COVID Updates

New Expectations for Leading Ministry Gatherings on Campus during the Pandemic will go into effect on May 3rd . 

We are beginning a process to phase out some of the COVID restrictions for ministry gatherings on campus.  Please read the updated Expectations for Leading Ministry Gatherings on Campus above. 
Here are the highlights:

• We encourage ministry team leaders to return to in-person gatherings.  
• Create environments mindful of social distances.  Ministry leaders should exercise pastoral prudence and be mindful of ministry participants in any set-up or environment.
• Group size restriction has been removed.
• Masks continue to be required on campus at this time. 
• Communal food or drink is still not to be coordinated or served at ministry gatherings on campus.

Parish leadership continues discussions for the best plan to phase out restrictions and looks forward to when all restrictions are removed. Thanks for your ongoing patience, dedication, and creativity as a ministry team leader.  Please read the full document above.

Ministry leaders have been asking whether it was acceptable to coordinate/guide individuals participants to bring their own food and BYOB to events for the purpose of a communal meal.  The original COVID guidelines by the parish indicated individuals could bring their own food for personal consumption.  However, this was included in the guidelines to allow space for individuals with special circumstances that would sustain the normal bodily needs of an individual. (Ex: a person with blood-sugar issues may need to snack, a person running late could finish their dinner,  a thirsty person could drink water, etc.).  It was not meant to mean ministry coordination of individuals to bring their own food/drink to the event.  At this stage of the pandemic, wearing a mask continues to be the best way to reduce the spread of the virus.  Therefore, ministries are not to encourage communal meal-sharing of all participants at events on-site, even when they bring their own food.   The clause about bringing food for individual use was removed from the guidelines to reduce confusion.

Updated Oct 5, 2020:
All ministries (not just formation, prayer, & worship) able eligible to schedule in-person ministry gatherings on the St. Gabriel campus….

a) IF there is sufficient space  (Priority goes to worship, prayer, and formational gatherings, followed by order of request.)   AND

Prior to promoting a gathering, ministry leaders should…                                

1. Review the Expectations for Leading Ministry Gatherings on St. Gabriel Campus during Pandemic (For Ministry Leaders) (attached). Consider the application of the expectation to your ministries gathering and use discretion as to whether your ministry can/should continue to meet in alternate ways. Create a plan to be able to follow all expectations.
2. When for planning gatherings with Children & Youth: Contact the following staff members prior to scheduling space on campus to discuss gathering plans.  Final approval is necessary prior to scheduling. 
   • Children Ages 0 to Grade 5: Page Sanders psanders@stgabriel.org 972-542-7170 x228
   • Youth Grades 6 thru 12: Lori Miller lmiller@stgabriel.org 972-542-7170x226
3. Schedule ministry gathering meeting space with Pam Criss. The calendar will be updated, and facilities notified. Prepare to affirm the ministry gathering can meet the expectations.   
4. Promote your gathering as normal, but also send attendees this Participant Handout (attached).

This plan is our effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, balanced with the spiritual needs of our parishioners.  We understand the exact needs and circumstances of a ministry are best known by each ministry leader. Please contact Matt Decker for questions/consultation about the application of these expectations or submit a special exception request.    We continue to monitor/ navigate the challenges of these unprecedented times and have great hope for the day when these COVID restrictions can be removed.  Continue steadfastly in prayer.  Thanks for your dedication to the ministry here at St. Gabriel and thanks for your patience.

Updated: 10/5/2020

For Ministry Participants: Participant Handout      For Ministry Leaders: Expectations for Leading Ministry Gatherings  

Details regarding Liturgy at St Gabriel:

• All regularly scheduled Masses will resume: 5pm (Saturday), 9am, 11am, 5:30pm (Sunday)
• The 5pm Mass will continue to be livestreamed to our website and facebook page and available all day on Sunday
• All doors will be propped open before and after Mass
• Participants must wear facial coverings when entering the building (per the McKinney order July 1)
  • You should remove the face covering when receiving communion.
  • We encourage you to bring your own hand sanitizer to use before receiving communion
• Social distancing of 6 feet must be maintained throughout the Mass.
  • Every other pew is marked as “no seating” and everyone must sit six feet apart except those living in the same household.
  • You are encouraged to move to the middle of the row to allow others sit down without squeezing past.
• You will not need to RSVP for Mass. We will have overflow space in the Community Center if we reach our capacity in the Worship Space.
• Liturgy will not include hand shaking at the Sign of Peace, the Chalice at Communion, or holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer (unless in the same household).
• Communion is available outside the front doors for those uncomfortable with entering the building
  • Please be prepared to be under the covered walkways next to the front doors 40 minutes into Mass.
  • A minister of Communion will come outside to distribute communion.
• Communicants should receive in the hand. This is a charity to your neighbor, the Priest and the Minister of Holy Communion
• The church building will be cleaned and disinfected after each Mass. We ask that you exit the building quickly after Mass so we can disinfect all the spaces.

Bishop Burns of the Dallas Diocese has allowed Phase 3 of Reopening to begin June 27/28, 2020. This includes public weekend Mass at 50% capacity.