As we continue to move forward, and hopefully move out of covid, there have been increasing numbers of people returning to our weekend Masses. That is certainly a wonderful situation! However, larger numbers of people at our Masses do present some challenges. It is still necessary to observe safe distancing from other people not of one’s same household. Maintaining that distance is why we still have every other pew closed off in both our churches.
In order to maximize the number of people we can safely accommodate we have to be conscientious about how we use the pews that ARE available for seating. The closed pews distance people front to back. But in the open pews, I ask that each person (or household group) sit ONLY 6 feet from the person to your right or to your left. Sometimes there are people at each end of a pew but a lot of empty space in the middle that could easily accommodate more people. It can be uncomfortable to approach someone in these times and ask them to move in or step out of the pew so others can get past them. While some people have special physical needs that may necessitate sitting on an aisle, for those who are able, please fill the pews from the center outward.
If you’re the first in a pew, from either end, it is more inviting and friendly to others, not to mention it avoids awkward situations, if you moved to the center, or to 6 feet from anyone already in the pew. While we all look forward to putting “social distancing” behind us, in the meantime, let’s try to be as close as IS allowable and safe as we gather to celebrate our Oneness in the Body of Christ!