this time. A priest in a high-risk group may elect to celebrate public Mass, but have another priest or deacon or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion distribute Holy Communion in his place.