Dear Sisters and Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish,
 
We continue to move along in re-opening our beloved church! Now, I can announce that beginning this coming Sunday, July 5 ^th, we will once again hold the 11:30 AM Sunday Mass. This means that beginning in the month of July, we will have resumed our regular Sunday and Weekday Mass Schedule!
 
We can resume this Mass, however, only if we have on hand enough volunteers who can work with the ushers in these various ways:
 
1.         Taking the temperature of the people entering the Church. This is done by a non-invasive thermometer gun.
 
2.         Escorting people to their proper sections and seats in the Church, according to the marked space designed to practice social distancing.
 
3.         Helping to sanitize the Church at the end of the liturgy.
 
If you are able and willing to help, please call the Priory Office at 845-343-4121 and leave your name, phone number with Maggie, the Parish Secretary.
 
Please also be aware that the Archdiocesan guidelines for moving forward remain in place, namely,
 
1.         We are limited to 25% of our seating capacity, which would be about 150 persons at one time. Certain rows will be closed off and markers will show where people can go while maintain social distancing. There will be separate sections devoted for individuals, couples, small families and larger families.
 
2.         When you enter the Church, you must be wearing a mask, keeping it on the whole time, except, of course, when you receive Holy Communion. You also must sanitize your hands when you enter, and someone will be taking your temperature to help reassure everyone that you are well.
 
3.         You may place your weekly contributions in the special box in the Gathering Space when you enter the Church. We will not be passing a basket around as we usually do. This is to help protect our ushers.
 
4.          We are not allowed to use the Missalettes or Song Books.
 
5.          There can be no physical contact at the Sign of Peace. Bowing or waving would be appropriate.
 
6.          Holy Communion will be offered only in the form of Hosts. We may not share in the Chalice, and Communion can only be received in the hand, not on the tongue.
 
7.          We encourage you to make use of our Parish website, , in order to see the weekly bulletin.
 
By working with one another and following these guidelines, we help to maintain Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church as a safe place to worship the Lord and to pray. May the good God and our Blessed Mother continue to help us and protect us!
~~ Father Paul