Saint Lawrence Church

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.  I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. 
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.  Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.

Please check out this link for a list of live stream Masses https://www.catholicnh.org/community/outreach/health-care/coronavirus/livestreamed-masses/ 

You may have seen that the Governor announced the repeal of the State mask mandate. This is causing confusion because it does not repeal what is in place for guidance for Houses of Worship in New Hampshire which incorporated the CDC’s best practices including the continued recommended  wearing of masks. From the first days of this pandemic impacting our State, the Diocese has been, and will continue to be, informed by federal and state public health experts and our own local, Catholic health resources.
 
What the Governor is allowing to expire is separate from the broader and still prudent precautionary measures which remain in place: washing and sanitizing of hands, maintaining a distance of six feet, or twenty for choirs, and other measures the Diocese has had in place since last May. Masks when in close confines, such as when we are at Mass, are still strongly encouraged to be worn by those who are able, according to the guidance we have asked all to follow.
 
While vaccines are now widely available, they should not give the false sense that no other precautions are necessary or helpful. We ask you, therefore, to continue to follow the guidance of best practices for the Celebration of Mass and other aspects of Parish life which are found on our website by clicking here for further updates.
 
Please also be aware that municipal regulations may address the wearing of masks in your community.
 

For those of us attending Mass at St. Lawrence, in order to keep everyone as safe as possible, please be aware of the following:

1. Parking your car will be the same as before, but we do ask you to not linger or socialize in the parking lot before or after Mass, exercising Social Distancing at all times.
2. Masks must be worn at all times in Church except when you receive Communion.
3. If you do not have a mask, one will be offered to you at the door.  Our quantities of masks are limited, so if you have one please bring it from home.
4. We will ask you to sanitize your hands upon entry to the Church.
5. Holy Water is not available.
6. An Offertory Collection box will be at the door, as no collection will be taken during Mass.
7. An Usher will greet you at the door and show you where to sit.  
8. Family/ household members will sit together, but the 6-foot Social Distancing guidelines must be observed between you and everyone else.
9. Given these guidelines, depending on how many individuals/ families come to Mass, our seating capacity will be greatly reduced.  If we fill the Church, anyone else arriving will be invited to our Parish Hall (downstairs) where they will be able to listen to the Mass.  We will distribute Holy Communion to those who are downstairs after we have finished with the distribution in the Church.
10. There are no Worship Aids or Song Books in the pews.   There will be no singing.  You may bring a missal from home, but please remember to take it home with you.   There are apps for your phone that can be used as Worship Aids.  You may use one of these apps but please make sure your phone is silenced during this time.   
11. The Distribution of Holy Communion at Mass will be a few minutes later in the Mass than usual.  Holy Communion will be distributed as we are leaving Church after the Final Blessing/ Dismissal rather than during the Communion Rite.  Ushers will assist you, pew by pew to go up to receive Communion. We encourage you to receive Communion in the hand.  Please keep a 6-foot distance between you and others while you are in line to receive Communion.  There are markings on the floor to help you stay 6 feet apart.
12. After receiving Communion, we are to immediately leave the Church and return to our cars.  Please be patient if your car is momentarily blocked in.  

Please email Gerry Bergeron 
GERRY@STLAWRENCEGOFFSTOWN.ORG

Please click HERE for information and updates from the Diocese.