Covid Changes, as of March 20, 2021. These have been discussed with the Parish Council:

1. The mask mandate is still in effect in Lancaster county. We will continue to observe it at Sacred Heart Church, as well.
2. We will start using the two confessionals, because there is fresh air supplied to EACH compartment, there are now plastic barriers between compartments, and penitents will use alternating sides of the confessional to allow ventilation in between people. There are signs posted to explain this.
3. The cry-room is available, only for babies and loud children, and ONE ADULT PER CHILD. After Mass, we ask the adults to sanitize the surfaces they touched.
4. We removed some ropes from the back few rows of church. If you want more separation, please sit in the front 2/3 of the church, or in the choir loft.
5. We will return the hymnals and missalettes to the pews on Palm Sunday (March 28). We will still sanitize door handles and the hand rails of the pews, but not sanitize the seats, kneelers or other low-touch surfaces. Hand sanitizer will continue to be available by the doors of the church.
6. The Holy Water fonts will remain empty for now. 100 bottles of Holy Water will be available at Easter time. We will still omit the liturgical Sign of Peace.
7. Our parish Lectors, Acolytes and Servers will be invited to resume helping out in the coming weeks.
8. We will continue to livestream the 7:30 am Mass on Sundays, as well as some weekday Masses. Go to: www.Facebook.com/sacredheartlincolnNE

Sunday Mass will be streamed at 7:30 am on our Facebook page, and will be available the rest of the day.

Please click here to see this week’s bulletin, for information specific to Sacred Heart.

Guidelines and Safety Measures for Parishioners During Reopening

For a PDF version, click here.

SPECIFIC to Lancaster County

As of May 11, 2020, parishes and religious institutions in Lancaster County are permitted to gather for the celebration of liturgies while practicing appropriate behaviors for containing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.   These guidelines are subject to change in the event of new instructions from local or state health officials and the Office of the Bishop.

General Guidelines:

• The dispensation from the Sunday and Holy Day obligation remains in place.
• Gatherings are limited to the Sacred Liturgy, so all forms of public liturgies in churches are permitted.
• All other parishes and school activities remain restricted, including after-Mass gatherings such as coffee and rolls, funeral luncheons, wedding receptions, etc. The Bishop has restricted outdoor Mass.

The following are encouraged to stay at home:

• The sick
• The elderly
• People with underlying medical conditions
• Family members who live with elderly people or those who are at risk
• People who have access to those at risk in nursing institutions
• People who have upper respiratory or flu-like symptoms
• People who live with someone with upper respiratory or flu-like symptoms
• People with COVID-19 or live with someone with COVID-19
• People who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19

Requested “Containment Practices” for those attending Mass:

• Family members sit together
• Sit in every other pew
• Cough in your sleeve
• Place your contribution envelope in the basket provided as you enter or exit the church. The ushers will not “take up the collection” during Mass
• No hand-holding during the Our Father
• Sign of Peace is omitted
• Form a single-file line with 6-foot intervals when processing forward to receive Holy Communion
• Follow the instructions of the ushers
• Avoid gathering in the vestibule or near the doors of the church following Mass
• If requested, assist with sanitizing the church and other public areas following Mass
• Attend Mass in your home parish