We have returned to our full Mass schedule across all six of our churches. We understand that attending public liturgies may not be advisable for some. Bishop Deeley has extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and we encourage those who are most vulnerable or find it difficult to comply with the social distancing regulations, to not attend Mass in-person; rather to view our live streamed Masses on our website.

Everyone attending Mass in person is asked to follow the guidelines and protocols established by the state and the Diocese of Portland. Specific details of what to expect can be found below. Please take the time to read this important information. In addition to the steps that individuals must take to attend, we, as a parish, have extensive protocols to follow in regard to the cleaning of the church after each time the building is open to the public, including after each Mass.

As we move forward, we ask for your continued patience and understanding. This is a fluid situation, and we are certain that the guidelines and procedures that we must follow will continue to change.

• Daily Mass sign-up closes by 3pm the day before.
• Weekend Mass sign-up closes by 9am on Saturday Mornings.

• Each Mass is limited to a 50- person capacity.
• Please sign up for Mass in advance. This saves time when checking in at the door and helps to avoid any confusion.
• We kindly ask you to only sign up for no more than 2 weekend Masses a month to allow everyone who wishes to attend Mass the opportunity to do so under the current attendance restrictions.
• Sign up for Mass on our website at https://stmichaelmaine.org/signup-for-mass.
• Sign-ups will close for daily Masses by 3pm the day before.
• Sign-ups will close for weekend Masses when they are full or by 9 AM on Saturday morning.
• All members of the congregation are required to wear masks.
• Those coming to church bring their own hand sanitizer, however, we will have sanitizer available in each church.
• Bishop Deeley has extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and we encourage those who are most vulnerable, anyone who is sick or may be infected or those who find it difficult to comply with the social distancing regulations, to not attend Mass in person.
• As you wait to enter the Church, please maintain six feet of distance between you and others waiting to enter.
• As you enter the church, please sanitize your hands.
• Ushers, if available, will lead you to your seat. Seating is in every other pew, again observing social distancing (6ft minimum).
• All worship aids and hymnals have been removed from the pews. 
• Please maintain social distancing during Communion. Tape lines are on the floor to mark a six-foot distance between communicants.
• All Communion is to be distributed in the hand. Once you receive Communion in your hand, you should then step to the side (there will be an X on the floor), pull your mask away from your mouth with your other hand, place the Eucharist in your mouth, and put your mask back over your mouth before returning to your pew.
• The distribution of the shared consecrated wine for the faithful is still suspended.
• At this time, there is still no bringing of Holy Communion to the sick or homebound.
• Bishop Deeley will let us know when we will be able to resume this important ministry.
• Holy water fonts will remain empty for the time being.
• Churches will be cleaned and sanitized after each Mass.
• We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this together.