MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR
On Wednesday, April 21, 2021 The Diocese of Fort Worth notified Good Shepherd Catholic Community that Tarrant County has reached the 75% threshold of the population who have had COVID and/or have received 1 or 2 doses of the vaccine.
Masks will no longer be required at Mass but the social distancing protocols of a physical distance of 3 feet between families and/or individuals are still in place. If there is an increase of 20% in new cases, then the mask requirement will be reinstated.
As you are aware, COVID-19 continues to be widespread. In an effort to continue to maintain a safe campus at Good Shepherd Catholic Community, we are asking all those who come to the church to review the information below.
PROTECT YOURSELF and THOSE AROUND YOU
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid close contact. Put 3 feet of distance between yourself and people who do not live in your household.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a mask or face covering. Face shields do not directly cover the mouth and nose and are not recommended.
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Clean and disinfect frequently
- Monitor your health.
SYMPTOM CHECK – Stay home if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms!
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
QUARANTINE – Stay home if you have been exposed to COVID-19
- Quarantine keeps a person who has been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. It helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows that he or she is sick or infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. When in quarantine a person should stay home, separate from others, monitor health, and follow directions from the state or local health department.
- Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should quarantine. What counts as close contact?
- You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes
- You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
- You had direct physical contact with the person
- You shared eating or drinking utensils
- Someone may have “shared” respiratory droplets with you through a sneeze or cough
- STAY HOME and monitor your health
- Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19
- If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19
All of the above information is found on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Good Shepherd Catholic Community is unable to manage who should or should not be on campus during this pandemic. We are asking all parish staff, liturgical volunteers, pastoral musicians, and members of the congregation to be aware of their own daily health situation. We ask that you do a self-health screen before coming to the Church and to stay home if you are exhibiting any of the symptoms outlined above.
If you or your household have been exposed to COVID-19 you should not work, volunteer, or attend liturgical services at Good Shepherd Catholic Community for 14 days since your last contact with the person who has COVID-19.
Below is an important update regarding Liturgical Adaptations for all liturgical gatherings at Good Shepherd Catholic Community. Please be sure to read the entire communication.
Through improvisation, trial, and error we have been doing our best accommodate the restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining a true warm, welcoming, and prayerful experience for all. It is important to know that we will continue to have restrictions, as directed by the Diocese of Fort Worth; however, we are prepared to update and implement some of our processes.
Please click the links below for complete schedule
Weekend Mass Schedule
Daily Mass Schedule
Sacrament of Reconciliation Schedule
Eucharistic Adoration
Masks and Face Coverings
On Wednesday, April 21, 2021 The Diocese of Fort Worth notified Good Shepherd Catholic Community that Tarrant County has reached the 75% threshold of the population who have had COVID and/or have received 1 or 2 doses of the vaccine. Masks will no longer be required at Mass but the social distancing protocols of a physical distance of 3 feet between families and/or individuals are still in place. If there is an increase of 20% in new cases, then the mask requirement will be reinstated. If you are more comfortable wearing a mask, then please continue to do so.
Entrance for Liturgical Events
The main wooden doors near the bell tower is the entrance that will be used for all liturgical gatherings hosted at Good Shepherd. The porte-cochere entrance (covered entranced) is only accessible for those with special needs. All will enter the Church through the monumental doors.
Seating in the Church
The assembly will be welcomed to seat themselves beginning 30 minutes before each scheduled liturgical gathering. Please make use of the hand sanitizer units in the Narthex before moving to your seat. Fill in from the center of each section so others will not have to climb over you to enter the row. Individuals and family units are asked to separate themselves with the appropriate amount of space for social distancing.
Opening Procession
For weekend and daily Masses, the procession should only include the Cross Bearer, Altar Servers, and Clergy. Lectors should be seated near the Ambo at the beginning of Mass.
Proclamation of the Word
Lectors are not required to wear masks or face coverings when proclaiming the Word at the Ambo. However, hand sanitizer should be applied before stepping up to the Ambo as lectors will have to touch the Lectionary. Also, please do not adjust the microphone.
Gift Bearers of Bread and Wine
At this time, there will be no procession of the gifts of bread and wine during the Preparation of the Gifts. The bread and wine will continue to be placed on the credence table before the start of Mass.
Offertory/Collection
The collection baskets will not be passed during Mass. Collection stations will be made available before and after Mass in the Narthex. You will have the opportunity to drop-off your weekend offering and any non-perishable items that you would like to donate to our local outreach partners.
Distribution of Holy Communion
Holy Communion will only be distributed on the palm of your hand.
Exiting the Church at the Conclusion of Mass
The assembly is asked to remain in their row until the clergy have left the Church. The ushers will open all doors to assist is exiting the Church. Please do not gather in the Narthex; all in attendance are asked to immediately exit to the outside of the building to minimalize clogging the Church and Narthex areas.
Disinfecting the Church
After any gathering held in the Church, a small group of volunteers will remain behind to appropriately disinfect the area. Each pew and chair will be sprayed with disinfectant. The same process will be used in the Narthex and Parish Hall as needed.
Overflow Seating
The Parish Hall has been set-up for overflow seating. At this time, it can only appropriately accommodate up to 200 people. This space will only be opened if needed. Seating is also welcomed in the chairs located in the Narthex.
Visitation Ministry
Those participating in Visitation Ministry will need to form a line outside of the Eucharistic Reservation Chapel at the conclusion of Mass (weekend or daily). Please follow the social distancing markers on the tiles. The sacristan will be available to assist you.
Live-streaming
Most weekend and daily Masses will continue to be livestreamed until all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.
Reconciliation
Appropriate social distancing markers have been placed on the tiles. When you enter the confessional, be sure to close the door behind you. While in the confessional you are asked to remain behind the screen and to remain standing. The church is not disinfected after Reconciliation, so we ask you to please exit immediately following your session. Masks or face coverings are required.
Liturgical Ministry Updates
Each liturgical ministry will have its newest updates sent out to the appropriate rosters later this week. These updates will also be posted on the large white board in the Narthex. Please note that Planning Center Services has now resumed auto-scheduling. Be sure to accept or decline all assignment notifications. Also, please make sure that your block-out dates are current.
“The faithful are dispensed from the obligation to attend and to participate in Sunday Mass. There are still legitimate threats to our health from the highly contagious COVID-19 virus; these threats are especially critical for the elderly and for people with a compromised immune system because of other pre-existing conditions.” – Bishop Michael F. Olson. Please use the following link to access other coronavirus precautions and resources provided by the Diocese of
Fort Worth: https://fwdioc.org/coronavirus-precautions.