GUIDELINES FOR INDOOR MASS

St. Matthew Parish, Norwalk is taking precautions per the CDC and Governor Lamont’s recommendations regarding public gatherings, as well as our own precautions we feel are prudent under the circumstances. We look forward to welcoming you and your family back to mass, but please understand there are risks involved in attending a public worship in a pandemic despite all of the precautions taken by the parish and the diocese.

For the safety of all, we ask that you refrain from attending Mass if you are sick, or have recently been sick, if you have a cough, are experiencing symptoms consistent with the coronavirus, or have recently traveled by plane. Thank you for your cooperation with all of the directives that have been put in place for your safety and the safety of our clergy and your fellow worshipers. By registering for a Mass, you acknowledge you have read and agreed to the guidelines below, assuming all risks involved. Do not hesitate to call the Parish Office if you have any questions. Thank you for your patience and understanding!


Indoor Masses with a congregation: Reservations Needed

What to expect when you come to Mass

  • We will have 90-person seating capacity in the Church, therefore Reservations are required.
  • Reservations will open every Monday for the following weekend. We will email a link to all parishioners via our newsletter, and the link will be available on the website. If you need assistance with reservations, please dial ext. 120, and we are happy to help you.
  • When you arrive in the parking lot, wearing your mask and social distancing will be in effect from the time you leave your car until you return to your car after Mass. Please keep your face covering on at all times, except to receive Communion.
  • All doors and windows will be open for air circulation.
  • Once inside, we will ask that you use hand sanitizer.
  • A volunteer will guide you to your seating. Pews will be marked to ensure 6-ft distance from all directions. No seating is permitted in roped-off pews.

  • There will be no singing by the congregation – just the organist, as singing is believed to increase the spread of the virus. Thank you for your attention to this guideline.
  • The Family/Cry Room in the Church will be closed.
  • Holy water fonts are empty.
  • Communion: There will be 6-ft. markings to maintain social distancing. When you approach the Priest or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, extend your hand. The priest will place the host in your hand. Step to the side (according to the 6-ft marking), remove your mask, place the Eucharist in your mouth, and put your mask back on. Return to your seat.
  • At the conclusion of Mass, those seated in the back of the Church will exit first to ensure social distancing. After Mass, we request that you do not congregate inside the church since we will need to immediately sanitize. There will be no greeting by the priest at the door.

Sanitizing after Mass:

The Church will be sanitized after every Mass with a chemical that is chlorine-based that is sprayed on all surfaces – pews, cushions, door handles, etc. Four Volunteers from our organizations will be available after Mass to assist with cleaning.

  • The Chapel and Parish Center remain closed.

  • Baptisms: Baptisms can be scheduled on a Sunday (at 1:00pm). To arrange a Baptism date, Lorraine DeRosa, our Baptism Coordinator, will be happy to assist you: Lorraine.711@hotmail.com . All who attend Baptisms will be required to provide their name and contact information, using a sign-in log at the entrance of the Church.
  • Pre-Baptism Workshops: Our workshops will take place on Zoom. If you wish to have your child Baptized, but haven’t attended a Pre-Bap Workshop, please contact Lorraine DeRosa to schedule a time:  Lorraine.711@hotmail.com