Saint Catherine and Saint Sebastian parishes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, resumed in-person Mass while still maintaining the safety of their congregations and following both local and parish rules.

Carole Poth, the cluster administrator for St. Catherine and St. Sebastian parishes, told the Wisconsin Catholic Tribune how the return to in-person Mass is progressing.

The parishes have already resumed in-person Mass, Poth said. “We’re at about 45-50% of our usual Mass attendance.” 

The parishes have put in place all the requirements to how Mass is conducted from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, she said.

The archdiocese has titled its plans for a return to in-person Mass, “The Catholic Comeback,” running in parallel to “Badger Bounce Back,” the name for the reopening plan created by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

The archdiocese is currently still in the first phase of reopening, which means that Mass attendance is limited to 25% of sanctuary capacity, the archdiocese reported on its website. Communion can only be placed on the tongue under special circumstances, and there are limitations on the number involved in serving communion, as well as on communal singing.

Special events, such as weddings, funerals, reconciliations, baptisms, first communion Mass, quinceaneras and confirmations are now permitted, but with restrictions on the number in attendance.

Funeral wakes will not be permitted until the archdiocese enters phase two, and anointing of the sick will only take place for those believed to be dying in phase one, the archdiocese said.

The archdiocese has also adopted a detailed list of directives for virtual and outdoor gatherings, with emphasis on limiting potential exposure to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

The current worship schedule for Saint Catherine Catholic Church, located at 5101 West Center Street in Milwaukee, includes a 9 a.m. Sunday Mass, with the exception of special occasions, which are listed on the parish calendar.

Daily Mass at Saint Catherine’s occurs on Tuesdays and Fridays at 8:30 a.m., with an 8:30 a.m. communion service on Thursdays.

The Saint Sebastian Catholic Church, located at 5400 West Washington Boulevard in Milwaukee, holds Sunday Mass at 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Daily Mass at Saint Sebastian’s is on Mondays at 8:15 a.m. and, when school is not in session, at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesdays. There is also an 8:30 a.m. communion service on Fridays.

The Saint Sebastian daily Masses can also be attended online on the parish website.