From the Desk of Father Nathan

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people who are close to my heart!

CHURCH OPENING

There is light at the end of the tunnel! St. Gabriel Church, like all other churches in our country, has been closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. But now things are looking better and we will begin to open our Church in stages. Each of these stages will be done in accordance with the conditions in Pompano Beach,

Government Advisories, Archbishop Wenski, and the best health and safety practices available to us at the time.

It is important to note that we have made every attempt to make the opening of St. Gabriel Church as smooth and safe as possible.

But we know that whatever method we use to open the church, there will always be room for improvement. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. I am open to that.

The planned Five Stages of Openings are briefly described here:

STAGE 1 – Daily and Weekend Masses will be conducted in our Parking Lot starting on May 26 Tuesday. The Altar will be placed in front of the Double Doors of the Parish Hall. Parishioners will park their cars in the Parking Lot facing the Altar. This will require some cars to back into the parking spaces. Two methods will be available for people to hear the Mass: Live Streaming the Mass via Facebook and zoom using a Smart Phone, and Loud Speakers for those who do not have Smart Phones.

STAGE 2 – This will essentially be the same as Stage 1, except that the audio will be broadcast over a low power AM Radio Station, and can be received over any car radio. The broadcast equipment will not be available for at least a month, and will be implemented as soon as possible.

STAGE 3 – This will be implemented to handle a larger number of people and will include indoor seating in the Parish Hall with social distancing and individual face masks for parishioners. A disinfectant will be used between Masses to assure parishioner safety. For those who prefer to be more isolated, they may stay in their cars to continue the Stage 2 Protocol.

STAGE 4 – This will move the Mass from the Parking Lot/Parish Hall into the Church, and will be done in accordance with social distancing and face masks for all parishioners. A disinfectant will be used between Masses to assure parishioner safety.

STAGE 5 – In this final stage, things will be back to normal, or as normal as they can be. This Stage will only be entered into when there is a Vaccine and/or proven treatments with adequate testing available for all.

COMMUNION:

During Stages 1 & 2, Communion will be served at the end of Mass by the Pastor, Deacon and Eucharistic Ministers. They will be positioned at designated Exits of the Parking Lot.

During Stage 3, Communion will be served by the Pastor and Deacon in the Parish Hall. Eucharistic Ministers will serve Communion at designated Exits of the Parking Lot.

During Stages 4 & 5, Communion will be served in the traditional way in the Church.

COLLECTIONS

During Stages 1-4, Collections will be made by the Ushers as cars are exiting the Parking Lot, alongside the Eucharistic Ministers serving Communion.

You can always continue using online giving.

CHURCH OPENING:

As an option for parishioners who are comfortable using their computer/smart phones, online giving is very much appreciated and encouraged. Please Look for Directions elsewhere on our Web Site.

CONFESSIONS: 

Confessions will be held in the church hall every Saturday from 2:00 to 3:15.  Only one person at a time will be allowed in the hall, and of course, Fr. Nathan will have the two chairs set up for social distancing.  You will have to wait outside the door until the previous person comes out.  Please bring a mask to wear. Walk in confession or on appointment is always available.

Obviously, we’ll be tweaking these plans as we go.  Most other churches are scrambling to figure out their own plans.  Undoubtedly, the priests will be in touch with each other comparing notes, offering suggestions and letting each other know what does and does not work for them. 

SNAP SHOT + Mass Times

Stage 1- Start:

            – Daily Mass, 8:00 AM, May 26, 2020

            – Weekend Masses:

                        – Saturday, May 30, 4:00 PM

                        – Sunday, May 31, 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 AM

Stages 2- 5:   To be Announced

Please follow the website for the updates…. 

May God Bless You All.

Please Stay Safe and healthy!

Ever at your service.

– With lots of love and blessing,

—Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan