We are excited to be able to welcome you back! Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we make our way back to the in-person celebration of the Mass. All of us need to do our part to make sure that our return to Mass is an orderly and safe experience for all.
Update: November 2021
Reinstatement of Mass Obligation: August 15, 2021
Click here to read the Archbishop’s full statement.
MDP will continue to stream the 8:00 AM daily Mass Monday through Saturday, as well as the Sunday 10:30 AM Mass. Visit www.facebook.com/mdpparish to view the livestream. No Facebook account needed.
Safety Procedures
At the recommendation of the CDC, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and our MDP St. Zita Cleaning Volunteers, a few changes will be made to our procedures, beginning immediately:
- Masks are no longer required but are recommended regardless of vaccination status.
- Holy Water will be available in the fonts at the entrances of church. The water will be changed weekly.
- Rocks will no longer be necessary as pew markers for daily Mass.
- Music books have been reinstated.
- Regarding sanitation:
- Pews will be cleaned on Saturday mornings after 8:00 AM Mass.
- Bathrooms and doors will be sanitized Saturday mornings after 8:00 AM Mass and Sunday mornings after the 10:30 AM Mass, and possibly mid-week if needed.
- For special events such as funerals and weddings, bathrooms and doors will be sanitized. Pews will not be especially sanitized before and after these events.
- The number of guests at Baptisms will no longer be limited.
- We will offer Baptisms every other weekend (usually the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month).
- All church doors will be opened for your entrance.
- A Knight of Columbus will no longer spray your hands with hand sanitizer upon your entrance or in the Communion line. Hand sanitizer will remain available at the entrances of the church and in the Communion line. Please bring your own hand sanitizer if you would like.
- There will be no restrictions on liturgical singing or musicians.
- Every pew is available for seating.
The following measures are still in place:
- The sign of peace is still suspended.
- The distribution of the Precious Blood is still suspended.
The CDC says the following about sanitation of surfaces in regards to COVID-19: “In most situations, the risk of infection from touching a surface is low. The most reliable way to prevent infection from surfaces is to regularly wash hands or use hand sanitizer.” The CDC emphasizes the difference between cleaning and disinfecting/sanitizing. According to the CDC, “Cleaning with products containing soap or detergent reduces germs on surfaces by removing contaminants and may also weaken or damage some of the virus particles, which decreases risk of infection from surfaces.” The CDC recommends concentrating sanitation efforts to high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, railings, etc.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html
We are thrilled to see more and more of our parishioners back at Mass each weekend, and we continue to keep your safety and comfort in mind. We extend a special thank you to our St. Zita Cleaning Volunteers who continue to assist us each weekend.
Click here to read Cardinal Robert Sarah’s letter “Returning with Joy.”