Dear Faithful,
With Governor Abbott's Phase I starting on May 1st, Bishop Strickland has given permission for a return to the normal Mass schedule with attendance up to 25% of the church's seating capacity, sanitization between liturgies, and social distancing protocols.
Since this is a constantly changing situation, please
check catholicnac.org for updates on procedures, schedules, etc.
Here is the absolutely essential information for you:
The dispensation for the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays still stands. Therefore, nobody is required to come to Mass at this time.
We strongly encourage those in high risk demographics or who live or regularly interact with someone in a high risk demographic to stay at home and watch the broadcast Mass (9:30am in English and 10:30am in Spanish). At Sacred Heart only we will have the side entrance and the section of pews near the choir reserved for those in higher risk demographics.
DO NOT COME if you have any of the following new or worsening signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19: Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit, known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19.
Mass attendance will be sign up only. To sign up you or your family to attend Mass, please go to
https://signup.com/go/ezdkDgJ or email (office@catholicnac.org) or call (936-564-7807) the office.
Please bring your own mask to cover your nose and mouth
Social distancing between households should be maintained from the time you enter the property until the time you leave it. Every other pew will be blocked off and pews will be marked every 6' for households to be able to maintain their own distance.
Communion will be different with social distancing precautions. Please follow the guidance of the ushers.
Bishop Strickland strongly encourages people to receive communion on the hand during this time.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to avoid everyone rushing in at the same time, and go immediately to your pew.
After Mass, ushers will dismiss you in stages. Please follow their instructions.
If you wanted to come to a Sunday Mass but could not come due to limited capacity, you are welcome to come to any of the daily Masses that we have planned throughout the week.
I will be going live on Facebook tonight (Wed, April 29) at 7:30pm in English and 8:30pm in Spanish to answer any questions that you may have.
Below you can find:
- The Mass, Adoration, and Confession schedule for Catholic Nacogdoches.
- Our behind the scenes sanitization procedures.
- Ways that you can help.
Thanks so much for your patience as we all learn how to deal with this new situation. You all continue in my prayers. Please pray for me!
In Christ and Mary,
Fr. George Elliott