COVID Response

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic impact, all parishes have had to purchase either Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), disinfectant and cleaning supplies, higher grade filters, and/or live streaming and sound equipment in order to continue to serve parishioners during the pandemic. To meet our needs at All Saints in protecting and serving our parishioners during Mass and other parish events, we have spent nearly $20,000 to date on these needed items. Although we have no guarantee that we will be reimbursed from FEMA for any of these expenses, we are still submitting a request to FEMA for possible reimbursement.  We do not anticipate that we will receive reimbursement for all expenses. Therefore, we are also asking all parishioners to please consider a special donation to specifically help with these pandemic-related expenses, which funds were mostly taken from our Building Fund/Parish Repairs to date. Donations can be made on-line at www.dmallsaints.org through WeShare under Parish Repairs, or by sending in a check designating it is for Parish Repairs - COVID-19 pandemic donation. Any help with this is greatly appreciated.
 
 

AAll Saints Parishioners:
Per the Diocese and All Saints Regathering Guidelines – Phase 1, All Saints resumed 8:00 AM weekday Masses starting June 11, 2020. The weekday Masses are at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and 5:45 PM on Wednesday. Phase 2, All Saints weekend Masses will resume June 27, 2020 at 4:00 PM and June 28, 2020 at 9:00 AM only, due to time needed to disinfect the church after Mass. The obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains suspended. These guidelines are subject to change and will be in effect as we move to Phase 3 parish life starting July 5, 2020, or until an escalation of the COVID-19 outbreak warrants a return to the state of all public Masses being suspended. Following are the guidelines:

1. Participating at Mass is a health risk for any individual. For those who do not attend Mass during this time God’s infinite grace and mercy remain abundantly available.
2. Parishioners should be reminded often that the Sunday obligation remains suspended, and that vulnerable individuals, individuals who live with vulnerable individuals, and those who are ill or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 like symptoms should not attend Mass. For now, livestreaming will still be made available.
3. Parishioners are encouraged to cultivate an occasional presence when attending Mass, and not a daily presence. This is an act of charity toward others, as it can allow more people to participate in weekday Mass and better serves the common good.
4. Parishioners should only attend Mass at their own parish. Traveling to neighboring parishes creates a greater health risk for all, and hinders the Diocese in its efforts to make the sacraments publicly available in the safest way possible.
5. Social distancing must be maintained throughout the Mass. This includes a six feet social distance between one family/household unit and another. Individuals who did not arrive in the same car must sit six feet apart. We will facilitate this by blocking alternate pews and/or sections, and asking one household unit to sit per pew. Due to this Diocese policy, if we reach maximum capacity and parishioners are still arriving for Mass, some may be asked to attend another time.
6. Parishioners are encouraged to enter and exit the parish in a staggered fashion, to avoid a bottleneck or congregating before or after Mass.
7. During the reception of Holy Communion, a single communion line should be formed with at least six feet of distance between family units, including when leaving the pews. Holy Communion will only be received on the hand and not on the tongue. When approaching Holy Communion, parishioners are to bow, after responding with the usual “Amen”, place their hands out in the usual manner to receive the Host, step to the side, pull their mask down, place the Host in their mouth, and pull the mask back up. The consecrated Host must NOT be taken back to the pew to be consumed. Distribution from the chalice of wine to the assembly is absolutely forbidden.
8. Parishioners are encouraged to take their temperature and should not be ill before travelling to Mass. When attending Mass, parishioners over the age of five, who do not have a medical or psychological condition prohibiting mask use, are required to wear a mask during Mass and while in the building.
9. No basket will be passed during Mass for collection. A common depository such as a basket at each door and/or use of the lock-box outside the gathering space door will be made available for parishioners’ offerings to be placed as they arrive or depart Mass.
10. No bulletins will be handed out after Mass. Bulletins are available on the All Saints website.

11. Hand sanitizers will be provided at each entrance. Parishioners are expected to use it before entering Mass.
12. Holy water fonts are to remain empty until further notice.
13. All hymnals have been removed from all pews.
14. No one should shake hands, exchange hugs, or in any way make physical contact with each other. There are to be no social gatherings whatsoever after Mass.
15. The church, gathering space, and restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected prior to each Mass using directives provided by the Diocese via CDC guidelines.                              (11/11/20)

ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH
MASS AND EVENTS REGATHERING PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES
Effective July 5, 2020, Phase 3 of regathering for all Masses and parish events began. The following protocols and procedures apply to all, as set forth in part by CDC requirements:

• All activities will be scheduled through the parish secretary detailing specific needs for the Mass or event in order for maintenance personnel to set-up and prepare the space with proper social distancing protocols. Designated areas may be roped off to control areas needing disinfecting after each Mass or event.
• Leaders must help promote healthy behaviors that reduce the spread of contagious disease, and should implement strategies to encourage behaviors that reduce the spread of contagious disease among attendees.
• Attendees should be advised about when they should stay home especially if they are feeling sick or have a fever. The average age of attendees needs to be taken into consideration. Individuals over the age of 60 are at a higher health risk if they contract contagious disease and should be advised to not attend an event.
• Attendees should use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and rub their hands until dry. Hand sanitizer will be provided at each entrance and each meeting room being used.
• It is required that all attendees over the age of five, who do not have a medical or psychological condition prohibiting mask use, wear a face mask, especially when physical distancing is difficult. Face masks are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected but does not have symptoms.
• Consider the duration of the event. The longer the event, the potential exposure to contagious disease is increased. When possible shorten the length of events, which will also help mitigate the risk of contagious disease exposure.
• The ability for proper social distancing during the Mass or event, which is to maintain a minimum of 6 feet distance between household units, is imperative. Host events in the largest space possible, which will help mitigate the risk of contagious disease. Limit attendance or seating capacity to allow for social distancing, or host smaller events in larger rooms.
• Until further notice, serving refreshments at parish gatherings are prohibited, as food and drinks handled by multiple people, especially buffets, can create additional risks for

• Only use the designated area prepared for the Mass or event. Maintenance personnel will be responsible to not only set up the space as needed within social distancing guidelines, but will also be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting the specific area after each use. Gloves and masks will be worn when spraying the disinfectant on all areas used. This includes restrooms and all high-tough areas, as well as proper cleaning and sanitizing of floors, mops and mats. (See additional guidelines provided by the Diocese and CDC.)
• Employees are responsible for disinfecting their own work areas after use.

(See Rental Policy and Facility User Agreement Addendum)                                                                                                                                                                                                
(11/11/20)

DIOCESE MASK MANDATE
As you are aware, in the State of Iowa and in our country the incidence of infection, hospitalization, and mortality due to the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 is rising significantly just as we as enter the holiday and winter seasons. Per the Diocese, effective immediately, it is necessary to require face masks or coverings at all public Masses, sacramental celebrations, and other events in Church buildings in the Diocese of Des Moines. This diocesan requirement applies to all those over the age of five, who do not have a medical or psychological condition prohibiting mask use. A personal preference opposed to mask use, or the belief that masks are not effective, does not qualify as a condition exempting one from mask use. This requirement extends through February 2, 2021 (The Feast of the Presentation), at which time it will be reviewed. See the Diocese of Des Moines website for more information at: https://www.dmdiocese.org/resources/worship/coronavirus/regathering.