INTERIM MASS PROTOCOL FOR ACOLYTES 05-06-20

PREPARATION PRIOR TO MASS *Reminder: There will be no altar servers . Prior to coming to the church, please take your own temperature at home (if >100°F, please stay home). . Wash your hands after you vest, prior to assembling the Celebrant’s chalice, handling any of the sacred vessels or doing anything on the altar . Place the Celebrant’s chalice and all ciboria (with unconsecrated hosts), and the filled water and wine cruets on the credence table (there will be no offertory) . Light all candles on the altar, next to the tabernacle, and at the pulpit . Place the Roman Missal and the 3-ring binder with the Nicene Creed on the altar (the priest will say the Opening Prayer and Collect, and Concluding Rite from the altar; the Acolytes will not be holding the book) . Ensure the Ablution Cup(s) are filled with fresh water; one each for the Celebrant and Acolytes

SERVING THE MASS Procession . The Primary Acolyte will process with the cross, as per normal – the Assisting Acolyte will process behind him . The Primary Acolyte will be seated in the chair next to the Celebrant’s chair as per normal (the chairs will be placed six feet apart); the Assisting Acolyte will be seated on one of the chairs next to the credence table

Introductory Rite . The Acolyte seated at the credence table will extinguish the two lit candles at the pulpit after the conclusion of the intercessory prayers (which is the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word)

Liturgy of the Eucharist . Both Acolytes will set the altar as per normal . The Primary Acolyte will kneel at the chair next to the Celebrant’s chair, and the Assisting Acolyte will kneel on the steps and ring the bells during consecration (unless beforehand the Acolytes agree to change this); when ringing the bells the Acolyte should: - Ring the bell once for the epiclesis (when the priest calls down the Holy Spirit by extending his hands over the gifts during the Eucharistic Prayer) - Ring the bell three times each for the elevation of the Host and the chalice . After the Eucharistic Prayer, at the start of the Our Father, the Acolyte kneeling on the steps can take their place back at the credence table . There will be no Sign of Peace . The Primary Acolyte should retrieve the ciboria with consecrated hosts from the Tabernacle, as per normal . For the distribution of Holy Communion, the Acolytes should: - Put on their face mask (unless you are opting to wear it for the entire Mass) - Sanitize their hands when they rise from kneeling after the priest consumes the Precious Blood - Receive the Eucharist in their hands; The Acolytes will not receive the Precious Blood - The Celebrant will distribute from the center of the main aisle (alternating for both main sections) and the two Acolytes will distribute from the far aisles . After communion, immediately wash your hands in the Ablution Cup and sanitize them using hand sanitizer

Concluding Rite . The Celebrant will say the Concluding Rite and final blessing from the altar . Both Acolytes will process out of church as per normal

AFTER MASS . Wash your hands . Extinguish all candles and remove all ciboria and cruets from the credence table . Pour water from the Ablution Cups into the sacrarium sink in the Sacristy, wash the cups with soapy water, and leave them empty to dry on the counter adjacent to the sacrarium sink, for the Acolytes at the next Mass to fill and return