St. Patrick Parish in Mosinee, has reopened its doors for in-person Mass with a number of guidelines in place to protect churchgoers against the spread of COVID-19.

“The parishioners are coming back slowly,” a representative of St. Patrick said. “It's not what it was, but we do have folks coming.”

Public Mass will only be celebrated on Sundays, including Saturday Mass, with no more than three scheduled.

“The faithful should be aware that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains dispensed until further notice,” state the directives from the Diocese of LaCrosse.

Attendance at each Mass gathering will be limited to 25% occupancy with social distancing in place — six feet between individuals, a minimum of using every other pew or every third pew, and gathering-area tables and chairs have been placed in storage.

“We have a 65-person limit,” the parish representative said. “Per the Bishops' guidelines, face masks are worn, sanitizing stations are throughout the church and every third pew is blocked off. There must be six-feet of distance going to communion.”

Following state guidelines, hand sanitizer will be available at all church entrances and exits, as well as in the aisles for use prior to receiving communion. Holy Water fonts and baptismal fonts will remain empty.

“The faithful should be reminded that at this time no one is obliged to receive communion, and that Christ is encountered in those gathered in his name, in the proclamation of the Word, and especially by joining themselves to the offering of Christ to God the Father during the Eucharistic Prayer,” the directives state. “The benefits of Spiritual Communion should continue to be promoted.”

Parishes will also be adhering to the following CDC recommendations: all paper resources including Missals, hymnals and prayer cards will be removed from the pews and there will be online worship aids provided; entrance doors will be propped open to limit contact with door handles, either by ushers or door stoppers; restrooms will be cleaned between Masses; and frequently touched surfaces such as pews, door handles and microphones will be cleaned and sanitized after every liturgy.

There are also directions for dismissal after Mass to provide an orderly exit with proper social distancing, either by section, pew-by-pew or otherwise, and attendees will be advised to wash their clothes following a service. Mass attendance will be organized in one of three ways, depending on the parishes’ congregation: designated Mass times by household name, a sign-up system either on the parish website or by calling the parish office for an assigned Mass time per registered family.

There will not be any walk-in attendance, as parishes will need to adhere to guidelines and meet occupancy requirements.

Visit the Diocese of LaCrosse’s website for a full list of guidelines and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website for more information.