Our first concern is to protect vulnerable populations in our community, especially those in our own SMdP parish family. If you need help, please do not hesitate to reach out to us with your specific needs (such as running errands, picking up prescriptions, etc.) by sending a note to outreach@saintmartindp.org. Additionally, if you are not in the high-risk group and are willing to support a parishioner in need during this time, please send a note to outreach@saintmartindp.org. As needs arise, an email request will be shared.
A dedicated web page has been created in English and Spanish for the faithful of the Diocese of Fort Worth as well as the general public. Please visit this page for information about Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please click the picture below to access it.
As a reminder, ALL persons in the Diocese of Fort Worth remain dispensed from their obligation to attend Mass on Sundays, and Holy Days of Obligation for the foreseeable future. No one is committing a sin, mortal or venial, for not attending Mass regardless of the reason.
CLICK HERE to read Bishop Olson's June 26 Pastoral Letter
We will follow our regular Mass schedule with 50% occupancy restrictions in place (per the Governor’s order). Social distancing will be reduced from 6ft to 3ft. Families may sit together, but individuals MUST sit a minimum of 3ft apart. Please follow the instructions of the ushers when finding seats, coming forward for Holy Communion, and upon dismissal so we can ensure safe distancing. PLEASE DO NOT congregate before or after Mass either inside or outside. As a reminder, the 7:30am Sunday Mass is RESERVED FOR THE AT-RISK POPULATION (ages 65 and older, and those with underlying health issues).
With the understanding that Bishop Olson's Letters fall within the category of a Decree (Can. 48, 49), the necessity to wear a face covering or mask in order to attend Mass will be enforced. We do not wish to turn away anyone seeking to attend Mass. A disposable, single-use mask will be provided to persons upon entering St. Martin de Porres Parish if they are not already wearing one. As a reminder, during these unusual times, the obligation to attend Mass has been lifted for everyone. No one is committing a sin through their absence from Mass. Please continue to pray for an end to this pandemic and for the safety of our medical personnel.
Once we reach 50% capacity in the parish hall, nobody else will be permitted to enter. If you come in and there is a seat available, while respecting social distancing, you are welcome to be seated. However, if no seats are available, you will need to wait for the next Mass or in your car - nobody will be permitted to stand in the narthex or the hall.
Holy Communion will no longer be distributed outside. However, if you are Homebound, and wish to receive Holy Communion in your home, please send an email to outreach@saintmartindp.org.
Holy Communion will be distributed ONLY in the hand for the foreseeable future. When you come up to receive the host in your hand, keep distance, then use one hand to pull your mask down before picking up the host to consume it. Then return your mask to its proper place before walking back to your seat or car. We ask that you wait patiently as the Ushers direct you, so that proper social distancing can be maintained.
We have temporarily shut down our water fountains, but our restrooms are available.
During this Pandemic, it is NOT AN OBLIGATION to physically attend Mass, especially for those over the age of 60, their caretakers, the immunocompromised, those who are feeling ill, or those who may have been exposed to COVID-19. We request that you NOT ATTEND, so we can continue to protect the vulnerable around us.
Confessions will be held on Saturdays from noon to 3pm. For safety, we will temporarily move confessions to the school lobby, the entrance is located by the flagpoles.
We are following our regular Eucharistic Adoration schedule.