Resumption of Public Masses: Latest details- UPDATED 10.10.2020
By order of our Bishop public masses have resumed in the diocese of Venice as of Monday, May 18th. A restriction of 50% of max occupant capacity applies for each mass according to the place in which it is celebrated. See the original letter (6.26.20) here.
Schedule of Masses (as of May 18th until further notice)
The following is the new/provisional schedule of Corpus Christi's public masses. Please read carefully all important details below regarding the various necessary changes to our normal routines and practices.
St. Agnes, Naples
50% capacity / 90 people / Reservation required for Sunday 8:45am mass: Check Availability/Get Tickets
- Monday-Friday: 4:00pm, & 5:15pm
- Saturday: 7:30am
- Sunday: 7:15am, & 8:45am
Resurrection, Fort Myers
Main church, 50% capacity / 200+ people
- Sunday: 12:30pm
St. William, Naples
Main church, 50% capacity / 400+ people
- Sunday: 4:30pm
Obligation of Attending Mass
The faithful of the Diocese of Venice are not obliged to attend Sunday mass through at least November 27. As it is not an obligation to go on Sunday, one may freely choose another day during the week if one wishes to go at least once a week. The daily mass at St. Agnes averages between 40-50 people.
Details Regarding Masses at St. Agnes' Chapel
- One must sign up for any Sunday Mass at St. Agnes they wish to attend so that everyone can know if there will be room for them given the very limited space at St. Agnes' chapel. This is not necessary for the weekday masses (Monday- Friday at 5:15pm) unless otherwise noted for a special occasion. The chapel has space (max capacity-90) for all who wish to attend.
- When there are two masses scheduled in a row, please be mindful to come only 15 minutes in advance, and to leave within 15 minutes after mass so as to give time to sanitize common areas/seats and allow for the next group of people to come in. We will need volunteers to help with these tasks after each Mass.
Details Regarding All Masses
- Holy Communion can only be received on the tongue in the Latin Mass. The Bishop has likewise confirmed this for us. If one is uncomfortable with this at this time, then one is urged to make a spiritual communion.
- The Bishop has asked that all wear masks when coming to mass. Although one may feel this is not necessary or that one is willing to take any risk in not wearing one, your neighbor might be at greater risk and it is thus recommended as the safer course to follow for the common good. One must procure one's own of whatever form, as they will not be provided.
- Shared missals, bulletins etc. will not be available. We recommend that one bring one's own missal, or follow the online missal from the website- of livemass.net, where everything is conveniently laid out in order for each day, and that one sign up for our weekly ebulletin or at least check the "news" section of our webpage weekly, as we navigate through and make possible forthcoming adjustments under these new circumstances.
- Chairs/pews will be marked as to their availability so as to space people with prudent physical distancing, although those of the same household are allowed to sit together of course. Please observe the same 6 feet distancing when you line up for Holy Communion.
Confessions
Confessions will be heard before and after daily and Sunday Mass at St. Agnes in the back room. Confessions are heard at Resurrection, Fort Myers, in the meeting room at the back hallway on the right, before and after mass. Confessions are heard at St. William's in the sacristy before and often during mass. One can likewise schedule a personal appointment with the priests.
Your Tithe & Giving
Collections will be taken up at masses, but online giving is available and most recommended as it will make for less interaction between people and ushers.
Donations by mail may also be made out and addressed to Corpus Christi Chapel, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Rd. Naples FL 34120.
It is recommended that donations, particularly larger ones, be generally directed to the building fund, which is not taxed and which receives a 3.25% interest rate, and will be exclusively used for our future parish home, unless there were an unforeseen/emergency operational expense that we did not have enough to pay from our operational account. Excess in the operational account is periodically transferred to the building account.
For those in economic hardships at this time, we are praying for you, let us know if you may need any help, and please remember your first duty is toward your family as the obligations of charity begin at home.
Summary Reminders:
Again, it is not of obligation to attend these masses, and it may be more prudent, and thus more sanctifying and pleasing to God, for any at risk or caring for those at risk to stay home. If one chooses to attend mass, one is doing so under one's own responsibility, conscious that there may be possible health risks at a public gathering at this time.
We likewise remain, as we have this whole time, available by private appointment for any sacramental needs you or your family may have. Do not hesitate to ask.
Though these new arrangements require some sacrifices we may not like, please remember they are prudent judgments taken by the legitimate authority in care for the common good. Please recall too that we are guests at the churches where we offer mass in our pilgrim state, and it corresponds to the pastors of the said churches to apply such norms to the particular circumstances they are responsible for. Please remember that we are not in charge of those guidelines and be grateful that we are resuming mass. Remember that mass makes present the crucifixion of Christ before us, which likewise required from him a certain degree of sacrifice, self-denial and uncomfortability. :) And all the more motivation to give generously to build our own future parish home!
Please let us know if you have any further questions, and continue to check our page for ongoing announcements/ adjustments. We are very grateful to God and our Bishop to be able to celebrate public mass with you all again.
"But in all these things we overcome, because of him that hath loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, nor height, nor depth, nor use of face masks, nor any other creature, nor the avoidance of any other creature by social distancing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Rom 8.37-39, Newly Revised Coronavirus Standard Version